Celebrating Unity, Learning Solidarity: How We Spent Romania's National Day

     

   

    Today Romania is celebrating. It is our National Day, also known as the Great Unity, the day when, 97 years ago, we became one big country. Live music, people gathering from all the corners of the city, Christmas lights and national flags colour and illuminate the scenery in several cities. In general, for us, this represents the opening of the winter festivities season.

        However, this year everything took place under a dark cloud, or at least many of us feel like this. Those who have been following the news know that exactly one month ago a major tragedy took place in Bucharest. A nightclub caught fire during a rock concert, causing a total of 60 deaths and hundreds of people injured. Apart from the tragedy of all these lives lost or harmed, it was discovered that the club was functionning illegally, without respecting some key safety laws. In other words, corruption had helped the club function, although, legally speaking, it should have not. 

            Last month's tragedy was a (new) last straw in a world where corruption had been reigning for many years, and this time corruption had been at the foundation of a tragedy of proportions. What followed for the entire country was a mix of grief and anger, between flowers and candles for the victims of the club Colectiv fire, and street protests against a flawed governing class. The protests were peaceful, and fortunately no episodes of violence were registered. In the end, as you might also know, it culminated with the resignation of the entire government, which made most of the country rejoice, but also hope for better times ahead for our country.

           How did it feel to be among the protesters? From my own experience, it was a feeling of togetherness. I didn't know those people, but we were all there for each other and for the future of our country, regardless of age or social status. 

        What did we learn from this experience? That we CAN stick together and be united, if we want, and results will show, although for some people it was too late. That Romanians are not as individualist as I often accused them to be. That a country that is (geographically) big, deserves also to be great. These days, one month later, I often feel that people are much more open towards each other, but also to believe in ourselves as a nation, and turn towards our real values, and to those of us who can make Romania a better world. Some friends of mine who are (still) a bit cynical will accuse me of being (still) idealistic, but I love them anyway! ;)

            What I wish Romania for her birthday (gee, she's one old lady ;) )? To keep improving in this respect, to keep learning solidarity and respect for the others, to value safety and justice above material interests, to learn to trust and also help in times of need. And of course, a lot of strenght for the fire victims' families and also for the survivors. 

              Happy birthday, wonderful country of (actually and potentially) great people! La mulți ani, România!

              

               

        

Paris Terrorist Attacks: Who Is to Blame?

     

  

   We all know what happened last night in Paris, and we are all under shock. Less than a year later, what happened at the Charlie Hebdo headquarters proved itself to be just an introduction to a violent episode of a much larger scale, with a much bigger number of victims. I couldn't help but remember episodes such as September 11th 2001 in New York, the train bombings of Madrid in 2004, or the underground bombings in London in 2005. And it makes me wonder... why are some countries more exposed, or more targetted than others? 

     Amongst several comments, I read somewhere something along the lines of: "So, you wanted integration of immigrants? There you go, now have it!" Which, taken as a concept in itself, I deem totally unfair. We live in a globalized world, whether we like it or not. People move to different countries from their country of birth on a daily basis and in all directions. Multicultural environments are becoming more and more the norm, rather than exceptions. Heck, I've been an immigrant myself, and I met many other very peaceful immigrants. 

     Are certain religions causing more evil than others? Well, given the fact that many mass murders took place on non-religious bases, I wouldn't bet all my money on it.  However, it is religious fanatism that is harmful. Yes, muslims stand out more than other religions, especially because of the past episodes of terrorism which I mentioned before, be they claimed by Al-Qaeda or ISIS. However, I also have many muslim friends and aquaintances whose moral quality cannot be denied. 

      What should be done, in your opinion? A more strict control of immigrant inflows, possibly over an extended time frame? Undercover control of immigrant communities? How should we separate the good from the evil, in order to protect our own countries, but also to make sure nobody gets unfairly labelled or discriminated? 

       One of those posts which has more questions than answers. But I do need your opinions. May the victims of this attack rest in peace, as well as the victims of other similar episodes of violence around the world, and let's just take some time to reflect on what could be done in order for these things not to happen again. 

     

Books and Bookstores: a Charm that Technology Can't Beat

                   

     How much do we read these days? Or should we say: do we still read? Maybe not as much as we would like, due to our busy lifestyles, a small amount of spare time that we would often spend otherwise, and, of course, because of the internet, which provides us with all the information we need, including literary works in full. 

