Ubisoft - living like (external) tester 6

Why do we need 2 screens at our workstation?

As I mentioned in the pre-post this year I joined Ubisoft as an external force. Hired by third party company from Czech republic and invited to Bucharest to test the newest Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag.

Although it has many pros it also has some cons...

Today we caught ourselves laughing out loud about our situation.

U see, tester is working on a workstation  - understand there is a PC for logging bugs into the database + at least one console on which the game is tested(PS, Xbox, Wii,...). Obviously you need two screens to work effectively.

"Lucky us", due to the budget cuts, Czech external testers were granted with just 3 monitors for 2 people. Imagine that in the whole Ubisoft Bucharest 1 free LCD, monitor, tv, LED, whatever display device for us could not be found. So since the day 7 I am working only on 1 LG LED 24EA53 monitor and switching the sources manually from HDMI (connected to my Xbox360) to VGA (connected to my PC). Organizing MP(Multi player) session with people from France is in such case strongly inconvenient.

Lucky us though, because before Vaclav came at the beginning of this week, there were no monitors for us at all and mine were borrowed from fellow coworkers. But since their project started also - Watchdogs - I had to give them back.

Even testers need fully equipped facilities and workstations to work effectively. Wish me luck to get one more screen till the end of this week.

Ubisoft - living like (external) tester 5

Flying with Qatar in Business class

As I mentioned in the pre-post, this year I joined Ubisoft as an external force. Hired by third party company from Czech republic and invited to Bucharest to test the newest Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag.

First change is the preparation. Unlike a regular tester I have to prepare several weeks before coming to the test site and get ready all necessary documents. Since I live in China, the most important issue was how to get me back to Bucharest Romania. I was searching among available options and the best choice with acceptable cost/performance ration was to buy ticket from Qatar airways.

Qatar has relatively new fleet, excellent reputation and is flying directly to Chongqing as well. The ticket was obtained in the local Qatar airways office in IFC building on No. 28 Min Quan Road Chongqing. Very inconvenient though was that the ticket had to be payed cash! Seriously more than 10 000 RMB cash who carries around such an amount of money ffs.

In the day of departure I was really nervous and still in the middle of packing. Flight was scheduled on 23:50. At 22:50 I arrived to the correct international departure hall of Chonging Jiangbei airport. Since it is an international flight, the departure hall is further away from the metro entrance. Before I reached it I was swearing the heavy luggage and extremely hot Chongqing weather.

Check-in for my flight was not on the board and the designated check-in desk was closed and I thought thats the end. Fortunately the Qatar airways staff members were present in another desk and helped me out. First they scold me for being late and announced0 that my seat is gone.

BUT eventually I was awarded a seat in business class as remuneration for being late :-)

So what can Qatar airways business class offer you:

1. First difference comes just before embarking the plane. You are put into a business class line and have the right to enter the plane prior to the economy class customers. Makes you feel you have more prestige but you face crowds passing you by in the narrow alleyway the same. 
2. Small snack and champagne/water. Before You can even discover all features of your seat the flight attendant offers you something small to bite and sip.
3. Daily press is handed over by another flight attendant. Basically all big newspapers from destination and departure country, plus international titles.
4. When you are comfortably seated after take off your personal flight attendant approaches to ask you for your menu choice. Really nice service when flight attendant gives you fine menu to pick from.
5. Super comfortable seat that can be unfolded into a full bed. This is the best part of all the benefits. Seat space is well designed and provides you with absolute comfort you could have in plane. With just one button push you will choose to sleep, work or relax. If you get confused, your flight attendant will promptly help you out.
6. You get your own Qatar airways pyjamas.  Gray cotton pants and top to keep you warm.
7. Appetizers, snacks and alcoholic/nonalcoholic drinks anytime during the flight. Appreciated especially when the air is really dry and you need to keep yourself hydrated. From bottled evian water to beer cans and wines you can pretty much choose according to your taste.
8. Comfortable headphones, blindfold and earplugs (God bless those).
9. Spacier toilet at your disposal. Unrecognizable, honestly, it seems the same.
10. On air mobile service, laptop power and a USB plug. Except the USB plug there was everything as described.
11. 5-star cuisine with infinite choices. Food is probably the cherry on top of all the delights. True masterpiece of
12. In-fight entertainment. Considerably higher level of entertainment provided by onyx system. Newest movies in several language mutations on relatively big screen. You can choose from hundreds of movies in different genres. I have chosen 2 during my 7 hour flight and went to sleep while listening to Australian radio songs.

Flight facts:

37000 feet above the ground
7 hour
5-star service
50 longitude degrees crossed
4 time zones
3350 km
600 km/h speed
And this song: Foals - Late night song

Black Sea in Constanta

During the weekend me and my very good friend Lukasz along with his family visited beautiful beaches of the Black Sea. His daughter Maya is adorable little lady. We hang out in Eforie and enjoyed sunshine, swimming and sand.

The trip was scheduled for Saturday. But no one told me the train leaves at 3 AM! I was really surprised but determined to do it. We took the night train from Bucharest north train staition directly to Eforie (return ticket 56 RON).  

Arrived to Eforie at 8 AM. I have not seen that many people in a night train before. Seemed like everyone wants to go to the seaside. When we get off the train we simply followed the crowd to the nearest beach. 

All the day we enjoyed swimming in the sea, playing with Maya and most importantly RELAX.
Sun was sharp and warm and water pleasingly refreshing. I swam for couple of hundred meters and get a sunburned:-) At 3PM we left the beach and head for a local restaurant to have late lunch to catch our train back at 6 PM.

Whatever you choose the pizza will be eastern European variation and local food is always a better choice. Couple of beers and back to the train station we embarked our train pretty tired. Apart from my catching up of a running train in Constanta the ride back was calm and full of very bad sleep. We arrived at 11PM at Gara de Nord.

Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag Collaboration

AC 4 Black Flag is made by 8 studios WW

Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag is created by multinational team in different countries and countless nationalities. Just in the Localization testing team we have more than 20 nationalities.

These people came together from all around the world to bring you the best experience from playing Assassins Creed Black Flag (ACBF) in your own language. Portuguese, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Hungarian, Arabic and many more and of course Czech:-) localization testers gathered in Romanian Bucharest during this summer,  to work together in span of several weeks on an ultimate achievement: Bring you the best localized game in year 2013.

Studios colaborationg on Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag:

Ubisoft Montreal
Ubisoft Annecy
Ubisoft Bucharest
Ubisoft Sofia
Ubisoft Shanghai
Ubisoft Singapore
Ubisoft Kiev
Ubisoft Quebec

Assassin's Creed 4 - Game testing for Ubisoft once again

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag

It is more than 8 months since The last entry and 101 tips for living in Bucharest were posted. In that time I thought it is really definiteve END of this blog. Another page written, another adventure experienced and a dream fulfilled.

I moved  to China-Chongqing to further develop skills in teaching and presentation. Pursue the carrier of an ESL Teacher and get to know the culture, the language and the people in Far East even better than during my stay in Taiwan.

  More about my stay in Chongqing on Chinese blog!

Yet, here I am writing another entry to the Bucharest city blog. From July to August I will move back to Bucharest Romania to cooperate on the latest adventures of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. Although it is going to be only for few weeks, I decided to revive this blog and bring you news from the backstage and testing at Ubisoft. Straight from the source. 

