No Walks Lately

That's right, there hasn't been much walking lately this month.... on paper. In reality, I've walked quite a lot, even more than I thought I would.

August, I can say for now, was a hotter summer month than I was used to, and therefore harder to bear. I was forced to stay indoors more due to the high temperatures. However, there was even a trip to a special place and a couple of walks in my city, which was scorching hot.

The trip came unexpectedly, unplanned, and it was not by the sea, as I had wanted. Because, for me, summer is the sea!

Especially because I remembered the great time I had on seaside vacations, whenever I went to the nearby mall, seeing this arrangement imitating a place by the sea, one advantage of living on the outskirts of the city is that I can go to the mall and supermarket without a car, just a quarter of an hour's walk away.

It's not the edges and suburbs I want to talk about today.
I've been to the center of the city, Bucharest, and I think it's worth it to see what a city looks like, a city overrun by scorched and with few people on the streets, because most of them are away on vacation, and the others stay more in their houses, to keep out the sun.

More foreign tourists than locals are willing to walk the streets at noon.

Here we are at the University, that's what the locals call this place in the center. The name originates from the buildings visible in the picture, namely the University and the Faculty of Architecture. There's also this clock, a meeting place for the young and in love, and not only for them.

Opposite the University is the National Theatre, a newer and emblematic building for the city. It is one of my favorites, not only architecturally, but also culturally.

In the past, I used to attend theater shows here often; now I've been a bit rare, but I hope to rectify that this fall.

Next to the theater is the most famous hotel in Bucharest. Both buildings were constructed during Romania's communist era, and this hotel was, for a long time, the tallest building in the city.

In all this heat, there is, fortunately, a place to cool off, just under the roundabout at the intersection of two major avenues.

There is an underpass and access to the subway station.

As I went down the passage, I discovered a poster for the new exhibition organized by Art Safari, the main venue where I find exhibitions that change every three months.

I pass to the other side of the University Square, where, on the right, you can see the university building, built at the end of the nineteenth century, which is now undergoing renovation.

Also, here are some statues representing personalities from our history, including writers and a former ruler of the country, who in 1600 established the first union of the Romanian provinces. Because he was a brave fighter, he was named Michael the Brave.

You may be wondering why I, who have some health problems that are not compatible with high temperatures, am here at this time of year. Well, I was forced to make this trip because I had some tests to run. This need led me to cross University Square and then to an old part of the city known as the Armenian Quarter. In this neighborhood, Armenians traded, wealthy individuals built sumptuous houses and churches, such as this one, called, what else, the Armenian Church.

I saw something ingenious here. A signpost to the most important Armenian sites in the city and the world. With direction and distances!

Behind the church is the hospital where I underwent the tests. Luckily, it didn't take very long, and then I made my way back to University Square, to the subway that would take me home.

I have to admit that the long walk and the heat made me tired, and I chose to take a bus to Piata Universitatii. Resting on the bench at the bus stop, I saw a picture across the street that I liked very much, and I tried to take a photo of it with my cell phone.

The image seemed to be out of this time, of course, if I disregard the cars that were passing by incessantly. I tried a zoom, but I had no luck; the rushing cars didn't allow me...

Fortunately, the last attempt was lucky and I got this photo that I like very much.

This neighborhood was filled with pravalas and small shops selling a wide range of goods. Such a picture, with the store owner waiting outside to receive visitors, I haven't seen in many years. It brought back childhood memories. Fortunately, the cars are almost indistinguishable, so the image appears to be from the heyday of this neighborhood, nearly a hundred years ago.

Returning to University Square allowed me to take a series of photos highlighting the stifling heat and its effects on people and nature, as much as it can be in the center of a big city.

So, instead of closing, I will insert some photos...

Here, you can also see what the city has done to bring about a slight cooling effect.

It's so hot that no one dares to use these electric scooters, which are otherwise popular with young people.

Most of the vegetation has dried up. I can say no more...

... except that I hope for a cooler summer next year, and thank you for reading. I haven't written anything for a month, and now I realize I missed this.

I always start with photos when I want to write a blog. Photos remind me of places, events, and feelings that turn into words.

A wise saying goes that an image is worth a thousand words.

Everything depends on the beholder.

Make a point of looking around and up to see what you can find to get shots of that; otherwise, you may miss it.

_{This is one of the recommendations made by @tattoodjay for those who prefer walking and are used to sharing impressions and photos in his community, Wednesday Walk, every Wednesday, like this one today.}