Comparing Romania and Hungary in the friendly way

A few decades ago no one, but absolutely no one, could dream to dare comparing Romania and Hungary. It was such a silly emnity and rancour between these two countries, forced by the Geography and History to stay together, one next to the other.

Romanians and Hungarians love wine and enjoy life

I am sure than we have much more in common than one could think. The personal relations are really excellent, I am honored to have among my friends a few Hungarians, and I even managed to learn a few words. Koeszonem szepek to all normal friendly relaxed Hungarians, which are not necessary the enemmies of Romania. The only problem are the silly crazy politicians, like Jobbik, Gaudi, Vadim Tudor. With a normal relation between Romania and Hungaria they must perish for sure, they won't accept it easy! Despite the extremists of the both sides, I must say: I like Hungaria, I love the Hungarians and I am very fond of the Szeklerland! Without forgetting that I am first of all Romanian.

Oradea/Nagyvarad/Grosswardein  is a nice Romanian city, with stong traces of the Hungarian culture

There might be extremists on the both sides due to historic facts, myths and legends etc. But don't let the History separate you, allow it only bring you nearer. We have an unique chance, we are both European countries and there is a generous model between France and Germany.

Is this Bucharest or Budapest? Be very careful when doing a plane reservation!

Besides, Bucharest and Budapest are closer than one might think, similar in some directions and anyone can take one for another. 400 fans of a Spanish football team landed in Budapest, while the match was held in Bucharest. Funny, but true; unbelievable, there are people on both sides who feel insulted by this interesting error. Other, much crazier, guess a conspiracy behind.

But this the lovely Budapest, no doubt

The people are not so different after all. Romanians and Hungarians love wine and enjoy life. They like to sing and dance, they like to have a good meals, but are also hard working. There are many happy mixed marriages, most of the people from Transilvania feel to be simultaneously Romanians and Hungarians, sharing simply similar traditions of a fantastic richness. It is definitely time to stop fighting or hating just because speaking other language. Make love, not war.

I have got a warm Jo napot for all the Hungarians I know, or I still don't know, and please help me to learn other words and phrases.

A small event, a big tragedy in Romania and the future of television

A small event, a big tragedy in Romania and the future of television

I was travelling by train from Pascani to Focsani on Monday, 17th of June. It was a nice, quiet, slow travel (the trains drive in Romania slower than 100 years ago!) and suddenly I heard a noise, I noticed a cloud of dust and saw a car wheel flying.

Searching for the deaths: fortunately, it was only one

It was for sure only a small event and a minor incident for the train, it didn't suffer any major damages. But for the crashed car turned to be a big tragedy: one man died and the car is totally destroyed. Don't give a dam for the car, but I do feel sorry and compassion for the dead. He was still young, about 35, and had no chance to survive. Most probably, his fault, but it doesn't make the things easier for his family and friends. If you are tough enough, watch the snapshots!

The TV team got everybody nervous, and no one accepted to speak with them!

All the responsible institutions came enough quickly, one by one: ambulance (totally useless, unfortunately); firemen; police; state attorney. They have been waited, and the people showed respect, love and cooperation toward them. Meanwhile, the train conductors (two or three) started to story their rich criminal records: one was at the third victim (one of them simply committed suicide by simply putting the head on the steel rail. Another one killed 17 sheeps, and the last two cows. Right or unright, no one showed mercy or regrets.

Unfortunately, this poor man payed with his life his moment of  mind absence

The TV made also a flamboyant apparition, but no one seems to be happy of it. Maybe because the Romanian televisions are very bad, and not beloved at all, or maybe because this team of journalists simply asked the worst questions, irritating everybody.

So, please be very careful in Romania or everywhere else while crossing a railways. And don't bet on the future of TV in Romania or elsewhere.

Romania and Bulgaria in the same trip

There are many things in common between Romania and Bulgaria, but also a few differences. There are many mutual influences, making both sides richer from this culture clash.

We are neighbors after all,  even good neighbors. Due to the common history, and troubles, there are Bulgarians living in Romania ( all of them are perfect gardeners, have big nose and large neck!) and also Romanians living in Bulgaria (I don't know what say the Bulgarians about us, but I would like to find out). Even the European Union treats us exactly in the same way, we are on the black list, among the poorest countries of the Union.

Enthusiasthic German Tourists in the Village museum from Bucharest

There are major differences of culture, the Romanian language is a Latin one, using the Latin Alphabet, while the Bulgarian is Slavic and they use the Cyrillic Alphabet (nevertheless, we are both Orthodox, and the church rituals are very similar!). We have had both for more than 40 years a communist dictatorship, our leaders Ceausescu and Zhivkov were close friends.We killed Ceausescu, the Bulgarians emprisonned Zhivkov, but released him (apparently no one goes in prison on Bulgaria).

An excellent marine restaurant in Dalboka, Bulgaria, near a marine farm. Simply impossible to find something similar in Romania

In the both countries there are a city named Targoviste, and a village called Arbanassi!

In the communist times, was practically impossible to visit both countries during the same vacation. Even today it is not so easy, very few travel agencies can do this! Karpaten is one of them, and I ruled a trip organized by this agency in Romania and Bulgaria. I am still trying to remain unbiased, and must accept: Bulgaria is also a nice country, with spectacular landscapes. The people are also normal and friendly, just like the Romanians. As a plus for my beloved Romania: the streets are a little better!

A good Romanian Folcloric show in Restaurant Pescarus/Bucharest

Impossible to understand in Bulgaria:totally different to any civilized country, the guests are supposed to pay for the Internet. And the Bulgarians are not flexible enough to hear and follow any advices. An exception is the excellent hotel Kalina Palace from Trijavna, and the fantastic administrator Lena Ivanova.

Also important and very good to know: the money exchange is not all right in a few places in Bulgaria (on the beaches of Goldstrand e.g.). Maybe  the appropriate legislation simply lucks, but the results are very bad for the image of Bulgaria worldwide.

Will try to complete my comparison, but now I am waiting for your positions and opinions.

There are not many agencies offering during the same trip Romania and Bulgaria, and I am able to recommend you the best, must simply contact me or Karpaten/ A Vista.