What can you look forward to:

1. Living like a tester series - This time from a different point of view. Last year I was employed as a regular peon in the army of Ubisoft testers allocated in Bucharest. This year the structure and organization changed and I was hired as a freelancer. One project, One game, One language, One man.
2. English - Since the audience consists mainly from foreigners and there is a possibility to translate the whole blog into any language by using the google translate feature (top-right corner of the page) I decided to publish in English.
3. Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag - News about upcoming episode of Assassin's Creed saga. Locations, Characters, Story, Graphics, Collision system anything I will be allowed to share is going to be in this section.
4. Photos -  Since I bought new equipment: Cannon 600D + EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens. I will definitely take it and shoot places, people and life in Bucharest. You may check my Picasa albums to get an idea about how is life in contemporary Romania-Bucharest.

101 tips for living in Bucharest

101 tips to live in Bucharest / Romania 

  More Bucharest stories on my blog from Bucharest!

1. Cockroaches at the dormitory bathrooms - smaller than in Asia but higher in the swarm
2. Always demand receipt form the taxi driver
3. Before taking a picture of a person ASK for PERMISSION.
4. Stray dogs are everywhere - don't feed them and avoid groups of 5+
5. LCD in most buses show alternative routes from the next bus-stop along with bus numbers continuing from there
6. In subway there are private security officers - one in each car
7. There are no timetables for buses on the bus-stops deal with it
8. People on public places use on principle mobile phones with sound ON
9. Very few web pages have English version
10. If you are cold, just hop on any bus and get off on the next station
11. In rush hours don't take bus to get anywhere or you will be late for sure
12. Metro is extremely cheap - use it to get around
13. Travel
14. Always use metro to get anywhere - faster, cheaper, cooler :-)
15. Never believe a taxi driver he has no change
16. Always have the precise sum prepared to pay for taxi
17. There is 1000+ taxis(cabs) around Bucharest and they are cheap
18. If taxi driver says 10 Lei instead of turning on the taximeter you can try to bargain
19. Never argue with a taxi driver about the price AFTER delivery
20. Do NOT ask in a bar to switch football to hockey...EVER
21. Don't bother buying a bus card if you use it once a week or less
22. Caru cu Bere is a must for a traveler - traditional pub with traditional meal
23. Don't expect the waiting staff to be FAST - give em 15 minutes
24. Smile a lot
25. Pay with banknotes not with coins, especially in pubs
26. Draft beer is not a standard here
27. From airport take bus number 783 to the city center - 7 lei(2 ways)
28. Get yourself a FAN - public transportation would be less sweaty
29. Prepare to spend your evenings outside on the bench
30. Bring sunflower seeds to a party - its a local snack
31. Travel more
32. Get a fore arm Tatau with something "deep" in Chinese or Japanese
33. Buy pink T-shirt
34. Take trendy clothes to un-trendy places
35. Pretend to have less money than you have - DEFENSE
36. Cheapest beer is in plastic bottles - tastes OK
37. Anytime you place and order, prepare it to be incorrect on delivery
38. If you just switching from plane to train take bus 780 - will get you directly to Gara de Nord
39. Escape Bucharest to the seaside - Vama Veche, Costinesti, Mamaia
40. Order Chinese food delivery from wuxing.ro only if you want expensive and tasteless parody
41. Best café in town - Café Milano on Piata Romana
42. Try Romanian food - mamaliga, brinza, paine, ciorba, usturoi
43. Best pizza in the town - they have no good pizza in Romania I believe:-(
44. Go to the seaside - Black sea has its charm
45. For exotic food head to hidden Pakistani restaurant called Haveli restaurant - 50+Lei for fully satisfying experience
46.  

Well thats how far I got :-D...maybe you would like to add some? Feel free to leave those in comments. It was a pleasure to live in Bucharest/Romania for those 10 months. Hope to come back and maybe rearrange these tips a little;-)

2013 - added a few more and more to come next time

Poslední záznam - The last entry

Přes Transalpinu do Čech

Tak už je to tady...Po 10 měsících testování pro Ubisoft jsem se nasytil vysněného jobu a je třeba se vydat zase o kus dál. Nebudu zapírat, že mi bude chybět můj tým a vůbec pracovní prostředí, které mi Bukurešťský Ubisoft poskytoval. Mnozí z vás se divili, proč jsem se rozhodl odcestovat a žít v zemi, kterou si mnozí pletou s Bulharskem. Pracovat ve městě, jež si většina plete s Budapeští. Dokonce rodinní příslušníci byli zděšení, že se vydávám na východ, místo toho abych se po úspěšném absolvování vysoké školy vydal na západ. Všechny co byli ochotni naslouchat jsem poučil o svých důvodech a vím, že většina z vás to pochopila a celé rumunské dobrodružství mi přála štěstí a zdraví.
Jak jsem předeslal, jedná se o poslední záznam. Místo toho abych zde orodoval, vzpomínal a patetizoval ještě o něco více než v prvním odstavci, rozhodl jsem se přidat k dobru naše poslední cestování a fotky z té nejúžasnější cesty přes hory, kterou jsem kdy absolvoval.

Definitivní rozhodnutí o opuštění Rumunského pracovního trhu padlo v červenci. Dokončil jsem práci na Ghost Recon Future Soldier a splnil si svůj dětský sen. Kromě toho mi končila půlroční smlouva a bylo na čase se poohlídnout po něčem novém. Od července jsem tedy trávil hodiny a hodiny na pracovních portálech a sháněl další příležitosti. Ještě ten samý měsíc mě kontaktovali z Chongqingu a nabídli mi práci učitele angličtiny v Číně.

Což nás přivádí do současnosti. Po úmorných 4 měsících se vízová mašinérie dostala do bodu, ve kterém není na výběr a já musím zpět do CR abych si víza vyzvedl. Ze dne na den jsem ukončil pracovní poměr a začal shánět nejvýhodnější let. Michal s Petrem, kteří mi poskytli dočasný azyl se doma vytasili s nabídkou, jež se neodmítá. Jejich kolegové Lukáš a Radek dorazí s modelem jakési stavby autem a po její prezentaci se zase vydají domů do České kotliny po asfaltu. Pokud prý chci, můžu jet s nimi.

Na sbalení jsem měl pár dní, ale vzhledem k tomu, že jsem toho zas tak moc do Rumunska nedovezl v tom nebyl problém. Do auta se mi dokonce vejde víc věcí, než kolik bych mohl odvézt letadlem. Paráda.

Ve čtvrtek ráno byl naplánován odjezd na 3:00 ráno. Zabijácká hodina. Kluci si ukrojili pár hodin spánku navíc sledováním amerického válečného dramatu Lovec Jelenů. Po očku jsem je taky sledoval, ale spíš jsem se věnoval úpravě fotek z předchozích výletů - máte možnost je skouknout na picase;-)

Kupodivu jsme ve 3 vstávali jakoby nic a čiperně, bezhlučně jsme se přesunuli do vozu. Pěti válcový turbo diesel VOLVO XC60 nás čekal zaparkovaný v podzemní garáži. Napakovali jsme jeho ohromný úložný prostor až na maximum a vydali se do ranních ulic Bukurešti.

"Thanks for watching, reading, following - Farewell to you all!"

Ještě ani den před odjezdem, jsme si nebyli zcela jisti, jestli je Transaplina stále otevřená a zda se nám podaří ji projet skrz. První úsek s podrobnou mapou do Pitešti jsme se vezli na příjemné dálnici. Cesta ubíhala rychle a zatímco Radek vyspával rýmičku, my s Lukášem jsme projížděli kolem hořícího vraku auta...chlapík nezvládl řízení, možná mikrospánek, každopádně skončil v plamenech pod náklaďákem. V 5:12 ráno za Piteští muselo přijít definitivní rozhodnutí. Jedeme, nebo nejedeme. Byla stále ještě tma a studený podzimní vzduch se zahryzával do našich prokřehlých těl, když jsme se na jedné z benzínek snažili najít něco na zub.

