Bucharest Blues & Bagels: A Drummer's Damp Dispatch

okay, so bucharest. wow. just…wow. i’m leo, by the way, touring drummer for, uh, a band you’ve probably never heard of. we just wrapped up a gig there, and honestly? it was…an experience. i’m still peeling damp off my skin, i think.

body of water under cloudy sky during daytime

a church with a golden dome and cross on it

i just checked and it’s…a persistent drizzle. like, the kind that soaks you to the bone without you even realizing it. feels like 3.87, which is just…sad. the pressure’s low, humidity’s insane - 92%! i’m pretty sure my drumsticks are absorbing moisture. i’m not even kidding.

we were staying near *Universității Square, which was…interesting. the architecture is wild, all these crumbling facades next to these super modern glass buildings. it’s a visual assault, in the best possible way. i spent a good hour just staring at a building trying to figure out if it was art deco or just really, really old.

food-wise? surprisingly good. i stumbled upon this tiny place called “La Copacabana” (don’t let the name fool you, it’s not brazilian) and had the best mici of my life. seriously. tiny, spicy, delicious. check it out on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-copacabana-bucharest.

but the people…that’s where things got weird. i overheard this conversation at a cafe - two older women, whispering intensely about a politician and a missing cat. it was pure gold.

“He’s definitely involved,” one hissed, stirring her coffee dramatically. “The cat knew too much.”

and then there was the advice. someone told me that if you walk backwards around Palatul Parlamentului three times, you’ll be granted good luck. i didn’t try it. i’m not that desperate. but it was entertaining to hear.

getting around is…an adventure. the public transport is cheap, but chaotic. i ended up taking a taxi a couple of times. make sure you agree on a price before you get in, or you’ll end up paying double. i learned that the hard way. TripAdvisor has some decent reviews on taxi services: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298217-d3234783-Reviews-Taxi_Services_Bucharest-Bucharest_Bucharest_County_Romania.html

my gear list, because apparently that’s what people want to know:

*Snare drum: Ludwig Classic Maple (soaked, but still kicking)
*Bass drum: Pearl Reference Series (slightly damp)
*Cymbals: Zildjian A Custom (praying they don’t rust)
*Earplugs: essential. seriously. the sound guy at the venue…let’s just say he wasn’t a fan of subtlety.
*Raincoat: a must. a really good one.
*Pocket translator: because my romanian is limited to “hello” and “beer.”

if you get bored, Ploiești and Brașov are just a short drive away. i didn’t have time to check them out, but i heard they’re worth it. i also saw a forum post on a local board about some hidden speakeasies - https://www.bucharest.com/forums/topic/12345/hidden-bars-bucharest/. might have to investigate next time.

and a warning: i heard that the pigeons in România Square* are…aggressive. like, actively plotting against you. keep your distance.

overall? bucharest is…unexpected. it’s gritty, it’s beautiful, it’s damp, and it’s full of secrets. i’d go back. maybe when it’s not raining. and maybe with a bigger raincoat.

Bucharest Blues & Bagels: A Drummer's Damp Dispatch

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About the author: Isabella Hart

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