Day 69 – We don’t get short changed . . .

Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show is a favourite of Mary-Ann’s. Her daily dose delivered via catch-up as she prepares dinner – though not when we’re traveling. From time to time invited guests are asked to give their thoughts on “What makes us human?”.

Of the many solely human traits, kindness, must surely come near the top of the list. Our journey into the city centre gets a five out of five as we get handed some free Bucharest currency.

Every country has its own unique ways of running its transport infrastructure. It takes time to fathom. Today’s planned bus trips no exception. No clues displayed at any bus stops. We guess. Once on-board a young teenager removes ear phones. Spots our confusion. Points us in the right direction. 1/5

Our first stop. The massive open air Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum. A fascinating chronological insight into village house construction over the last few centuries. A multitude of properties moved and rebuilt. Beautifully laid out on its fourteen hectares. A mix of churches, houses and windmills.

Info board indicates original location, where, how and year of build. The owners and their work.

Half underground – originally built in an area of high winds. Presumably to prevent lift off – despite its wings.

My favourite interior. Previously occupied by Villa fans . . .

Without question. They even incorporated a shrine dedicated to the great team into their living quarters.

We exit the village not quite at the top end of the Champs-Élysées. Their very own ‘Arcul de Triumf’. We can catch a city bus nearby. Providing we can find the stop.

Good job that van’s there – reminds us we’re not in Paris . . .

A lady is waiting. Our generation. We ask her for help. She speaks not one word of English. Without hesitation, or prompting from Chris Tarrant, she phones a friend. I briefly speak with her friend. She tries to help, but can’t. 2/5 + 3/5. The lady at the bus stop isn’t finished. She calls over a young boy of seventeen, Victor. Explains our plight. He has good English. Accompanies us on the bus. Shows us where we catch the Metro into the Old Town. 4/5

We make it into old town with the help of another teenager. He’s heading in our general direction too. Takes us to the platform. Gets on with us. And off with us. Points us to our exit. Goes on his way. 5/5 – Gold Star for Bucharest.

Curiously, each teenager asks the same question. “How do you like Romania?”

Although convenient, we’ll be pleased to leave this site. Its mosquito population have been having a feast. We’ve got lumps on our lumps.