         

    But... it's not the same. It's not the same as the relaxing atmosphere of a bookstore, the colours, the smell of paper, or the feeling you have when you touch the book. Today I ended up in a bookstore which has a very special vibe to it (if you visit Romania, and especially Bucharest, check out the Carturesti bookstores chain ;) ). It is located in a 19th century house in the city center, not very big, but just enough, and most surely not "mainstream". It gives that feeling of grandparents' house full of books. But also CDs, DVDs and the good old vinyl discs, toys and board games, numerous kinds of tea and tea serving accesories. All things simple, pretty, colourful and of high sentimental value to everyone.

             

         It makes you want to relax and it makes you want to read. And somehow, you never go home empty-handed. Can a laptop or a tablet compete? It's surely easier to use, and cheaper, as you only pay your internet provider bill. But do you reallt see yourself tucked in your bed on a snowy winter evening, with a laptop? Not very picturesque, is it? Yes, we understand modernity, but can't we just step back at least for a little while every day? Grab a book, relax and start reading. It's not even as harmful for the eyes (yes, lately I've been getting sore eyes for spending too much time writing and reading on my PC). 

            

           Let's make a deal: 

           1. Let's spend at least half an hour reading every day, it's not a lot of time. 

         2. If we are working and earn our own money, let's buy at least one book a month. Together with travel, books are the other thing you buy which make you richer.  

         3. If you are a parent, try reading to your little ones as much as you can.  It did benefit us in our childhood, so let's give them that joy too! 

         

Should I Stay or Should I Go? When it Comes to Living Abroad, what Would Make You Want to Remain?

          

     Many of us, myself included, experienced what it means to live in a different country than the one of origin, for an extended amount of time (let's say, from six months onwards). Sometimes we leave with the intention to remain, but our plans are changed when we face the reality of that environment. Sometimes, we only plan to stay for a few months, but eventually we love it so much, that we end up remaining there all our lives. Or simply we go there for a fixed amount of time, for the sake of the experience, knowing exactly what we'll be doing there, and then return home (or move somewhere else), considering our experience an independent chapter in our life with a definite closure. Or, like myself, you end up not really "leaving" any of your two (or more) home countries, and regardless of where you reside, you stay emotionally, technologically and occasionally physically present in your "other world". 

          But when you stay, what makes you WANT to stay? 

1. A stable work situation:

     Maybe the least poetic or fascinating factor, but finding an interesting and fullfilling activity after your studies and being able to support yourself is a big deal. Without this, when you are abroad you find yourself at a big risk, without support from the state and / or a consistent financial reserve. With that sorted out, we can move to other factors. 

2. Friends:

      Assuming that you are a social creature, and that you are doing your best to have an active social life, finding good friends to share your best moments with is crucial. If you and your friends share the same values in life, attribute the same meaning to having fun, and support each other in times of need, in spite of the different backgrounds, then consider yourself lucky, because loneliness away from home will not be an issue for you. And besides, maybe from these friendships and social activities, another important part of your life would develop. You know what I mean... ;)

3. Cultural similarities:

    It is said that if you end up in an environment that shares roughly the same cultural values you grew up with, you would feel more "at home", and therefore more likely to remain. What is deemed right and what is deemed wrong in your country of adoption? Do you agree? Is it also your way of making sense of the world? Did you suffer major cultural shocks, that left you appalled? Consider these questions before making a lifetime decision.

4. Cultural differences:

     By the same token, we come to the opposite end of the spectrum. If you thrive on differences more than similarities, then these differences will attract you. It would be a life full of discovery and learning, you would totally transform your views of the world, but still, on the condition that you don't encounter major problems, and that you still apply points 1 and 2. Alas, I'm so curious if my European friends who currently live in places like India or China would actually remain there indefinitely! ;)

5. Cultural mosaics:

       There are those cosmopolitan envrionments, especially in the western world, where you can encounter all nationalities and cultures. Hence, if this is the case, everyone can fit in. The native population may or may not be your ideal company, there are also other expat communities and national minorities which you would resonate better with. For example, this is why people of numerous nationalities are drawn to cities like London, Paris, or New York. 

