Hmn.
So my excitement for the "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" Romania episode is so overwhelming, I decided to pop onto IMDB.com's forums to see if anyone had any info on it, namely where he goes and what kind of dishes are served. Sadly, my expectations are greatly reduced.
First off, his guide is Russian. Wait, what?! That's like hiring a German to show you around Poland. Right off the bat, I can tell this is going to be an awkward and uncomfortable show.
Secondly, his Russian guide is pretty much hammered the entire show. Great. I can't wait to watch a drunk Russian yammer away in a Romanian setting.
Third, they stay at a Dracula-themed motel. What the hell are they thinking?! If you want to get an idea of a country's particular flavor (pun intended), stay the hell away from the tourist traps! Seriously, I don't think I could ever bring myself to go to a Dracula-themed attraction in Romania-- it just has to be campy (and not in the kind of fun-ish Disney kind of camp. I'm sure it's more post-Soviet-bloc "hey look, we're capitalists now!" kind of camp. Ish). It's one thing to go have a meal at the Vlad Tepes restaurant-- there's actual history there. And it's a good, respectable restaurant, not a theme joint at all. My heart is starting to hurt at the thought of this Motel Dracula thing. With the drunk Russian. Oh, dear. **edit** Fuck fuck fuck, I suddenly got the sick feeling that Motel Dracula is *in* Sighisoara. It would make sense since Tepes was born there and lived there until he was sold off to the Turks, but it would annoy me because most of Sighisoara's charm is in the perma-eighteenth century feel of the town, and such a campy, touristy trap would dampen that "time travel" magic.
Bourdain's blog expresses his own disappointment in this episode. Evidently, it's something of a disaster. Feh.
I'm still watching. It should still have its high points, and maybe some great scenery shots. While my enthusiasm has subdued (seriously, dude, Russian guide? Russian guide?! GAH!), I'm still taping it and taking notes. I'm sure it will still feed me lots of culinary details and scenery details for my stories. And even though Motel Dracula hardly sounds promising, I'm still holding out hope that they will stop in Sighisoara.
**edit** Okay, thank gods the campy tourist trap hotel was in Brasov and not Sighisoara. And Bourdain's sense of humor is wonderful, I've fallen in love with his commentary. Even though it's painfully obvious he's not enjoying himself at all, and even though the Motel Dracula thing sucked royally, I'm totally geeking out over the rest of the show. The reviews I'd read before hand were quite a lot harsher than merited, for the most part. But the show is only half over at this point. Either way, I'm feeling that heartachey longing for home with every shot of the Carpathian country side. Please, please give me some footage of Sighisoara!
First off, his guide is Russian. Wait, what?! That's like hiring a German to show you around Poland. Right off the bat, I can tell this is going to be an awkward and uncomfortable show.
Secondly, his Russian guide is pretty much hammered the entire show. Great. I can't wait to watch a drunk Russian yammer away in a Romanian setting.
Third, they stay at a Dracula-themed motel. What the hell are they thinking?! If you want to get an idea of a country's particular flavor (pun intended), stay the hell away from the tourist traps! Seriously, I don't think I could ever bring myself to go to a Dracula-themed attraction in Romania-- it just has to be campy (and not in the kind of fun-ish Disney kind of camp. I'm sure it's more post-Soviet-bloc "hey look, we're capitalists now!" kind of camp. Ish). It's one thing to go have a meal at the Vlad Tepes restaurant-- there's actual history there. And it's a good, respectable restaurant, not a theme joint at all. My heart is starting to hurt at the thought of this Motel Dracula thing. With the drunk Russian. Oh, dear. **edit** Fuck fuck fuck, I suddenly got the sick feeling that Motel Dracula is *in* Sighisoara. It would make sense since Tepes was born there and lived there until he was sold off to the Turks, but it would annoy me because most of Sighisoara's charm is in the perma-eighteenth century feel of the town, and such a campy, touristy trap would dampen that "time travel" magic.
Bourdain's blog expresses his own disappointment in this episode. Evidently, it's something of a disaster. Feh.
I'm still watching. It should still have its high points, and maybe some great scenery shots. While my enthusiasm has subdued (seriously, dude, Russian guide? Russian guide?! GAH!), I'm still taping it and taking notes. I'm sure it will still feed me lots of culinary details and scenery details for my stories. And even though Motel Dracula hardly sounds promising, I'm still holding out hope that they will stop in Sighisoara.
**edit** Okay, thank gods the campy tourist trap hotel was in Brasov and not Sighisoara. And Bourdain's sense of humor is wonderful, I've fallen in love with his commentary. Even though it's painfully obvious he's not enjoying himself at all, and even though the Motel Dracula thing sucked royally, I'm totally geeking out over the rest of the show. The reviews I'd read before hand were quite a lot harsher than merited, for the most part. But the show is only half over at this point. Either way, I'm feeling that heartachey longing for home with every shot of the Carpathian country side. Please, please give me some footage of Sighisoara!