A trip and a walk.
Iasi is Romania's cultural capital. Unofficially but accepted by most people in this country, this northeastern city has been very important in Romanian culture, with a strong development in the 19th century. It was even the capital of Romania at one time, when the recognized capital, Bucharest, was occupied by German troops, and the royal house and other state institutions took refuge here.
It is also an important religious center, known as the city of a hundred churches, and many monasteries, most of which have existed since the Middle Ages.
It is also a city of young people, an intense university center where students from all over the world study, and many young people work in IT.
All this and much more make this city, called Iasi, a destination for travel and exploration, both for Romanian and foreign tourists.
I worked in a special place, in a special building, one of the most beautiful in the city, which I will tell you about another time.
I walked around Iasi almost every day... for a year!
The city center, with a boulevard, Stefan cel Mare, transformed into a promenade, the favorite place for a walk for all those who arrive or live here.
A wide boulevard with two important squares at both ends: Union Square and Palace of Culture Square.
I noticed something interesting on my way to the Palace of Culture. Two cars parked in a place where cars aren't allowed. Two very special cars.
The bodies of the cars were covered with mosaic, the first even plated with gold leaf. Marketing for an art gallery.
Leaving the promenade, I passed by a bank and found some interesting reflections, which looked like a big collage.
As the evening approaches, the setting sun shines its golden light on the taller buildings, setting the stage for the golden hour.
A little further away from the city center you can see the hills that border the city, there are seven hills, just like in Rome, but this is the only similarity between Iasi and the famous Italian capital.
It can be observed that traffic rules are not strictly respected, in Romania freedom is understood by everyone as they see fit.
I have a preference about the size of cities and what are the choices for living in them. A condition would be that you can easily see its edges, as it is in Iasi. In Bucharest, where I live, this is not possible.
I conclude with this picture of two buildings, 500 years apart in age. In Iasi, such contrasts can be found at every step.
