CONTRASTS: Oradea 1999, showing the grim drabness of Soviet-era apartment blocks (contrast next photo)
CONTRASTS: Oradea 2007, showing the city's emerging wealth (at approximately the same spot as previous photo)
New homes reveal the wealth of Oradea's emerging upper class.
This neighborhood has sprouted in the last 2-3 years. Private vehicles reflect the growing wealth of Oradea's upper classes, too.
Flower vendors during Friday's evening rush hour.
Radish-and-onion stands sprout at Friday evening's rush hour.
The Lotus Market, the latest shopping mall in Oradea.
Inside the Lotus Market.
Food court in the Lotus Market.
In 1998, this was the only “supermarket” in town. It still operates in the shadow of Lotus Market, SelGros, a Tesco store, and other large grocery stores.
The old and the new: SelGros is a new, Sam's Club-type store.
A genuine Gypsy (Roma) caravan, consisting of two wagons (see next photos). Photo taken from the window in my room at Emmanuel University.
All the Gypsy family's belongings are in this wagon.