Měli jsme štěstí a místní dinner nabízel snídaňové menu. Za 13 respektive 10 Lei si tu unavený řidič mohl koupit anglickou respektive tureckou snídani s čajem zdarma. Kluci vsadili na klasiku. Já jsem chtěl zjistit co se skrývá za položkou turecká snídaně, takže jsem se pasoval do role pokusného králíka. Za 10 minut již před námi stál hrnek teplého černého čaje a talíře přetékající dobrotami. Anglická slanina, párečky, bagetky, máslíčko, sýr, rajčátka, dokonce i med k dobru. Nádherně jsme se najedli a zahřáli. Posilněni jsme se definitivně rozhodli, že Transalpinu zdoláme.

Když jsme dojeli do vesničky Novaci, na místo kde Transalpina začíná, asi o 2 hodinky později, počasí bylo horší než špatné. Přesto, že předpověď slibovala jasno a větrno, nad námi se tísnili mraky a přes jejich hustý závoj nebylo vidět okolní hory. Dali jsme si něco malého na zub, probudili smysly v brzkém ranním chladu. Někdo si dal pauzu cigaretovou, někdo zase toaletovou. Během 10 minut jsme byli ready a zklamaně rozjížděli naše nacpané volvo vzhůru do kopce. Je 7:00 a nám se vůbec nechce dál.

Za vesnicí jsme narazili na ceduli, které jasně deklarovala, že Transalpina je zavřená - INCHIS! Zastavili jsme abychom to vstřebali, vyfotili a demokraticky se rozhodli se co dál. Za námi přijížděl transit, zastavil vedle nás a stáhl okýnko. Lukáš na postu řidiče udělal to samé. Lámanou angličtinou nám borec potvrdil, že Transalpina je průjezdná a mi se nemáme ničeho bát a jet kupředu. Vyrazili jsme, houstnoucí oblačností, vzrůstající nadmořskou výškou a klesající teplotou. Vstříc nepoznaným krásám Rumunské přírody.

Do 1400 metrů mraky houstly, obklopovaly celý prostor a nebylo vidět ani na 20 metrů kolem auta. Po překročení magické hranice však začali ustupovat až jsme v 1600 metrech vyjeli do úchvatného východu slunce.

I přesto, že Transalpina je dlouhá přes 160 km ta nejhezčí pasáž nedá v sedadle řidič do kupy víc než hodinku jízdy. Tedy, hodinku, pokud ji opravdu jen projíždíte. Na příkrých svazích hor je vidět intenzivní práce a příprava na sezonu. Developerské společnosti investují stamilióny aby zdejší divokou krajinou zvelebili a přizpůsobili cestovnímu ruchu. Za přispění Evropské Unie tu byl položen nový asfaltový koberec a silnice není zdaleka tak nebezpečná jak kdysi bývala. Za slunečného počasí a v perfektní viditelnosti se řídí pohodově. Lanovky zatím zejí prázdnotou a svahy jsou ověnčené ostrým kamením a hnědou travou. Zima na sebe nenechá dlouho čekat. Vybrali jsme si pravděpodobně ten nejpozdější možný termín a udělili dobře. Hra barev a stínů, které tu kreslí brzké ranní slunce je neobyčejná až magická. Jediné co nám kazí celkový klidný dojem je prudký a ostrý vítr. I přes několik vrstev oděvu nám dává zabrat. Prozíravě jsme si nikdo nevzal rukavice a tak i naše prsty trpí pod náporem náhlého ochlazení.

Lukášova GPS ukazuje 2150 Metrů. Před námi se otvírá vrchol jedné z místních hor, kterému je mistrně nasazen klikatící se asfaltový náhrdelník bez svodidel. Vyskakujeme z auta a vydáváme se směrem k vrcholu. Vítr se do nás opírá neskutečnou silou, ale energii jež do nás dopuje ranní slunce není možné zastavit. Pulsuje nám v žilách cestovatelská krev. Až na vrchol...až tam! Ruce křičí v crescendu nad ztrátou citlivosti. Ukecávám Radka aby mi udělal poslední fotku ve stojce. 2180 m n.m. úžasný pocit. Ve vycházejícím slunci vrháme dlouhé stíny a na vrcholku hory nezapomeneme postavit trolla.

Moc aut tu neprojíždí v 8 hodin ráno, ale s tím jedním německým BMW se potkáváme neustále. Každý vybíráme jiné zastávky a výhledy. Jiná místa na fotografování a přírodu k obdivu. To už se však dostáváme za polovinu a cesta začíná padat dolů. Serpentiny jsou opět bez svodidel a my jen děkujeme bohu, že nám takhle nádherně vyšlo počasí. Dupat na brzdu našeho automatu, v neprůhledném mraku a při nižší teplotě by bylo o život celé posádky. Míjíme několik propadlin ve vozovce, do kterých se šířkou vejdeme tak akorát. Sjíždíme opět do pásma lesů a zhluboka nasáváme vůni jehličnanů.

Povinnou zastávku na malou střídá pocit hladu. Táhne na dvanáctou hodinu a naše břicha kručí. Kromě toho se poslední pasáž Transalpiny mění v nekonečně dlouhý úsek plný zatáček a retardérů. Přestože se kolem nás rozkládají neuvěřitelně prudké svahy porostlé úžasně zbarvenými listnatými stromy, většinou břízkami, můj žaludek běduje a touží po kinedrilu. Dalších 45 minut, jsem přetrpěl jen silou vůle a nádherou zdejší přírody. Záchrana přichází v podobě hotelové restaurace Valea Frumoasei ve městečku Sugag. Zde si dáváme Oběd sestávající se z tradiční polévky, šnitzlu a pálivých papriček.

Celá cesta Bukurešť - Praha má 1400 km a dala nám zabrat. I ve třech to byla velká psychická a fyzická zátěž. Střídali jsme se u řízení, navigace i ve vytváření zábavy. Do Prahy jsme dorazili téměř po 22 hodinách v 1:00 v pátek ráno. Super zážitek. Díky kluci.

Chilling journey into Dracula's birth place - Sighisoara

Sibiu (Hermannstadt) and Sighisoara(Segersvár) 

I encountered Tautis sitting on the ground leasing back to the wooden padding of improvised Mc Donald terrace at Gara de Nord.  "Salut. Salut." Tautis handed me his Silva blonda can, for welcome. Told him I have 4 more nefiltrata bergen’s in my backpack and sat next to him. "We have 30 minutes delay already, " he told me. That’s exactly why I am coming on time. Not to wait more than its necessary!

"We need to take care of one big problem before we go", looking at electronic ticket for our trip to Cluj. "There is a name of my colleague written down in this document and I am not sure if they will allow you to take his seat. I am scanning the ticket. Adult/ full price stated in the top right corner and obviously Romanian name at the right bottom one. C'mon. Let's ask. I don’t wana fake someone’s identity. I will take care of your “Forest” and you can ask at the information desk for possibility to change ticket owner." Mutual agreement was sealed with two swigs from the can.

