Lufthansa to Romania & taxi to my hotel

“Is there a Starbucks here” asks a very stereotypical younger American guy, complete with baseball cap worn backwards to one of the Lufthansa lounge staff. The lounge guy, trying ever so hard not to laugh in his face points to the coffee machine and says “No”. The American asks “What about anywhere in the airport”. This time the lounge guy can’t hold it in and laughs “No”. Looking frustrated the young American, having displayed the clique American tourist behaviour walks away in a huff and asks his mate to leave the lounge to look for a Starbucks anyway.

As the lounge comment gave away, I’m flying Lufthansa for the first time today and am waiting in the small Business class lounge at Munich’s satellite concourse. Online they advertised it as having sweeping airplane views. The said view is of an aerobridge building. Despite the lounges small size it’s not bad. Got a few hot meal options, open self service bar and snacks including popcorn. I enjoyed a wine and some popcorn as well as a chicken curry as I waited for my first ever Lufthansa flight.

I had a quick shower to freshen up and wash the sweat and sunscreen from today off before heading to the gate. It’s so nice to have a pre flight shower - makes you feel so much nicer. I was the first to board and was greeted by 2 friendly cabin crew. We took off and flew the downwind circuit before heading off towards Austria, Hungry and Romania. The meal service commenced shortly after take off.

“Ja. As in summer the carts arrive and often are not cool. In my opinion the white wine was not of drinking temperature… the sparkling we had on ice from the previous flight so much better in my opinion. I glad you like.” He was right. The white wine from Italy was warm, but still drinkable just not ideal. While I can take wine not being chilled, smoked trout on the other hand, no thanks. Thus I ate around the trout meal and instead had a couple of bread rolls, the potato salad and the chocolate cake as my dinner. That was the meal service on this short flight. It all felt a little rushed and I found myself eating quicker than was really needed.

One glass of warm wine and two glasses of sparkling later and a chat with the crew in the galley, it was time to approach Timisoara. The crew came round with the bottle and topped up my glass again. “End of the day, don’t want to waste.” I’m glad I’m not picking up the rental car till the morning - 4 drinks in an hour (but small glasses). A few minutes later the crew return as the landing gear was down asking for my glass. “Now I have to take it”. I skull and she asks “you enjoy?”. 😂

We land at Timisoara and I wait at a comically slow baggage carousel for my bag. Last time I came to Romania it was outside the Schengen zone. Now inside (for air transit only) I arrived without the need for a stamp in the passport or customs clearance. I got some local cash out (the Romanian Lei) and hopped into a taxi for my hotel for the night.

“You want receipt?” the driver asks me. I say yes and he sighs and turns on the meter. I know I’m about to be ripped off but can’t be bothered arguing. We zoom along at speed like I remember from my last time in Romania. 130km/h on a 70km/h zone. No problems. Romania is exactly how I left it.

“You ok I take different route… roadworks make city slow”. “Sure” I reply, knowing he’s just running up the meter. At 1 Lei to 0.30AUD I just can’t be bothered arguing. His shortcut has us stuck behind a van, slowing us briefly to 100/hr. We swerve to overtake but a concrete barrier appears so we swerve even harder back into our lane.

A road worker is painting new lines on the road at 11:30 at night. “For 4, maybe 5 years they do nothing. Now elections they do everything for our vote. Whole city roadworks” mumbles my cab driver as we pass.

I make it to the hotel. Driving has not changed in Romania despite now being in the Schengen zone. Welcome to Romania 🇷🇴 where I’ll be driving on these roads for the next week. Wish me luck.Les mer