Blog of Romania

Before I moved to Bucharest, when I was in my first year of college, I had only visited the city for a few days or I’d simply passed through. I knew nothing about Bucharest, I didn’t know the streets or how to use a subway card and I had no idea that it could get so crowded and exhausting sometimes.

But I fell in love with it since day one. And day one was rainy and muddy as hell. Day two made me love it even more, even though this day was incredibly sunny and hot and everybody picked on me for not making enough room in the busy buses for those who wanted to get off. How was I supposed to know how things work around here?

I looked at this city with an open heart, if I may put it this way. I never listened to those who continuously said that it’s an ugly place to live in, that it’s crowded and filthy. That’s not what I saw. I noticed and felt its noise and vibration; I could see the details on old buildings and enjoy the human diversity. I got used to its oddities and contradictions, I was caught in its rhythm and I never let any traffic jams, holes in the ground or ugly and frowning faces spoil my mood or change any opinions I had about this place.

I can’t give myself any explanation on why some people here can’t see beyond the crowded streets. I have no idea why some are so up tight and don’t take a look around. Indeed, there are days and days when you can only see the dirt or go to places that bring nothing special, but irritation and annoyance, but even New York has its rats and beggars, while Paris has its stinky streets.

And I must mention those (students, especially) who spend only 3 or 4 days a week in Bucharest, then run off back home, in the nearby towns. They should keep their mouths shut when it comes to this city, because during those 3 days spent here, when they only travel the route school - auntie’s place/rented place/dorm, the time to visit a park, to take a walk or go to a theatre is nonexistent. They only see traffic and tired people, but Bucharest means much more than that.

I also disagree to those who have been living here for some time, but keep on cursing the place or the authorities or everybody around them, for that matter. There are so many quiet towns in this country, why should you occupy my green square meter if you’re incapable of appreciating it? Oh, excuse me. Bucharest is the Capital, endless possibilities exist, you work here and you wouldn’t have a job somewhere else. In this case, my friend, lower your voice while cursing and accept your choices, with everything that they imply.

I’m saying that Bucharest is for the strong, because not everyone can take a walk at the end of a long day, to see something besides the subway-train’s ceiling. Not all of us can notice what’s around and smile more outside the house or away from the TV. Sometimes one can simply ignore the ugly things, because it’s good for the spirit and the general state of being. I, for one, have too little brain cells for me to waste them away on cursing around or complaining about everything that’s going wrong in Bucharest.

Let’s not forget that, no matter what, it’s the man that lights up the place. Maybe this is the reason why Bucharest is extraordinary at night, when the streets are almost empty. Has anybody noticed that? Some of you didn’t even look.