After several minutes of argumentation Tautis was back and pretty upset. His stay in Romania is approaching critical value. After almost 5 months the culture shock is kicking back and he feels really strange and uncomfortable, especially in crowded and sterile Bucharest. His mood was always lifted by any kind of trip. I like to travel with him, because Tautis is always up to go anywhere, explore and most importantly self-arrange anything. From the accommodation, through logistics to the entertainment, everything is DIY.

Dim and magical fog, stray car lights in the distance and completely clear sky with amazing crystal view of the stars. Werewolf moon and un-deadly morning chill in the middle of freshly harvested wheat fields. Slow train speed and beats of the trails. All of this makes you think of this as about extra-dimensional, almost spiritual journey. All the lost and tortured souls around, those gathered during your reaper night shift, now dragged back to underworld for Charon to keep them safe. Your ears full of screaming silence and mind stricken with deadly peace. Getting more and more silent… Into a redeeming limbo of postmortem semi-existence. Silence. Just missing scythe in my hand. Almost feeling its handle in my hands… Imagine that someone knocks on your shoulder in such a state of a mind…chills ran through your spine and various images through your head. Turning my head. From the darkness of dimmed coupe an almost faceless voice with long black hair shrouded with whispers asked me “Could you please close the window, I can not sleep because of the cold.”

Minutes of fantasy regression are gone. Last deep breath of fresh early morning autumn air and I am closing the window. Time to follow the crowd… well those two elderly souls… out of the train. 

5:40 Sibiu Gara. train station is pretty lively. People are going to work and some are coming back. Journey is almost at the end. Calling Reema to let her know I am in the town:-) Next two days she is going to be my tour guide. I am sad though that Mari-An is not present and can not spend some time with us. Right now she is probably strolling through some German city and heaving a good time with strangers :-P

Great 2 days I spent in Sibiu - Strolling through the city whole day, making pictures and in the afternoon visiting ASTRA Film festival of documentary movies. Evening was in sign of culture tolerance. German students had made a dinner and Czech with Pakistanis were invited to enjoy their national cuisine. Great event was closed by friendly ping-pong match.

The next day...think it was sunny Sunday... Ken picked me up after checking out  the 15th International Photographic Salon Sibiu 2012 final exhibition in Sibiu's exhibition hall and as promised, we caught bus to the biggest Village Museum in Europe. With other Pakistanis we decided to spend beautiful day in a calm environment around a lake. Funny thing is that in the middle autumn I was able to weave pussy willow whip usually made for the Easter in mid spring.

It is already more than two days but trip to Sighisoara still resonates within me. Apart from the fact that Vlad Tepes called Dracula was born in here, this small medieval town reminds me my hometown Tachov. 10 long months I have not strolled through its alleyways and strong melancholy struck me hard. Autumn in Tachov is one of the most beautiful times. Colorful alleys, sweet smelling air, sharp low angeled sunshine, bright sky and amazing views on the medieval sights all around the town. Nothing better than stroll through the alleyways, neighborhoods and landmarks ended in a teahouse with cup of fresh Darjeeling in your hands.

Reminds me...the time here in Bucharest is slowly ticking off and in less than a week I will be back in Czech Republic. I am glad I could spend one last weekend on a trip with my friends.

Enjoy your time - life is short ;-)

Peles, Rasnov and Brasov

Road-tripping the East Carpathian beauties

So we decided, even though all odds were against us, to go for a one day trip and try to visit as much as we can. Just before the whole season will be closed an the real autumn/winter begins. In our organizers was Sunday marked as a traveling day. Michal had the car, I had the local language knowledge - little but still and both of us are more than eager to explore and travel.

Morning started terribly early - usually I am waking up at 6:30 to make it on time to work - and around 7:00 we were already in the car driving through silent, gray and wet Bucharest streets. Vaclav, colleague of mine from Czech, testing the games in Bucharest for few weeks, was calling me...yeah I know, we were supposed to be there at 7. And I know how punktlich he is. So I was expecting his call:-) He called just to check up on us and to let us know, he is just checking weather and assuming the rain, he is not coming with us. Bine, no detour for us to pick him up and we can go straight north to the bowls of Transylvania.

Turks were burning brick. Engineers were Polish and the stone carvers were Czech. The Frenchmen were drawing, the Englishmen were measuring, and so was then when you could see hundreds of national costumes and fourteen languages in which they spoke, sang, cursed and quarreled in all dialects and tones, a joyful mix of men

"...Turks were burning brick. Engineers were Polish and the stone carvers were Czech. The Frenchmen were drawing, the Englishmen were measuring, and so was then when you could see hundreds of national costumes and fourteen languages in which they spoke, sang, cursed and quarreled in all dialects and tones, a joyful mix of men..."

Although there was not raining, the weather forecast was not that far from the reality. Weather. com was for once correct...along the way i slipped into the land of dreaming. No problem, when you are in the back seat and just enjoying the ride. Starts to be an issue when you suppose to navigate in the front seat. I really tried hard to stay awake and navigate. HARD. The dreams were stronger than me and clubbed my eyelids to deep state of sleep. When I woke up, Michal was not in his seat. Shock was replaced by surprise when I realized we are not moving. Still half a sleep I was scouting the surroundings...fog, trees, fog, road, trees, a hut, Michal outside the car, trees, fog, fog, never ending fog.

"Sleepy my darling?!" Michal uttered when stepping in. "Sorry man, I hope we are not lost or something. The weather is awful. Would not be surprised if you already turned back to Bucharest." No way, check the map and tell me where to go now. We should be close to Sinaia.

Our goal was to reach Busteni and from there track to Peleš castle, if weather would be nice we wanted to go uphill and use the cable cabin to reach the top. I grabbed our Romanian map in Lonely planet tour guide and finally woke myself up. There was nothing to miss and nowhere to get lost. Simply straight ahead from Bucharesst to Sinaia and Busteni. My plan was to ask someone in there where to head for one of the first European palace with central heating, vacuuming and electricity.

In the end we did not even need to consult the locals to find the palace. Although the rainy weather forced us to stay in car all time, we found a way into a nearby parking lot. No more than 300 meters from the castle is a hotel that offers parking. Entering the road costs approximately 10 Lei/car. But its worth in bad weather. In summer might be great hike up the alley. Last few hundred meters you have to walk, but the view is splendid and definitely worth it.

Peles castle alias palace itself is extremely beautiful and luxurious place I have seen so far. In the Renaissance style built palace to serve as a summer residence for king Carol I. and his wife Elizabeth. More than 400 craftsmen were working for almost 40 years to bring this jewel into the sunlight in all its splendor and magnificence. Although the main architect was Johannes Schultz (1876–1883) on Peles castle also 2 Czech architects left their mark. Karel Beneš(1822-1896) and more significant Karel Liman who designed the palace's towers.

Not only the outside is impressive and full of masterpieces. The Peles castle interior is made from gilded wood, wooden ceilings and paneling along with craftsmen work from all over the Europe. The main wooden work though is made in Austria and Germany. Italian glass, Bohemian crystal and many others decorates this Romanian gem.

Palace has 3 floors and the tour is priced accordingly - 1st floor for 30Lei, 1st+2nd floor for 50Lei and all 3 of them for 70 Lei. We have chosen second option and it turned out to be very good choice. For the second floor we were abandoned alone. Just me and Michal with our tour guide. Lovely lady in her 40 told us many stories and was more than willing to share and answer all our nosy questions. We spend more than 90 minutes on the tour and were pretty saturated for the morning. One quick pizza in Sinaia's restaurant and we were off on the road again.