6. An immigrant-friendly attitude:

         I would say that point 5 is a consequence of this one, but not necessarily. It is also a big deal to feel accepted, and to enjoy a high degree of freedom in your country of destination, without suffering from limitations in the workplace, or without being marginalized in social circles. However, who you are as a person, and the respect you show to both yourself and the receiving population also plays a major part. Being liked and respected is not about nationality, and if for some people it is, then they are the unworthy ones. 

      That's the long and short of it, of what I learned from my own experiences and those of my friends and aquaintances. If you were in such situation, what were the determining factors in your case? 

The Truth about Life in Romania: the Romanian Social Butterfly

       

     

    I promised I would tell you small bits and pieces about life in Romania, and here comes the first installment, which, I should mention, applies more to life in Bucharest and major cities. Being in the first part of autumn, good weather is slowly starting to leave us. But during spring, summer and the first part of autumn, Bucharest vibrates with social life and events of all kinds, especially in the open air. Concerts, theatre festivals in the streets, international manifestations, exhibitions, organized city exploration, and so-so much more. During the warmer time of year, it is impossible not to find something to do, or some event to attend, by day or by night. And all these events generate huge crowds, because most of them tend to be free of charge. 

                             

       And here comes the first Romanian specimen we'll talk about, and which I admit I often identify with: the social butterfly. If free time is not a problem, or at least during weekends, Romanians like to put their gladrags on, take their friends, significant other or family members, and go out. People of all ages: from families with kids and even pets, to groups of youngsters, to senior citizens. For us, it's a method to relax, learn new things, and spend some time in the open with our dear ones. We don't have to spend a fortune if we don't want. It's simply about going outside and enjoying the city. Sometimes I feel there is a deep desire for beauty, in the middle of a pretty stressful everyday life. Like a small oasis of joy. After all, why shouldn't we break away from the TV and the gloomy news we are being given every day? ;) 

                             

     But mind you: we usually tend to go out accompanied by our own circles of close people. Therefore, it happens very rarely to go out by yourself with the purpose of making new friends. See the difference? We shall talk at a later date about Romanians and friendship. But for the time being, keep in mind that if you want to visit Romania, and especially Bucharest, there is plenty to be seen, apart from the traditional touristic attraction. In fact, the pictures I have chosen are from three events that I recently attended:  an exploration itinerary in the old city with its architecture, an artisanal artefacts fair, and last autumn's 555th anniversary of Bucharest, which included lots of fairs and artistic performances.      Sometimes, you won't know what to choose between the various cultural manifestations. You will never get bored! 

The Truth about Life in Romania: Part 1

       

   During the past couple of years, my native city of Bucharest has become my place of residence again, after four years of living in Milano. People ask me how it feels to be back home, some of them assume it's automatically better to be back to your roots, and others look at me worriedly, having in mind all the bad stereotypes which circulate about my country.

            

         Ok, guys! Let me start with the beginning: life in Romania is far from perfect, mainly due to numerous political and social issues. There are good and bad things, like in every place of the world. But it's a complex society, full of contrasts: the rich and the poor, the traditional and the global, the ancient and the modern, the high-brow intellectual and the "simpleton". I often wondered what I would think if I found myself here for the first time in my life.  What would I think of the places I see, or the people and situations I'm dealing with? Would I like this country or not? And, most of all, what would I tell my foreign friends and aquaintances who've never been here before, or who would like to return here for an extended period of time?

             

         Therefore, I'll take the challenge: once a month (at least), I will share with you some facts about everyday life in Romania, especially Bucharest. The good, the bad, and the ugly, from the average citizen's point of view. Things which may not make it on the news, because they are neither good or bad - they just exist, and we're used to them. Things that are not that "unique", so that they become national stereotypes. I'm not talking about touristic places and festive cultural practices either: for those we'll have separate posts. Let's uncover the truth about life in Romania together! 

A Romanian in the UK: My First Migration Experience as an Adult

         

    Around this time, 15 years ago, I was having an experience which changed my life, and which actually taught me about what it means to be immersed in another country's culture. Moving to the UK for studies was a turning point, and actually, my first migration experience as an adult. Well, as probably you know, my family and I did move to Italy for the first time when I was two years old, but this is something different. It was not my first time in the UK though, as a few years prior I first went there as part of a school programme, and stayed with a really nice family from Derby, with whom I am still in contact, and I returned there two or three times afterwards, until the big move. 

