East Coast elites gonna East Coast elite

Why are those assholes acting so surprised that Romania has AWESOME FUCKING CASTLES!

This is why Klaus Iohannis won the presidency.

Cobblestones? Check. Castles? Check. Budget? Check. Why Romania Is Worth the Trip.

 

I actually did travel to Romania as part of a European backpacking trip and liked it a whole lot. There was great hiking where we were in Transylvania and we ate at a place that purported to be Dracula's house. (I imagine there are many places in Romania that make that claim.) Also, one night a bunch of us from the hostel went out and tied one on, and me and my two buddies were the only ones who didn't wind up with prostitutes.

 

WE'RE A HARDY PEOPLE, DIXIE!

And we like to remind people of that every three seconds, as if other people in the country don't have fortitude.

 

The Michigan side of Lake Michigan also has some spectacular beaches -- Warren Dunes, Saugatuck Dunes, etc.

Growing up in the Chicago area, it was an urban legend that you can see the downtown skyline from the beaches in southwestern Michigan on a clear day. Saw a lively discussion about it a few years ago on a travel site. A few posters provided photographic evidence; others argued that the images had to be Photoshopped. It's an immense skyline -- clearly visible from as far east as Indiana Dunes -- and I was able to see it from one of the interstates about 40 miles out on my recent visit, so who knows.

 

I feel like I couldn't see it from Warren Dunes this summer. I tried, but I think what I was seeing were the Indiana steel mills.

You can unquestionably see it from Michigan City, Indiana, where I used to live. On Fourth of July one year, we went to the beach there with another couple and watched fireworks, we believe, in four states.

 

Then you'd be surprised. The youtube results for Indiana dunes can give you a glimpse--white sand, pretty blue water, rolling waves, lovely dunes--basically the whole beach experience minus saltwater and overpricing.

 

Romania has many virtues, including the fact—not opinion, fact—that it's home to the world's most beautiful women and ugliest men.

 

I don't like to for that reason. The kids do. But, yes, it takes a long time to warm up each summer.

 

The thing is, when you live and grow up here, it's not like you're thinking, "We're going to the beach in Gary today." You talk about West Beach or Whihala or Well Street Beach or the Dunes. It's not like you're driving through the ghetto to get to these beaches. Although I do make a point of telling my kids that the beach is in Gary. First, because he always wants to know. Second, so that they have a positive image of Gary.

 

I wouldn't get terribly concerned about East Coasters flocking to Gary for the beaches.