Rasnov was the next stop. The weather was worse than bad and wee were forced to drive truly slow. Navigation was once again up to me and Michal took the wheel. In less than 2 hours we were already parking in Rasnov main street wondering why they wont let us up the hill to the parking lot.

Considering our gear, we were not prepared for what should come, but about that later...for now we spend 15 minutes walking uphill to realize racing competition is taking place just under the fortress. You could know that only cause of the map. All the surroundings was buried in a cloud an nothing was visible above certain level.

Michal is a gasoline head;-), owns motorbike and likes roar of engines almost as same as smell of burning tyres. So we stopped for a while (almost 30 minutes) to check out the competition.

Even though the weather was still giving us hard time, we were more than glad to hit the road in the morning. Cause these are exactly things we love to travel for. Unexpected events to lift your mood up and enjoying life as it comes. Once again we met Czech made machines and stormed the hill up the fortress we could not see through clouds.

Saxon fortress build in 13th century to guard Romanian lands against Turks and Tartars. Almost fully renovated medieval fortress is perfectly set just behind the mountains to guard lands and passes. Those were unfortunately for us covered in a thick whiteness of clouds.

Time flew like a jet fighter and we need to get down to the town, drink something warm and possibly eat.
On the way down to our car, the weather got even worse. Heavy rain with big rain drops started to fall from the clouds on our heads. Our light garments could not endure such a rainfall and get wet almost instantly. Wet jackets, wet shoes, wet trousers...fortunately our car was close to one of the opened pubs in town. We slipped in ordered a tea and strengthened ourselves for the last part of our journey.

....hmm seems like I already exceeded the traditional span of my articles and your focus also. Long story short. Those who made it in here will get one special tip for Brasov's best restaurant. Should you long for traditional Romanian meal in a cosy /romantic environment visit Bella Musica. Traditional ciorba de fasole served in bread is for decent 15 Lei. Other meals could be slightly more pricey though worth the service.

More pictures can be found on Picasa.

Steaua Bucuresti vs CFR Cluj - Sunday in Bucharest

Vesnické Muzeum - skanzen a rumunská liga naživo

Rumuni trpí utkvělou představou, že ve stoje dohlédnou dále než ze sedu. Alespoň jejich chování při fotbalovém zápase tomu napovídá. Kdykoliv se odehrávala akce u branky soupeře, řada před námi se hodila do pozoru a napínala kukadla jak to jen šlo. Zápas se tedy také nesl na vlně tréninku "Vztyk / Sednout". Měl jsem pocit, jakoby klukům podvědomě scházela vojna a tak si jí společně s celým regimentem simulují na zápasech šťávy v National aréně.

Stadion je opravdu monstrózní stavba. Dominuje Východní části Bukurešti asi stejně jako vzdálenější asijská tržnice Dragon mall. Moderní ocelobetonová stavba je svou typickou architekturou přirovnáván k podobným stavbám v Německu a Anglii. Jen ty nálady na jeho stavbu byly o 30% vyšší. Což je s podivem, když uvážíme, že veškeré západní firmy sem přesouvají či outsourcují svá centra péče o zákazníky (Alespoň ty, co neobjevily kouzlo JV asijských pracantů na Filipínách a Indonésii.) aby ušetřily.

Zatímco my jsme nacvičovali gumárenské povely, tak na hřišti se odehrávala bitva...oh, pardon, šťouchaná...o to kdo si domů odvaze, respektive neodveze, 3 body za výhru. Vždycky mi bylo jako fotbalové lamě vysvětlováno, že fotbal se hraje tak, že všichni běhají za míčem a snaží se do něj kopnout dost přesně na to, aby doletěl do brány. Tím se získá bod. Kdo má víc bodů, vyhrál. Jednoduchý jako facka...jj jsou tu ještě nějaký vychytávky jako ofsajd a penalta, fauly a barevný kartičky. Upřímně mi fotbal přijde celý dost o barvičkách (to už je ale zase jiná písnička). Takže, zatímco my nacvičujeme povely vztyk a sednout, tak se na trávníku místo běhání neustále objevuje ten samý obrázek ležícího hráče, držícího se za nohu, hlavu nebo jinou část těla a skučící jak meluzína. Bábofky do sebe tak vehementně šťouchali, že se jim během jedné minuty podařilo upadnout 4 krát. Až jsem měl pocit, že se fotbal přece jen hraje trochu jinak. Trochu víc kontaktně a především...kdo spadne vícekrát vyhrál nebo ještě lépe, kdo nasbírá nejvíce barevných kartiček, tak vyhrál. Pán rozdávající ty pěkně barevné kartičky, pan Rozhodčí je pí...ehh...kapitola sama o sobě. Velikost penisu si kompenzuje vizuálně působivým rozdáváním barevných kartiček. Pěkně ať to všichni vidí, jaký já jsem kabrňák. Ale nás neošálí, jeho nízké sebevědomí se projevovalo absolutní neschopností zapískat na píšťalku s dostatečnou rozhodností a hlasitostí. pořádek na trávě tak ležel na bedrech čárových a hráči prakticky neustále rozehrávali bez jeho posvěcení.  Třeba to bylo jenom tím kotlem vpravo od nás, že jsem to hvízdání neslyšel...ale třeba taky ne. Každopádně ceny akademie bych za letošní rok rozdal do Rumunska aspoň 3.

Zápas skončil 1:0 pro Steau (Hvězdu) a kluci si to pořádně vybojovali. Na konci už chyběly síly na pořádný útok a posledních 5 minut byla fraška, ale celý zápas měla Bukurešť navrch a vítězství si zasloužila. Nutno dodat, že bez vydatné podpory tvrdého jádra skalních fanoušků (čti hooligans) by to byla bitva mnohem těžší.

Co se týče zbytku dne, tak ten jsem strávil částečně v Harastrau park s Lukaszem a jeho dcerou Májou a částečně ve Vesnickém Muzeu. Jedná se o komplex 200 budov dovezených do Bukurešti a umístěných hned vedle parku. Většina z nich dokládá původní způsob života na vesnici v průběhu 18. a 19. století v Rumunsku. Veškeré stavby byli dovezeny z nejrůznějších částí republiky a uspořádány tak, že tvoří samostatnou malou vesnici uprostřed města. Za vstup jako dospělí zaplatíte 10 Lei, jako důchodci a postižení 5 Lei a jako studenti dokonce jen 2,5 Lei. Můžete tam strávit kolik času chcete a dokonce si od místních koupit nějakou malou drobnost na památku. V celé vesničce už nikdo nežije a narazíte tu jen na personál a ostrahu společně s jednou malou kavárnou. Vše je vyvedeno tak aby to nerušilo ráz celého projektu a i ty koše na odpadky jsou opravdu z proutí. Malou specialitou je, že v celém asreálu je zakázáno kouřit a požívat alkoholické nápoje. To první je celkem logickým závěrem, vzhledem k tomu, že 90 % vesnice je ze dřeva a slámy. To druhé je pak poměrně efektivní opatření, jež drží zpátky velkoměstské bezdomovce co by měli choutky zasquotovat  tu na delší než nezbytně nutný čas k prohlídce.

Málem bych zapomněl. Když jsem si šel po ránu zaběhat, podařilo se mi najít docela pěkný bleší trh. Je hned před Carol parkem a dají se tam koupit nejrůznější antikvární skvosty. Od obrazů a stříbrných příborů, přes zapalovače, náramky a zrcátka až po 8mm kamery a fotoaparáty značky LEICA.

