Romania Day

I went downtown and Piata Opera was a zoo! People everywhere! There was a small stage set up in front of the Opera and a handfull of kids were dancing on it. Unfortunately, they were bundled up in ski jackets and not traditional Romanian costumes.

There were all these little market booths set up around the square, selling jewelery and these weird sticks covered in tinsel and little hanging ornaments. Celine explained that they were for St. Nicholas. I vaguely remember St. Nicholas in France and Sweden. Apparently, these sticks will be sold until December 6th. You give them to children or people who are special to you. I doubt I'll get one, but I'll buy some for people! Too bad they'll cost an arm and a leg to send home because they would make great gifts for my little cousins.

A stand was making coconut rolls. You can usually buy them by the movie theatre. They're pretty tasty. Basically a thin cylinder of dough (sometimes with jam, but the centre is always hollow) covered in powdered sugar or coconut. You basically unroll it to eat it. I've never had a fresh one, and these looked and smelled delicious! Unfortunately, the line was huge so I just watched the process.

The chefs put the dough on dowel rods and attached them to a mechanism that turned them slowly over hot coals. They were brushed down with sugar water (?) and then coated in coconut when they were done. They must have been delicious. Thirty people waiting patiently in line can't be wrong!

I heard what sounded like a marching band and the entire crowd carried me over to the front of Lloyd's Restaurant. A parade made up of what looked like members of the Romanian army marshed by with drums and cymbals. They were followed by more soldiers (?) carrying candles. After they walked past, the end of the crowd followed them, so that everyone watching them could join in the parade. We walked up to the Cathedral and then soldiers continued up the street while everyone stayed in Piata Victoria.

Suddenly, the crowd heard a loud "BANG". I looked up and the fireworks had started! I love fireworks. Fireworks are like pizza: even when they're bad, they're still pretty good! I ran up to the fountain and craned my neck upwards. They must have been set off close to Piata Hunaides (yes, I know that's spelled wrong too). Luckily, I still had a good view.