After that we went to a museum to see the many Roman statues that were also found, this time when they were building the train station. There was also a roomful of Roman glass bottles and jars. These held oils and perfumes. There were also many golden Roman coins. The cases the coins were displayed in had moveable magnifying glasses so we could see the beautiful detail. There was also a skeleton they found and was complete with coins, jars, jewelry etc. he might need in the next world. Yuck! It doesn't leave much treasure for the heirs! One of the most amazing statues was one with the body of a snake, a head of a deer, the hair of a human and a tail of the lion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   From the tag:                                                                  From the tag:

 

 

 

 

 

After the museum we went to a casino that was built when there was royalty. The bones of the building and some of the touches were very nice. It showed so much neglect. It was called a casino and was used by royalty and guests but during Nikolai's time he entertained guests and gambled there. Of course during Communist time it was against the law for the people other than him to gamble in Romania. Of course they would not have had funds for that anyway! They were repairing the promenade around the casino and along the Black Sea so we walked through the rubble to have a look. Irina says you could rent it for weddings. It would take more money to clean than paying for a wedding! Michael went upstairs and the floors were an inch deep in pigeon guano! The walls and chandeliers told of a more beautiful and prosperous time however!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We visited an Orthodox church in Constanta. There was a priest giving some kind of communion to a family who had lost a member of their family. When that happens the family brings food for the poor for seven years. There were poor people coming to the church for food. It seems if you feed others for seven years you have a better chance to get to heaven... or maybe get your relative that died a second chance.

The church was really cool...pictures everywhere. Michael got a picture of one of the priests.

Before getting back to the ship, we we're taken to Mammaya Beach, their most popular beach in good weather. We were the only ones there (other than the sea birds) because of the cool weather and it was a work day. It is the first time we have seen so much litter and junk all over, we have been impressed on how clean the roads and cities have been. Many people from the bus "bravely" put their fingers in the Black Sea so they could say they did it, but of course I took one shoe off and went in the water and Vic slushed around in the mud and sea in his sandals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By then we were hungry (we do a ton of eating here) and we headed to the ship, but not before an impromptu stop at a harvest market selling meats, fruits, veggies, flowers, bakery goods etc. We were given many samples and although some looked a little suspicious, we took a taste. Michael bought a huge "chain" of pretzels to eat with our cheese, fruit and wine... just for two dollars American. We keep thinking we will get together for a picnic but are not hungry when there is free time for it! Of course when we got to the ship a wonderful lunch was waiting for us.