          Whereas Italy is my second home, and I got used to it with far bigger ease, the UK was an adult decision which belonged to me, with all its consequences. Was it going to be merely about discovery, or building a new life to last forever? At the beginning I didn't know: I left with the idea that it would be the second option, but in the end it turned out to be the first one. In fact, after graduation I returned to Romania, and since then I've only returned about twice, last time in 2008.

         Sooo, London calling! (Can you hear The Clash in the background? ;) ) I was going to study Media, and become a journalist, or a television professional, or anything related. For a while, so I did, but that's another story, and we'll talk about it another time. For the numerous people who fascinatedly ask me how it was, I will offer you a list of do's and don't's, and likes and dislikes, but keep in mind that everything listed here is subjective, as perceived through the eyes of a girl in her late teens to early 20s, from a very-very-very different cultural background. Perhaps some things have changed, or perhaps I would see them differently these days. 

... Big like: The friendliness and approachable nature of people. People of all ages would come to talk to you at any time, and in any place, even if they only make remarks about the weather (yes, it's not a myth). And yes, it often happens to be approached by a random guy in the street, in the bar or at the club, and be asked out, or asked for your number. Sometimes it's creepy (depends how pushy they are), and sometimes it's funny. But of course you don't have to accept if you don't want. Shop assistants, bartenders, bus drivers - they are very helpful, and the good old "please" and "thank you" are never missing. At university or at work, it is easy to socialize with your mates, and also with your neighbours. And before you ask: no, I haven't encountered discrimination towards foreigners, at least not on an individual level (with institutional level, it's something else, but we'll get there later). And they say the Brits are cold! As if! ;) What I also like about the people is their modesty and simplicity: they don't pretend to be something they're not, no hidden "dark sides", no hypocrisy or snobbery. "What you see is what you get". And I hope these traits have not changed.

... Do choose London if you want multiculturalism. London is full of a wide variety of cultures, not just British: you'll meet many people of Indian, African, Caribbean, Oriental backgrounds, from the former Commonwealth countries, but also the biggest concentration of more recent foreign immigrants. Most of them actually gravitate around specific city areas. In other words, you'll get the chance to get a glimpse of several cultures, you will make friends with people from all parts of the world, and eventually you'd find people you fit in with, learn about cultural differences, but also find shared values.

           

... Do choose London also if you want a city that never sleeps and an active social life. Apart from the famous tourist attractions which we all know, you can go partying in Leicester Square, shopping in Oxford Street, seeing your favourite bands live at Wembley Arena or a famous musical in the West End, or being a rocker in Camden Town, or being in the audience of a live TV show. I did them all, by the way. Are these your pint of beer... ehm... cup of tea? ;) Well, then London is definitely for you. On one condition: that you have all the energy you can possibly get, because resting is not really an option, and I often found myself saying "enough!" (but it was never really enough, as one thing leads to another, and then another, and then another...)

                  

... Don't choose London, however, if you need a more relaxed atmosphere, a more typically British setting, or closeness with nature. Instead do choose a smaller town, there are many charming ones to choose from. My favourites are Bournemouth (photo), Cambridge, Oxford, Derby, Brighton or York. The order is arbitrary and each of them has its particular good points. But in my opinion, such cities are more reflective of the real England, as opposed to cosmopolitan London.

... Big like: Community spirit and active citizenship. From this point of view, the Brits have a lot to teach Romanians. Even in a big city like London, communities are very well defined around city areas, as the city is very smartly divided into boroughs, each of them with its local council. Therefore, in your area you will have local institutions and local organizations which carry out a wide variety of activities: charity events, environmental activities, sporting events, socializing evenings, etc. Volunteering with them is a great opportunity to do something useful for the neigbourhood you live in, but also to make new friends. 