Pierogi

Na návštěvě u sousedů- Polské Pierogi

Předně se chcu omluvit a možná taky ospravedlnit. Dlouho jsem nic nenapsal..alespoň né česky.
Kromě toho že jsem makal (hehe - jo přesně tak, pařil Assassin's Creed 3) 10 hodin denně tak jsem taky cestoval převážně s anglicky mluvícími přáteli.

Včera na večer jsme se sešli u Lukasze doma. Pohodový 1+1 na Bukurešťském Vitanu, kde bydlí společně se svou ženou a 3 letou dcerkou. Všichni se společně přistěhovali z Polska loni na podzim. Barbara dostala práci u HP a Lukasz jehož duše je skrz na skrz cestovatelská neváhal a podpořil její kariéru. Sám pak našel, jak on vždycky říká, "amazing job" v Ubisoftu a splnil si dětský sen.
V malé kuchyňce pro nás do 5 do rána předešlého dne připravoval polskou národní specialitu. Pierogi nebo po našem pirohy, i když v mojí hlavě mají tyto dvě věci trochu odlišné tvary a chutě, vytvářel podle rodinného receptu.

Já mám ve zvyku chodit všude včas :-D a stejně tak jsem učinil i včera večer. Když jsem dorazil k Lukaszovi s akademickou 45 minutovkou, zjistil jsem, že jsem dorazil první. Co naplat, dali jsme se hned...do pití. Jedno dvě píva a už jsme se začali strachovat, kde jsou ostatní "akademici". Pojedli jsme trochu pirogů, probrali ženský, chlast a rokenrol a ve finále volali Stefanie. Z okolního hluku bylo jasné, že právě sedí v metrou a uhání směrem k Mihai Bravu station. Naštěstí cestou vyzvedla Sebastiana a Alejandra v naší oblíbené hospodě "Na růžku" a tím zároveň průvodce na cestě za vydatnou polskou krmí.

Jak jsem psal v jednom z předchozích postů, psi tady jsou skoro všude a dostat se v pořádku ke mě nebo k Lukaszovi až do bytu je občas o zadnici. Především po setmění, bez znalosti místních smeček a jejich teritorií. Už nikdy se nenecham nachytat na švestkách od Gangu Alea Blajel a jejich část ulice si můžou v klidu značkovat až do Aleluja.

Sraz byl v 7, já dorazil před 8 a v 9 už jsme byli všichni u stolu. Na něm se skvěly kromě hrnce plného horkých pierogů také máslo, sklenice se zlatavým mokem (čti pívo) a bramborovo sýrová pomazánka, která prakticky tvořila náplň pierogů.

Posílení alkoholem jsme na dekorum moc nedbali a sázeli do sebe jeden pirožek za druhým. Trochu máslíčka a posypat solí. Delikatesa, po které se slehla zem...

Příště se dostaneme třeba i k receptu.

Pro dnešek padla a zpět do práce

Ubisoft - living like a tester 4

Assassin's Creed 3 - Overtime shift

It's quite some time since you read something about how it is to work as a tester in Ubisoft. So let me remedy this inattention and give you some tasty crumbs from the latest game that will come out this Christmas. You probably know that the GAME I am talking about is Assassin's Creed 3, right? Omitting the fact it is in title of this post, you could read in one of my previous posts.

I wont lie to you, the game is AWESOME - have played it through twice. Really quickly though - my gamers soul is not fully satisfied yet :-) and now I am in the middle of a Multiplayer localization pass. But what this post is going to be about the 46 hours last week we spent on Singleplayer walkthrough of Assassin's Creed 3.

5:15 - Miau, Wake Up, I am hungry and you are sleeping almost 6 hours now. Give me food and make me happy. Geralt knows how to attract attention and lately he also discovered how to open the door to my room and roam around the whole apartment....but thats another story.

6:15 - Well known melody is waking me up. I seriously need to change that thing:-)

6:24 - Bob Sinclair, you SOB I will change you the next time...

6:43 - Finally checking my mail. Yesterday we had to stay late at work and since the taxi driver picked us up with 30 minutes delay I was back home no earlier than 11 pm. Was hoping to check the mails at least, but while the computer was starting I sat on the bed, changed into the nightgown and...the story of  sweet dreams began.

7:28 - Tram number 1 Titan-Basarab is picking me up at Calea Vitan station and taking me those looooong 600m to the nearest metro station. Thinking about the stuf  I should do in the morning: feed the cat-checked, have a breakfast - unchecked, have a shower - checked,...

7:39 - Dristor doi station. If I am going to be lucky I will make it to Basarab in less than 30 minutes and transfer to green line so I might not even be that late for today. Getting into the metro on the first station have some advantages. You always get a seat. I picked my sleeping seat and plunged into a half dreaming state for next 30 minutes. What I really miss here is a book I could read during that time. Already chewed all I had with me and reading the .pdfs is not as pleasurable as having paper pages between my fingertips.

8:10 - 1 Mai station. On the stairs someone is knocking on my shoulder "Good that I am not the only one who is going to be really late"...Alejandro is accompanying me on the way up the stairs.  We are lucky, 105 bus is just passing by. That one is worth to take only if it is passing by while you are near the station, otherwise a little jogging to Ubisoft building is faster.

8:20 - Greeting girls carrying supplies from MEGA IMAGE right across the street from Ubi. Those will be necessary. Today we will spend here another 14 hours. First cup of coke is on its way...

8:50 - The newest build of currently tested game is installed already. Still my tummy is longing for some treatment and I have to leave for MEGA too. On the way there we meet 258 people going to work or already having the same idea as me. So instead of doing business in overcrowded branch of Delvita I am deciding to go next door for sandwich. 4,5 Lei - the old lady subdued to the inflation as any other shopkeeper. Still the sandwich is good for that price.

10:15 - After walking through several side quests My brain is feedbacking me this game sucks ass and I should be doing something else. So I went back here write some senseless quotes. Waiting for the day time to pass. The workers in my homestead will deliver their goods in the morning anyway and the current executable we are running will not allow me to alter the pace of time in game.

11:05 - prolonged break - I like the toilets they have in here - clean and comfy. I am not a person to sit on toilet and reed, but I admit I could do it in here. Only place you have a piece of peace.

11:35 - Long testing and lack of sleep is taking its toll. I don't have power even to hold gamepad in my hands. I am seriously considering going to the relaxation area to sleep for some time. My energy level is reaching the bottom.

12:14 - Another break I went without noticing. Created a bug in which English text is appearing. In this state of testing it means someone/something went really wrong. Funny thing is that in translated text it is present, which means some re-coding needs to be done. Made a video and described that one thoroughly.

12:18 - Time for some music - Crush On Hardcore TATWCV - CD3

12:59 - Lunch time. Since the sandwich was great I decided to go a little later to the Lunch. Vlad and Fox from functionality test department joined me and we spent lovely 40 minutes in discussion about gaming industry fall down and the new course of testing games on-line.

13:40 - my belly is full, but every time after lunch i desire something more. It might be sweet, it might be salty but something for a dessert is a must. Heading for the nearest MEGA IMAGE right across the strees. Should I be lucky, no car will honk at me and my legs will stay attached to my body. There is no pedestrian crossing on Ubi segment of Expozitiei boulevard. There was one in spring not far, but as they upgraded the blacktop they did not bother with updating the pedestrian crossing pattern anymore. Did I mention the street is more than 3km long and absolutely straight? Well you can imagine how FAST the cars are driving on it.

