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The Real RomaniaRomania is a funny country. The real Romania is actually really hard to find. What is life like in Bucharest? I started off by living in Bucharest, without friends or knowing any Romanian. As you can imagine, this was one of the toughest times in my life. During those first two months, I lost my wallet about 4 times - it was stolen in restarants, in a MacDonalds, in a taxi and once it just fell out of my pocket. As you can imagine, I was looking forward to leaving Romania again. Then something magical happened... I met a wonderful Romanian woman, my future wife, Irina, and she made it her mission that I should see Romania through the eyes of a real Romanian. My first mountain trip... The very first weekend we met, she was off with her class for a weekend in the mountains, and would I be free to join her? I jumped at the chance, and met all her class, her friends and her mother, all in the first weekend. Everyone thought it was very funny to have a rather tall, very lost, English man wandering about with them. There were very strict laws put down as to my behaviour, which of course suited me, as I had no idea as to what was expected of me! As I had a Romanian girlfriend, all sorts of other Romanian doors started to open. I could go to parties with Real Romanians, not the Romanians who hang out only with foreigners (and have a second agenda) When I got engaged, then the relationship was considered even more serious (as you can imagine), and even more doors were opened to me. My second passion for Romania started... I was introduced to my second love - which helps make life in Romania so very special - I was introduced to the real Romania. I don't mean Predeal or Sinaia, where the rich hang out in over-powered cars, which slip and slide in the snow. I mean the home of poor peasants. I was made part of the family, and so I was shown a real Romania, the Romania which is hidden in every Romanian country court yard, and completely inaccessible to the typical tourist. This is why I decided that it was time someone made a website all about the Real Romania. It is a small gesture to the country which was so warmly welcomed me and made me the man I am today. I have read terrible stories of life in Romania? Is it true? To all of you who have read the negative books about Romania - these stories are true - but are rare. I have lived through most of them - and all of them happen in the worse parts of Bucharest - and not out in the Romanian countryside. Are you now a peasant? I am still a very English sort of peasant. My dog has an English name, Spot, and it has a lead. Ironically, this is not in its interests as everyone is convinced my dog is so dangerous that it needs a lead! There are still lots of things I am not allowed to do - such as repaint my fence - as we have workers to do that - it is not to be done by the Englishman! (I would probably only get sun stroke anyway!). HOw have you improved life in the village? I also still look for a technological solution to every problem - and often I have found that the locals worked out a better solution already. My greatest contribution to my village was the introduction of a solar shower - even in a Romanian village without running water, an Englishman still needs at least some comforts of home! Also if you check out the local village gardens - most will have a solar lamp and a shiny windmill somewhere - 2 silly discoveries I made in local markets. Rate this page. Comment on this page
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