...  Big dislike: binge drinking, with all its consequences. Sometimes, it makes nice people turn nasty, and it makes attractive guys turn unattractive (at least for me). Plus, it removes people's responsibility for their actions: "Oops, did I call you a crazy b**ch last night? I'm sorry, I was drunk!", "Did I start telling people about your personal matters? Oops, sorry, I was drunk!" (true story). And for a non-drinker like myself, seeing people finding fun in that and almost forcing you to drink more and more and more, was a cultural shock, and I often felt like a "fish out of water". Some people didn't go this far, though, or at least knew their own limit, and I preferred to socialize with those. Let's call it "cultural uncompatibility". ;) To all those with this fabulous habit: please guys, take care of your health! Besides, you're all so much nicer when you're sober! ;)

... Like: the university system, with very well structured programmes. No filling up the timetable with useless subjects (apart from maybe one or two, or perhaps the curricula was wrong, not the idea), focused placed mostly on creativity and analytical thinking rather than a reproduction of theory, clear instructions on assigments, marks given fairly, generally efficient administrative services, and helpful staff. The relationship with teachers is informal, and you call them by their first name. Cool, ain't it? ;)

... Dislike: high prices, especially for houses / rents, and especially in London.

                   

... Like: mix of traditional and modern. For example, people with modern lifestyles and life values, combined with traditional settings, such as those charming houses in Victorian or Tudor style, with small rooms, classical furniture and separate taps for hot and cold water. 

... Like: Maintaining national identity is a good thing, and the Brits should pay extra attention, with all the cosmopolitan arrivals in their country, which they are constantly exposed to. I'm not asking them to be discriminating, but at least keep what makes them different. Even measurement units, clothes sizes and driving on the left side. 

                                                       

... Tricky: food. I say tricky because what is tasty is fattening: traditional cakes and desserts, pies, Cadbury chocolate, baked potatoes with various fillings, lots of rich sauces etc. Lots of international restaurants and take-aways. Food in canteens and even some pubs and caffetterias is not good, especially the so-called healthy dishes, therefore you turn to the tasty-yet-fattening stuff. Therefore, when I came back to Romania, I came with an unexpected baggage of 11 extra kilos, which I quickly got rid of once I was back home, getting back to my initial weight, and never saw those kilos again. :D My tip would be to try to eat at home as often as you can, but not heat-and-serve microwavable food, because that is high in calories too. Try preparing things by yourself instead. Also try to limit "pub food", fish and chips, or pastries. A little bit of moderation goes a long way. ;)  

... Dislike: Bureaucracy. The Brits don't generally have ID cards, using mainly passports, student cards and driving licenses for identification, and to demonstrate at the pub that they're over 18. :) However, for every registration somewhere, they require lots of irrelevant information. Plus, keep in mind that when I was living there, Romania was not part of the EU yet. And therefore, I had to suffer extra because of even more regulations and restrictions, not to mention higher university fees. We didn't have problems getting or extending the visa, but what came afterwards, as residents, often made me feel like being controlled, starting with a series of dumb questions at the airport passport control point. I also believe there is work discrimination, masked as "equal opportunities monitoring", and many British friends agree with me. When applying for a job, you have a section in the form, which asks about your nationality, race, religion, and even sexual orientation. I mean, really? I understand nationality, in order to figure out if you need a work permit or not, but the others... why should they care?? Does it have anything to do with professional skills? Ehm... no! I'd rather call it "reasons to discriminate form". 'Nuff said! :P 

... Big like: this one is for us, ladies, as a dessert, 'cause I'm sending you shopping. You know that no matter what country I'm in, I'm in favour of purchasing local brands. For clothes and shoes, I would advise you to go for New Look, Miss Selfridge, Oasis and Topshop. For cosmetics, The Body Shop and Boots are a must. Plus, there is a very nice shopping center in Kingston, on the outskirts of London. Try it, and salute the place on my behalf! ;) 

         So, that's the long and short of it, and I believe I've been exhaustive. As you see, it was an experience full of good and bad, like in every country, but an experience from which I really learned a lot. And looking in retrospective, it didn't do me any unrepairable damage. Do I miss England? Some things yes, others definitely not. I miss most of the friends I met there, and if they read this, I'm sending them a hug. Would I return to live there? I have no idea. I wouldn't mind taking a longer trip through various cities, just to refresh my memory on places, people and activities. I still find myself culturally different, but perhaps nowadays I'd be more prepared on what to expect, or I would look at things with a different perspective, that of a 30 year' old. As far as work is concerned, although in theory there is an abundance of opportunities, I'm afraid all work-related obstacles would be the same. But, who knows... ?