13:50 - Twix and Milk shake won the race for dessert satisfying my whims today. As I was leaving the shop and crossing the deadly street again, French guys from MANA team were leaving our Ubi building and heading for the Otopeni Airport. For past one week they were giving lectures and presentations about our internal Social Network. It was launched last year and since then not much people were joining. Even though the MANA champions are doing heroic job to attract other employees, still there is something missing.
We spent a lovely Monday morning with the whole team answering their questions and giving them hints how to spread MANA all over Ubi more effectively. Overall I have to say they did a good job in here. Well... at least they visited Bucharest and traveled a little around Romania:-)

14:00 - Siting behind my machine again. Wondering where I left Connor and whether is worth to continue this part of the story or simply skip it by using debug menu. Hmmm beloved debug menu. What would a tester do without such a cheating feature. Not only you have the opportunity to skip and load any mission from selected point but you have so many possibilities you can get lost in it. Seriously, just to reach our Localization segment in this super-structured debug menu means going in to the fourth level. We can switch the subtitles, change the language of subtitles or audio, display messages Line IDs and many more. Considering we are just a small part of the whole testing process the possibilities have to be in matter of thousands.

14:30 - 15:50 - Immersed in the game. Although I am already sick of all the loading I consider this version of game somehow stable and reliable since functionality and developers were sitting over it manymanymany hours past 2 weeks. From overall count of the bugs they were able to subtract more than 1/3 and...smoke pause is calling.

16:10 - Our smoke chat was a little longer than it should be. We don't care much, since we are overworked and its getting on our nerves already. We simply do not give a FLOWER.

18:40 - Time for my beloved pizza. When overtime, Ubisoft is giving us free food. We can choose between 3 types of menus - desert, soup and simple or to grab one ordinary pizza(Capriciosa, Hawai, quatro stagione,...). All absolutely for free and with delivery and service. My usual choice - Hawai. I think I might gain weight for those overtime weeks, but am too afraid to step on the scale.

19:30 - Lovely chat over the delicious meal is over and we have to head back in front of your machines. But not without a cigarette.
 
19:40 - Naval missions are awaiting. Since yesterday I roamed through almost all the side missions - god bless the debug menu. And now its tome for a little bit of unusual adventure. Naval missions were already introduced on E3 and other fares. Have not been there, don't know what the marketing heads were bragging about, but what I know is that this part of Assassin's creed 3 makes me feel really free and I can almost smell the salty breeze blowing.


21:00 - BREAAAAAK. With guys for external testing we go out to enjoy the evening cold fresh air and one of the nicotine shots. They arrived from a censored country and with their Sirs and Madams imprinted new and fresh style to our testing routine. Adam, Kristine, Stephanie, Muse, Casper, Timo, Liliana, Marlon, Bruno or Alexandru, all of them were significant. I can say that game testing environment is attracting all sorts of very sophisticated, clever and thorough people...usually inclining to travel and discover. All of them have background stories that would cover many pages and are not as young as you would expect. Sharing many hours with them on the site and also in pubs and clubs made me wonder about this specific and definitely extraordinary occupation. On the one hand you have here freedom, fun and prolonged youth on the other you have to pay attention to detail, be prepared to work really hard and have responsibility for your segment. Assuming all people are gamers in certain parts of their lives and also the well known Shakespeare's quote I wonder, why some are reluctant to admit that all you do, all you live, everything you experience is part of a one big game called life.

"I met a lot of beautiful people during these Assassin's Creed 3 testing rounds and am glad that even for just a limited amount of time, they were part of my life. Farewell and remember. "

22:50 - All 14 missions are proofed. Well not all of them, since some are unable to load, but at least the majority. Hope you will also enjoy playing those naval missions as much as I enjoyed their testing. Andrei is already distributing taxi vouchers and we are finally ordered to leave our machines be.

23:00 - In front of Ubisoft Bucharest solitary groups of testers are waiting for their ride home. Its hot and and smell of dogs is in the air. Tripod guards his territory and enjoys attention of tired employees.
Ubisoft is providing ride home - taxi vouchers to all employees staying over 21:00 for overtime. Its pretty convenient and always useful. Though sometimes the taxi driver forgets to drop by and had to be reminded through their call center - Meridian taxi. Today we are waiting more than 20 minutes.

23:20 - As I was saved from being run over by tram, I realized the fatigue is extreme. Yawning every 30 seconds. Not even smoke can help me to overcome this state of body and mind. Interconnected, they DEMAND to rest.

23:22 - Finally our taxi is here. My stoip is last. I can sink in to the state of unconsciousness.

00:10 - The ride is over. Lukasz is waking me up to take care of the voucher. Nodding. Falling asleep again.

00:13 - The driver fills in the voucher for me. Wishing me sanetate and o sera buna we are parting. 4 more stories in to my apartment and few more steps in to the bed.

TOMORROW at 9 the TESTING STARTS AGIAN.

Bucharest in daily motion - denní život v Bukurešti 9

Rumunské referendum

Sunteți de acord cu demiterea Președintelui României, domnul Traian Băsescu? (Souhlasíte s odvoláním prezidenta Traiana Basescu z funkce?)

DA  x  NU

Možná to víte, možná nevíte. Tady v Romanii se jim znelíbil Basescu, takový místní Václav Klausů. Trochu méně ekonom,  ale o to více mafián. Egomaniaci to budou oba asi tak stejní.


Právě v době prezidentského referenda probíhal den otevřených dveří v Basescově vile - Villa Dante. Jak jsem tak sledoval telku, a tý já běžně moc nedám, připadlo mi, že fronta do Villi Dante byla mnohem delší než ta k volebním urnám. Každý chtěl vidět moderní západoevropské vymoženosti, které si Basescu ze státního rozpočtu pořídil a nechal instalovat ve svém "přiměřeně" velkém hnízdečku. Z videa se můžete dozvědět například to, že Villa Dante stála přes 1 milion € a má přes 400 m čtverečních. Osobně bych za tu hranatou napodobeninu transportního boxu pro kočky nedal ani půl mega €, ale Basescu má asi náročnější kocouře.

Volby probíhají klasicky, jako v ČR. Dva dny - Pátek odpoledne od 14 do 22 a Sobota po celý den. V pátek se moc lidí nedostavilo, kromě toho, že jich většina maká do nevidim, tak mají setsakramentsky jiný starosti než házet papírky do urny. Takže sobota byla hlavní volební den. Po pátečním debaklu, kdy k urnám přišlo jen něco přes 10% Rumunského lidu se klukům celá myšlenka referenda moc nezdála. I přesto, že se ještě ve čtvrtek chvástali jak to tomu PíP spočítají, tak po pátečním mezisoučtu už jim kuráže moc nezbylo.

V pátek po práci jsem si chtěl jít koupit pifsona do nejbližší MEGA IMAGE. Štrádoval jsem si to nejprve do prvního patra pro kočičí hamání, neb Geralt by mi neodpustil kdybych na něj v MEGA zapoměl. Vzal jsem samozřejmě oblíbené těstoviny a i toho předraženého tuňáka. Když jsem se natahoval pro pivko v jednom z regálů, dopadla na mě rázem tvrdě ruka zákona...Security mě plynulou rumunštinou upozornil, že dneska se nepije, že jsou volby.

WTF?! Koho zajímá, že jsou volby, proč bych si jako nemohl pochutnat na vychlazeným "skoropivu", když na něj mám chuť.  

