If it's spreadable, don't call it fat, call it schmaltz, and it might be more palatable. Andrej Codrescu (sp?) mentioned that this spread on bread with perhaps on onion on top used to be his lunch as a child in Romania.

When I was growing up in England my after school snack was dripping toast - the "dripping" was the fat that drips off roasting meat, kept in the fridge where it congeals. Sounds awful now, but it tasted good then!

OWJ, I'll try to round a couple up and email you after work tonight.

Good trip report as usual. I would like you to produce, direct, and edit my next trip report.

The schmaltz (fat) on bread, I've been told, is to help protect the stomach lining from the booze.

<i>The schmaltz (fat) on bread, I've been told, is to help protect the stomach lining from the booze.</i>

And conversely, a shot of tuica will help offset the fat.

For those who have asked I have posted an update about my appointment today on this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...tty-update.cfm

Thanks for the link! Best wishes - and definitely sounds like time for a second opinion.

A shot of tuica will offset a kidney for that matter!

I was wondering if you ever wrote your report (hey, the search works pretty darn good!)

Now I've got to read your report, caph's reports, and finish writing my Paris report! Man this place is becoming a full-time job!!

"Man this place is becoming a full-time job!!"

I know exactly what you mean, stw!

Awesome report, P_M!!! What? No hot air balloon ride on this trip? You seem to always get one in. What happened? Romania has actually been on my long list, but has now moved up to the short list. Thank you, thank you for sharing with us.

stw and CAPH, being a Fodorite is indeed hard work, just like tourism is hard work. But somebody's got to do it, and I am happy to do my part.

Hi lucy_d, I didn't see any hot air balloons in Romania, but I would have done it in a jiffy if the opportunity arose. Glad you liked the report.

I enjoyed your report. I've never thought of going to Romania, but it sounds like an interesting place.

We were just in Bermuda where the taxi driver stopped to get gas (huh?!?) and left the meter running. Ridiculous to have to stop and even more ridiculous to keep charging for the time. DH paid the driver and I have to ask him if he gave any tip at all, or just paid the fare. We both noticed the meter running.

ttt

P_M

Thanks for your great trip report. We love Romania and your report brought back many fond memories. I had to laugh when I read about the Hotel Coroana! We stayed there on our first trip to Brasov and it must still be the same surly restaurant staff and bad coffee. After the first morning, I ordered tea.

When we returned a couple of years later, we rented a nice apartment and made Brasov our central location for a month as we traveled in Romania and Turkey. I'd go back in a heartbeat! Thanks for the memories.

Hi all,

Sorry to be so late but here is a link to some of my favorite Romania pics. Enjoy!!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v4...view=slideshow

P_M:

Great, nostalgic pix...haven't been back since 2005. You must get into Maramuresh when you return. Hope all goes wll with you....
stu

Thanks for such a great report.

P_M:

Here are some selected Romanian pix from a recent trip...been there several times in the past...still scanning the older pre-digital pix from 70's, 80's.
http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Romania2005#
stu

Thanks for the pics stu. So many places I recognized and a few things I missed. Your pics capture the rustic side of Romania as well as some great people pics.