The Autumn-Winter Collection: 7 Cities to Visit in This Part of the Year (Part 2)

        Our quick glance through cities which would make cool trip destinations in autumn and winter continues. In Part 1 we had Brugges, Budapest and Madrid. And today we add other four gems in our collection.

Prague, Czech Republic

When I visited Prague, it was the second part of November, when the Czech people were commemorating the Velvet Revolution of 1989. The weather was very cold and cloudy, which may have given the city a gloomy atmosphere. In fact, it made the atmosphere quite stern, but it certainly did not conceal Prague's beauty. The Vltava river with its bridges, the Old Town (Stare Mesto), Charles's Bridge (Karluv Most), and the Prague Castle with St. Vitus Cathedral, all have a charm of their own, a mix of magic and sobriety, which is hard to encounter in other cities. A very clean and civilized city, with a very organized public transport system. Don't forget to taste the national Prague ham (sunka), and, for beer lovers, there is the national brand Staropramen. 

Riga, Latvia

          In this moment I realize that I hardly had any reason to complain about the weather in Prague in November, but what should I tell you about Riga in February? - 20 degrees maximum, but definitely worth it. Despite Latvia being a former Soviet Union country, you must know that the Baltic states have a culture and an atmosphere of their own, in my opinion also influenced by the Finnish proximity. In winter, the most spectacular view is the frozen Baltic Sea, which you can even take a walk upon. Plus, do not forget to buy souvenirs made of amber, which are part of the country's tradition. 

               

  
Sibiu, Romania    

          As the big patriot that I am, you can imagine that I could not skip a Romanian city. And I chose the Transylvanian city of Sibiu. With a medieval atmosphere, combined with an artistic identity, Sibiu is also at a crossroads between Romanian and German cultures. The city's Central Square (Piata Mare) with the Town Hall Tower (Turnul Sfatului), the elegant Bruckenthal Museum or the Rustic Astra Museum give the feeling of being in another era. Plus, watch out what you say when you're on Liars' Bridge (Podul Minciunilor). ;) Restaurants, caffes, bookshops and even some hotels have their own themes and are decorated in special ways. After all, it was the first European Capital of Culture in Romania, in 2007, and we take pride in it. 

                                     

 Vienna, Austria

           Last but definitely not least, with the notes of the "Blue Danube" by Johann Strauss or, for the most modern of us, Falco's "Vienna Calling"... here we are. History, architecture, very clean streets and disciplined traffic, memories of the love story between Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Sissi, Vienna is definitely one of the most romantic winter destinations.  And it's even better if you get there between Christmas, in order to see the Christmas markets (which, unfortunately, I didn't). What can you visit? Hofburg Palace, Stephansplatz and Stephansdom, and the spectacular Schonbrunn Palace. Besides, there is also a variety of activities that you can enjoy: enjoying a musical evening at the State Opera, carriage rides, waltz lessons, liquor tasting at the Schnapps Museum, or skating in front of the Town Hall. Besides, I must warn you that Vienna is the home to the some of the most exquisite cakes and chocolates I have ever eaten. 

                         

       You cannot imagine how much I enjoyed writing these two posts, as well as flicking through my photo albums. If in the following months we have the chance to travel for real, or just with our minds, we may not know yet. But let's remember that there is beauty everywhere, and in all seasons! :)

The Autumn-Winter Collection: 7 Cities to Visit in this Part of the Year (Part 1)

         The calendar is telling us that autumn has arrived, although, I don't know about yourselves, but in Romania we are still happily baking at over 35 degrees. Still, we must prepare for the colder part of the year... with the autumn-winter collection of the finest travelers. Or at least, European travelers. ;) These are my personal favourites: cities I have visited in autumn or winter, and which I found particularly appealing in these seasons. They may not be warm, in order for us to escape the cold, but everything is about colours, atmosphere, architecture, history and even cuisine. And hey... in the end, wrapping up in warm clothes is not such a big deal! I arranged these cities alphabetically, because I really could not decide on a favourites' order. The descriptions are quite brief, and do not contain too many details of places to visit, but just a few words 

Brugges, Belgium 

       Perhaps less imposing than cosmopolitan Brussels, or perhaps not a mainstream destination, Brugges is like a small, fairytale side of Belgium, in the Flemish part of the country. Medieval houses, Gothic churches, and water canals crossing the town, Brugges is all about atmosphere. Moreover, the city center is also recognized as UNESCO World Heritage. The atmosphere of times past is completed by shops full of wooden toys, porcelain dolls and traditional handicrafts. Not to mention chocolate - the finest Belgian chocolate, meant to make our stay even sweeter.

