How I did it: I'm a Romanian citizen, so I didn't need a visa. If you're a citizen of one of the European Union countries, you won't need a visa either. Otherwise, for information about Romanian visas, check http://www.mae.ro/index.php?lang=en&unde=doc&id=7201

Lessons & tips: Romania was less shocking than I expected, but not because anything
got better; rather because I had had the culture shock already when I had returned from Belgium 4 years ago. But for a first-time visitor, the shock is there,
starting with the passport check officer, who is completely silent even
when you say "Good evening officer, here you go" while you hand over
the passport, and "Thank you" when it is thrown back on the counter at
you.

The rest was there too, outside the airport: the 35C atmosphere, the
crowded public transportation, the cashiers who never smile, the
dubiously looking fellows all over the place, the motley buildings, and
the motley apartments in uniform communist-era apartment buildings, some
with air conditioning units, some without, but all with balconies
sporting visible clothes lines, rugs thrown over the balcony railing,
various antennae, and whatnot items, some less identifiable than others.

But the most disturbing thing was different - hearing Romanian spoken
around me. It's just odd: I speak and hear Romanian directed to me when
talking to friends, but the only times I've heard it spoken around me,
when I was a mere passer-by, were rare - at museum where a Romanian
couple or group of friends happened to comment on something. That was
odd in itself - a similar kind of automatic ear-perking reaction that
one has when they hear their name uttered. But multiply that time a
crowd of people around you uttering your name, and imagine you haven't
heard your name uttered in 4 years. That's what it felt like.

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Apr 26, 2010, 11:45PM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer