after breakfast we began touring Bucharest….a beautiful city with beautiful buildings.  The churches are Romanian Orthodox mostly.  We saw an old church that is the church of the Patriarch of the Church.  It is Sunday and the faithful are in attendance.  Women wear headscarves.  Everyone, except the elderly and inferm stands.  They cross themselves three time and bend each time and touch the floor.  That is the modern way.  Usually they would cross themselves, kneel on the floor and prostrate themselves, get up and do it again.  The churches are beautiful, inside and out.  Inside are painted walls with saints, flowers, and icons are everywhere.  Everyone kisses the icons and just about anything else that can be kissed.  The music was piped in, but was very lovely.  Candles are placed in covered stands outside the church…one area to be lighted for the living, and one area for deceased people.  The service normally lasts three and a half to four hours.  Quite an aerobic workout!  

We went to Victory Square where The Dictator gave his last speech before he flew off in. Helicopter to his execution.  The buildings are neoclassical French.  A statue of the first of three kings of Romania is in the square…Carol I.  He was followed by his nephew, Ferdinand, followed by his son, Carol II.  

Then we went to see the Parliament building…a huge white building that is the second largest in the world after our Pentagon.  It is supposed to be absolutely spectacular inside and we will do an interior tour our last day here in Romania.  More later….