We squeeze into a packed minivan in Brasov for a boring, eight-hour ride to the city of Timisoara. Marilynn and I expect a short stay at that city, which seems a necessary stop to make travel arrangements on the way to Belgrade, Serbia.

Our first view of Timisoara from Excelsior Hotel
Our hotel sits out of the way on a dark, dreary, dirty street. Hooded silhouette figures of humans lurk on the sidewalks at night during our walk to find a restaurant. We’re lost. An old man’s elderly dog barely makes it across the cable car tracks before the train misses his ass by six-inches. The man scowls at me?

Ham hock and sauerkraut
Finally, we find “Casa Bunicii” where I enjoy roasted duck over duck fat marinated cabbage with spätzle. Mare orders porcini mushroom spätzle in a cream sauce seasoned with sage, leeks, and garlic. Delicious! However, a ham hock from city center is more photogenic.

Metropolitan Cathedral
A short walk in the light of morning reveals a bright, new world of fabulous architecture, parks, gardens, and three public squares.

Libertatii Square
Timisoara sits at the crossroads of East and West, bordering Hungary, and Serbia. The region’s motto, “Tolerance and Understanding,” excites and refreshes us – a couple of Americans a long way from home, during a tumultuous time.

The Serbian side of Unirii Square
Renewed energy, along with pedestrian walkways through the city squares, surrounded by diverse architecture, restaurants, bars, and friendly people, convince us to extend our stay.

The Roman Catholic dome of Uritii Square
This melting pot of different cultural heritages has never experienced an ethnic or religious conflict. It was the first city to revolt free of Communism in 1989, after the fall of the Berlin wall.

A Painting in a Restaurant…draw your own conclusions
Today, Romanians, Hungarians, Serbians, Bulgarians, Jews, Arabs, Italians and Rromas (Gypsies), live in harmony while practicing active cultural and religious lives.

The water is hypo-tonic and hypo-thermal (must be good for you)
We sip Timisoarana beer at our favorite watering hole in the Piata Unirii Square, where Roman Catholic and Serbian churches face each other. Tolerance and understanding are inherent here, in the Banat region of Romania.

The Drunken Rat Pub
Tomorrow, we hop a four-hour train to Belgrade Serbia. Ron Mitchell
Excellent… I think you will enjoy Belgrade… The last time we were there, it was shocking to see buildings in good shape, next to building that were shelled/heavily damaged between the war with Croatia and Romania… Will you make it as far south as Bucarest? That is a nice City… There is a great history/museum park there.
If you go to Croatia, Jackie’s Uncle is from Kortula (he escaped when it was Communist control…he and a friend fled to Italy, in a row boat!! Uncxle Nicxk is well known in Kortula. Nicholas Simon Batistich… ENJOY
Thanks, Skip. Taking train this morning to Belgrade, down to Montenegro from there is the plan so far.
Your blogs bring excitement and joy to our lives!! Thanks!!
Thanks so much Ma and Pa. Mare just told me that dad’s home. Hooray!
Making me feel nostalgic for Eastern Europe. Enjoy the rest of your travels.
Missing those pork knuckles and cabbage are ya?