Tak přesně tyhle slova jsem spolkl a s úsměvem jsem mistrovi odpověděl, že limba Romana na mém přijímači nepremává. Borec přepnul do angličtiny a vysvětlil mi, že jsme v perimetru 500m od nejbližší volební místnosti a v tom se alkohol prodávat nesmí. Byl jsem tak zaskočen, že jsem mu slušně odpověděl:

Děkuji za upozornění, netušil jsem, že je zde zavedeno takovéto opatření během voleb.

V sobotu, zatímco se v enormních vedrech menšiny i většiny drali na exkurzi, já se svým novým spolubydličem Marianem, jsme vyrazili do volebních místností. Teodor to v průběhu dne vzdal a jeho revoluční nadšení utichlo v rachotu sobotního fotbalového utkání místního týmu zalito notnou dávkou piva. Zbylo to hold jen na nás, cizinci a 28-letém pracujícím studentovi. Vyrazili jsme po 7 hodině večerní. Mezisoučet hlásil 37% účast. Což může vypadat hodně, ale potřeba je 50% a volby končí za pár hodin.

Po cestě jsme potkali mnoho lidí a Marian měl trochu strach, že s ním jdu až do areálu místní školy, kde měl sídlo volební obvod 429. Raději mě opustil, ještě před ním a poradil mi ať čekám venku. ale co bych to byl za investigativního reportéra, kdybych se nenakýbloval dovnitř. Optal jsem se místní security, jestli je v cajku tady fotit. Ten mě usměrnil, že jo, ale ne přímo ve volební místnosti. Lidi obecně tu koukaj na foťáky s podezřením. Navíc jsem cizinec a nechtěl jsem dostat do držky. Tak jsem se omezil na pár decentních snímků bez obličejů voličů.

A jak to všechno dopadlo:

Účast:  47%

DA: 89%

NU:  11%

Jelikož tu funguje stejnou parlamentní demokracie jako u nás, tak referendum je platné jen při 50% účasti. Lidi byli pár dní trochu namíchnutí ale dlouho jim to nevydrželo. Musejí chodit do háku a živit rodiny, na demokratický sametový revoluce nemají čas ani klíče.

Podle nejnovějších zpráv šli celé výsledky voleb před ústavní soud a výsledné rozhodnutí se odložilo na polovinu září.

Plakáty hlásající Basescu hai, la revedere zůstali viset v ulicích, ale život tu jde dál...snad to vyjde příště!

Transfagaras highway trip

Transfagaras - Across the Carpathian mountains 

 

Road 7C is well known as the Transfagarash highway. But don't be confused, the road has so far to highway as i have to superhero. Although it is well managed and pretty passable in the summer, between October and  May is closed since it is impossible to maintain it during the tough intercontinental Romanian winter. Romanians call the Transfagarash highway "Ceauşescu's Folly" since he planned to build that road in order to move armed forces much quickly from north(or to the north)...well his concept, I doubt there was any concept at all for this road. Anyway trying to pass this road in a hedge back is a challenge so I would love to see tank driver maneuver that curved road.

Our trip started at Brasov

the evening before. We gathered at the Beke hostel. Lovely place almost in the heart of Brasov. No more than 3 minutes from Biserica Neagra and less than 5 from cable car station to the famous Brasov sign on the hill. Find that hostel is not easy, but the comfort is worth it. We paid 40 Lei for overnight and had our own facilities.

While I was still testing Assassin's Creed 3, David with Monica, for whom this was the last trip before departing to their native country of USA, rented a car in Bucharest airport. I was supposed to travel to Brasov with them, but AC3 was more importnt in that time, so I decided to join them in the evening at the Brasov train station. Which is by the way quite far from the historical center. All of the trains from Bucharest will drop you off at the Gara Centrala Brasov and you have to take trolley(in front of the station) or buss (a little to the right from the station) to get there. Numbers that are going to take you are 4, 51, 23 and 23B.

While I was waiting for my travel buddies I met 2 backpackers from Germany. They already visited Predeal and were on their way to Bran castle and Peles near Sinaia. I offered them to join us at the Beke guest house, but they were much better prepared and their surfer picked them up in the next minute. Couchsurfing is definitely worth the try:-)


8.30 in the morning multiple cellphones alarm clocks started to ring and sunny morning welcomed us. Quick shower, small mic dejun in the city center and the car was ready to try one of the toughest roads in Romania. David mastered the European, well more Romanian style of driving pretty fast and we departed no later than at 9. On our way out of Brasov we stopped at Real to buy supplies and refill the fuel tank.

First part of the road

might be pretty monotonous. Though the views and sights on Romanian countryside are breathtaking. The air is fresh and smells much better than in Bucharest. Its a completely different world.
In fagaras we met this "Google street view car" so in case we are lucky, we are going to be immortalized(well our car most likely) on google maps:-) We were all so excited that almost forgot where to take the left turn to start the second part of our road - the ascend.

Just a few hundred meters past Arpase de Jos is a roundabout that will decide your adventures. If you continue to the west, you will end up in a region of Sibiu and one of the most beautiful cities in Romania where Mari-An studies. But we turned left and head south towards the majestic Carpathian mountains and region called Arges.

Passing the sign

announcing Transfagarasan road 7C is opened only from June to September our expectations were rising so was the adrenaline level. As the curves started to lead our car uphill, the scenery began to change. Flat meadows were replaced by deep coniferous forests, calm rivers by swift creeks and sunny hot afternoon changed into a cloudy cold one before we even reached the peak.

Tee peak

of the Transfagarasan highway is located at 2014m above sea level and is one of the most elevated roads in Europe. (Another one is the Transalpine highway located also in Romania.) The peak is pierced by a tunnel that leads underneath it and will take you from one side to another. North side is dominated by the Balea Lake. Beautiful glacial lake with 2 hotels at the bank (third one in construction for more than 20 years). Should you have the time, powers and suitable weather conditions take one hour hike to a nearby Balea waterfall.

As we reached the other side of the tunnel, which is by the way the longest tunnel in Romania, we stopped for a snack and obligatory "Picture time". Cloudy weather was left behind on the other side of the mountains and we used all the time before the clouds crossed the mountains to make some pictures. Stopping on almost every curve and taking pics of everything and anything - we enjoyed that time.

As the time was passing so were the miles and we eventually reached Poenari fortress. in the lower elevations. My stomach was begging for something more to eat and also to rest from the curvy road. I was never a fan of bus/car traveling in the rear seats and Transfagaras tested my resilience well. Poenari fortress is an actual place of rule of the most famous Romanian - Vlad the 3rd, Wallachian Prince known as Vlad Tepes - Dracula. Fortress is located on top of a steep hill and visitor has to beat more than 1800 steps to get there.

Curtea de Arges

Considering the time and that this was Monica's and David's last trip we decided to leave it for another time and head to the nearby town of Curtea de Arges which posses the most famous cathedral in Romania (check out the 1 LEU bill and you will know why;-) Monica is a big fan of these sacral architectural jewels in Romania.

The time was running out and we decided to quickly drop Mari-An in Pitesti and hit the road to Bucharest as fast as possible. On the way I was sleeping or chatting in turns and what I remember vividly enough is that in Curtea de Arges they have much more stray dogs than anywhere else I have been in Romania.

Edit:

Round 2 - Transfagaras sequel in Toyota Corolla

Right! We did one more trip through this extraordinary road. With borrowed car from Avis car rental. Toyota Corolla 1.4 was our vehicle. And the driver - Holistr. I simply wanted to drive the road on my own. Have the opportunity to drive those serpentines for myself and squeeze from the engine what it takes.