I’ve been thinking and after writing a lot of things about Romania and Romanians, I’ve decided to make an „off the record list” about the nice things from here. It’s unofficial because it’s made by me and it’s really subjective (notice the sincerity). Don’t believe that suddenly  I’ve become really nostalgic and romantic, but I’ve realized that these things have become a part of my DNA, a fiber , a vibration, a synapse which will bound me forever with Romania.

The „pufuleti, pufarini „ and „Eugenia”-three products that could easily appear on the Romanian flag. I’ve started with them because I know that this is a point that everyone will approve. These are the sweets that we’ve grown older. Are the sweets which confronted time and which we hope will survive as a testimony for our grand-grand-grandsons, in a museum at least.

„Dor” (=to miss something/someone, but as a noun)-I don’t know for sure the origin of the word, but one thing I know: it doesn’t have a match in another language. When you translate this word you have to use another two or three words to describe it. „Dor” brings „doina” also. „Doina” is a traditional sad song, which could have some connection with the word „dor”. „Doina” is another thing from my list.

Bread does not equal sweet bread. For those who haven’t travelled outside the country, you know exactly what I mean. For those who don’t understand what I want to say let me explain you: the bread abroad is sweet, looks like a sponge and it tastes like a mattress. I thought I would go crazy searching three weeks in Germany, Italy and France bread that had a decent taste. Finally I gave up and ate toast (the sweet taste wasn’t so obviously).

Cheese in animal skin, in pine crust and smoked cheese. Usually it is sold on the borders of the roads in the area of Brasov. They are good, they’re Romanian and there’s no other place to find them. Shame on you if you still haven’t tasted them. You should’ve, we live in Romania.

I love Romania despite the fact that Mircea Badea always tries to remember us that living here occupies all our time. For celebrity   he has a big pleasure   kicking and splattering with mud in everything. What country does not occupy all of our time? Do we think the neighbors’ grass is greener than ours? If Mircea Badea does not like our hay, he should go pasturing on other territories. Where the grass tastes like glue. I like here even though there are a lot of strange things going on. The reasons I’ve told you about are few but I hope I’ve made a wakeup call. I’m sure you’ll find some other too. But for me the most important fact why I love this country is: nowhere the bread is better than home. As a Romanian saying that equals: home sweet home.