The New Democracy

Today in Suceava, Romania the election of officials from the Liberal Democratic Party is underway. Thousands gathered in the town square for a mass celebration. As with politicians everywhere- the candidates were kissing babies, hugging children and assuring voters that change is evident. Music blared from the stage and the young cheered with excitement. This [...]

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Romanian Recession

I boiled my guitar strings today in an effort to be more European and less American with no sense of conservation. But it’s amazing what people will do when they have very little. They save everything and put it to good use. This is true of Romanians. Nothing gets by without three or more changes [...]

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What Do Americans Believe about Romanians?

I had a comment asking what we normally think about Romanians. The truth was dismal but I will try and list it here: 1) Romania, Romania, Where exactly is Romania? 2) It is a land of orphans, gypsies and Dracula. 3) Gypsies are romantic mysterious people according to our media. 4) No one cares about [...]

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The Wolves of Marginea

I tell myself there’s nothing strange about this ancient forest in Romania. Giant trees stretch across the horizon past the few houses, the horse graveyard and frozen streams. It is silent and forbidding. For centuries wolves have roamed the area, but still people close their doors and sleep like babies- at least until they wake [...]

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