Walking around Sibiu, felt like big brother surveillance, remnants from the recent past, life under Ceaușescu, when telephones were bugged, people questioned and blacklisted. Mysterious disappearances. Were these another part of the dictator's internal security?
Nothing as sinister as that, the windows are slits in the shingle roof, giving the appearance of dark openings at their centre.
They were designed to allow ventilation, and shield against sunlight of the attic space where residents and merchants would store provisions such as meat, cheese, and grain.
Romania has one of the the most corrupt governments in Europe; as monitored by Transparent International.
In 2017, thousands of people in Romania came out to protest, when the newly elected government moved to decriminalise corruption and put legislation in place that would help politicians escape investigation.
Under the slogan "Vă vedem", "The eyes" was adopted as their sign of peaceful protest.
But let's be honest here, the whole of the unelected bureaucracy of the eu is corrupt, so good luck with your local protests, I wish you every success. Vă vedem !
Simple, but fantastic statements on Walls
Silent protests are never heard, but it is a start.
Touristic Sibiu
Arriving in the city late afternoon, I didn't bother wandering much further than the main square area. It had been a long day.
Liar's Bridge. legend says that if you told a lie whilst on the bridge it would collapse, beneath you. I tried it out. " I have a 12" penis, but don't use it as a rule". I made it to the other side. Boom Boom! I'm here all week.
It's also a place where lovers who may or may not be head over heels, would meet to declare their love, and as is common in recent times attach padlocks to it as a symbol of their undying affection.
I buy my padlocks in bulk, can't for the life of we understand why they never get used.
So walking up to the town square some locally made figures and a 'book shop" with an "honesty box" where you donate not pay. never seen anything like that before.
The warmth of the early evening sun, bringing the locals out
Time for me to take a seat and contemplate the universe, watch the world go by, plan a protest, or just imbibe some beer.
In similar squares in Western Europe you would be paying circa 10 euros for this; here? 2.50 euros, for the privilege.
Now my thoughts on this are the more I quaff the cheaper the travel, surely that makes economic sense?
So having saved myself 30 euros refreshing my thirst I staggered strolled on.
Some see exotic ice cream all manner of flavours available.
I see a mountain of sugar and E numbers, uncontrollable hyperactive kids being slowly poisoned.
I left the main streets and followed the lens, nope not a clue where I was going, nor what I was going to snap. That's the appeal to me of being a traveller.
Unlucky for some!
...and so full circle back where we were an hour or so ago......
.......time to save some more money, it's beer o'clock again!