Budapest, Hungary

         Moving towards central Europe, Budapest looks amazing in autumn colours, especially if the weather is still good. Situated on the Danube river, with its spectacular and diverse bridges, which automatically embellish the city, Budapest is a mix of monumental architecture and artistic lifestyle. Its markets are pitoresque and vibrant, with colourful embrodieries, traditional costumes, and flower motifs painted on wood. Not to mention that Hungarian cuisine is very tasty. My visit there was brief, but it's surely a city I would like to explore further. 

Madrid, Spain

       Although many of us would prefer Spain for summer holidays, I would suggest to go for seaside places in summer, and focus on the Spanish capital in autumn. Large boulevards animated by numerous people - locals and tourists, extremely friendly Madrilenos, specific Spanish architecture with some Arabic influences, the lively Gran Via and Plaza Mayor, Plaza Cibeles with the City Council, the Museo Nacional del Prado - all these must not be missed. Not to mention that you will be on a continuous diet of tapas and jamon. Ole! :)

           We will be back in Part 2 with 4 more cities. What will they be? :)

Should You Study Romanian?

                                                                                      

         Today in Romania, and in Romanian communities abroad, we celebrate Romanian Language Day. Inevitably, I thought about my international friends who are curious or passionate about Romania and its culture, and who are planning to learn the language, and even muster up a few words and sentences. 

          Am I encouraging you to study Romanian? If so, what are the best things to keep in mind? 

... Romanian is, as most of you already know, the only language of Latin provenience in Eastern Europe. However, we also have some Slavic influences - around 20%, if I'm not mistaken, plus some bits from Turkish, Greek or Hungarian. 

... Studying Romanian will be easier for you if your native language is Italian, French, Spanish or Portuguese, or if you are at least fluent in any of these languages. Similarities may not be always guaranteed, but, compared to other language families, they are definitely more numerous.

... Romanian may be, however, closer to French and Italian rather than the other Romance languages. Plus, it is said that it brings quite a close resemblance to Catalan and Sardinian. 

...  Is it useful? It is spoken as a native language in Romania and Moldova, which could amount to 25 million speakers, more or less. But don't forget that we are everywhere, especially in Europe, and most surely all European nationals have at least one Romanian friend or aquaintance. So, why not impress them with your language skills? ;) Or perhaps you are a professional planning to work in Romania for a while, or to start up a business. In which case, studying the language will prove itself useful.

... Is it difficult? Maybe not, or not more than other language. Pronounciation is quite easy, as most words are pronounced like they are spelled, without any "strange" rules or groups of letters. We do have about 4 letters which are a bit "peculiar", but other than that, I don't see much trouble. 

... If you live in a capital city, or at least a bigger city, check if you find a representation of Institutul Cultural Roman, or other Romanian institutions, which may organize courses, or even have a library. 

... And, last but not least, keep in mind that although we are all tempted to start learning a language with swearwords and naughty stuff, all natives are more impressed when you come up with "serious" things to say. ;)

    Perhaps I will try, in time, to teach you some tips and tricks. In the meantime, I bid you... LA REVEDERE ("farewell") and I wish you TOATE CELE BUNE ("all the good things"). 

         

Immigrants Alert in Europe: to Panic or Not to Panic?

      

   Lately this has been one of the major topics on the news. Masses of immigrants coming mostly from Northern African countries and the Middle East are increasingly flowing towards Southern, Central and Eastern Europe by sea. I'm not only talking about Italy, which has been confronting itself with this problem for many years now, but lately Greece has also been a country of destination, not to mention that EU countries with lower-level immigration rates (at least from those parts of the world) such as Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic and Slovakia may be expected to open their borders towards them. 

         Should we panic or should we not? Do you see it as a danger, or as an unavoidable aspect of globalization and a consequence of violent events in those parts of the world? Let's keep in mind that many of those people are indeed escaping dangerous situations in their countries, and nobody would cross the sea in such risky conditions for pleasure. 

