Then Steffen Heringhaus has a surprise for you. He has been living in Romania for the past six months, learning about Romanian culture, and putting together a wonderful website called Romania Central, which leans economic. Apart from the website, Heringhaus has been drawing his own conclusions about Romania and Romanians at his blog; some are less flattering than others. Heringhaus observes:
Uh-oh. Heringhaus does not seem to buy the "unique miracle" school of Romanian history.
"The story goes somehow like this: Some 2000 years ago there were living the Dacians in these regions, strong and proud people, though occupied by the Romans, which conquered Dacia Felix for being beautiful and rich of mineral resources (Gold!). After great and glorious battles the Dacians got romanized, mixed with the large bulk of Italians (actually, still Romans then) which flooded Dacia Felix (Lucky Dacia - the ancient Roman name for the province) in a big rush to gain a better life, and finally: the outcome were the Romanians: The first and single Christian born nation on earth and in history – which resisted the next 2000 years as an island in a oceans of Slavic nations, keeping their very Roman identity and culture and still full of Dacian virtues.
On the other hand, one could be confused by the fact that history does not know anything about Romania and Romanians until the early 12th century and that the Romanian states which emerged during the 13th and 14th century used the Slavic alphabet (until a reform in the 19th century). The Romanians themselves are less confused about that issue and celebrated in 1984 »2000 years of statehood«."
Alas, the sarcasm is deafening-- though I would certainly understand Heringhaus' historical skepticism if he hails from Germany, since German history is quite shameful and unforgettable. On the other hand, Heringhaus does seem to find a few bright specks to life in Romania:
However, you should know; it is not that bad here. We are not using horse-chariots, but cars (though the streets often suck) in daily life and I did not even know when I have seen the last time such a thing (but on pictures). Smoke signals are by no means a popular measure of communication, but cell phones are cool and a must have. My internet connections here (WAP, UMTS and Cable) are even better than I was used from in Germany.
And to answer the question how I came here: By plane. Romania has plenty of airports and even nice ones. Currently, I work for a domestic online agency here, I really like that shit and enjoy learning some things about the country (or state of emergency) my grandma came from.
Good to know. I should note that Germans always seem to have a harder time in Romania than, say, Italians. Must be the weather.