           On the other hand, what happens after they get to European countries? Are they all good, or are some of them aiming to do wrong in their new host country? Is there a way to keep things under control, to everyone's advantage? Will they be able to integrate themselves in society? Will they be able to work and make a living, or will the hosting state support them?

             Too many questions, no clear answers. What would you do if you were in charge of the situation in your own country? As far as I'm concerned, I don't have a fast answer. It is a complex issue and it must be well thought of, from all points of view. But I'm very curious how it will turn out. 

(photo: The Telegraph)

Language Learning: the Best Methods

       

    This post is for those of you who are passionate about languages, and are studying or have studied either for a professional career, in order to emigrate, or simply for the sake of a challenge. Now, all, or most of us studied two foreign languages in school, but that may or may not have been enough in order to become proficient. Therefore, today we'll be talking about what might happen from high-school graduation onwards. From the start, and for those of you wondering, I am not a languages graduate, but I was lucky to grow up speaking two languages (Romanian and Italian), and also to start learning English since primary school, through lessons at home (very common practice in Romania) with a super teacher. Therefore, I developed some sort of ability and passion for languages.  
             

             

           What is the best way to learn a language? Some of you choose the official pathway, which is also the most thorough, that of university studies. The obvious advantage is that you have a few years' time to go deeper into the subject, learn not only grammar, but also literature, culture and civilization, and eventually undergo a student exchange programme in the country where your studied language is spoken. The latter is one of the best parts, because you will experience the way the language is really spoken in everyday life, beyond scholastic approaches. However, this may not be suitable for you if your dream career is something different, which has nothing to do with teaching, or translation, or working for cultural institutions. Therefore, if you want to learn a language whilst pursuing another career, the points below may be just your cup of (English? Chinese? Japanese? Indian?) tea. ;) 

          So, you are a student or professional of a different field, but you want to learn a new language, or to improve one that you already speak. What about short courses, lasting a couple of months in length per module, organized by the cultural institutes of the chosen country, such as British Council, Goethe Institut, Institut Français, etc., or even by the Faculty of Languages of some universities. The only warning is that the former may be higher in price. Yes, the course is worth it, but, unfortunately, you may or may not be able to afford them. The only problem is that, most likely, you will study grammar and vocabulary, in a scholastic way, so, if you want to go deeper into other areas, you'll have to do that through auto-didactic activities. Which leads us to...
         Self-taught methods. There are plenty of self-learning language books, and some of them also have a CD for you to listen to pronnounciation. Most surely, there are two huge advantages: you spend far less money, and you manage your own study time by yourself. However, this only works for you if you are an organized person by nature, and if you make sure to study and do your "homework" on a regular basis. Moreover, I would advise you to go for a self-taught course if the language you are studying is not much different from your native one. For example, a Romanian would be better off learning Italian, French or Spanish by himself, rather than Japanese or Arabic. 
      Note that the latter two methods require other additional practices, in order to cover what is not done in the course itself, that is if we want to make the most of it. And, why not, these practices would also benefit language university students and graduates.
   .... read. And start with simple things, such as children's literature, moving on to articles on various topics, and contemporary literature. Leave classical literature of the Middle Ages and other such malarkey towards the end. Trust me: I bought myself Dante's "Divina Commedia" in original. I've been struggling with it. Big time. Nobody talks like that anymore!
    .... watch movies in original. One of the things I appreciate about my country is that we don't dub movies and TV series (we only do cartoons). So, Romanians are used to watching films in their original languages, with subtitles in Romanian. This helps us a lot even when we're at school, with our English and French homework. ;) And yes, cheesy as it may sound, we learn Spanish from Latin-American telenovelas. But beware of the latter: there are differences from the language spoken in Spain, and the vocabulary you'll develop will serve you more when it comes to moaning about your love life and family drama, rather than basic conversations about everyday matters. :)
    .... talk to natives. Maybe not always possible, but when you can, make the most of it. Choose a patient friend or aquaintance, and ask him or her to be strict and correct your mistakes. That way, you'll learn the spoken language, colloquial expressions, slang, language tricks, and much more.
        Hoping to have been exhaustive, we'll return at a later date with more specific language tips, and learning adventures. Till then, I'm going to my self-taught, and pretty painful, German course! ;)