Bucharest Life

After all the Easter celebrations were over and things went back to normal, B and I also returned to our regular routines. B went back to his research and began working at a new research venue, The Municipal Archives, which has had its own set of frustrations. Apparently, the staff at these archives have brought new meaning to the term bureaucracy. So, it has been slow going jumping through all of the hoops just to be able to actually start looking at documents and doing some research, but things look like they may be on their way now.

Speaking of bureaucracy, after nearly 6 months in Bucharest and with only 3 to go, B and I were finally able to pick up our residency permits and we are now officially legit. This final step was by far the easiest part of the process.

On Friday our landlord finally got a plumber to come check out the issues we've been experiencing. While the plumber was here, our landlord asked that we not be present: she was afraid that if the plumber knew that Americans lived in the apartment, they might charge her more. So we went to a pan-Asian cafe near our apartment for a late lunch, and then headed over to Starbucks where we relaxed and read for a bit. Everything seems to be working fine now, so hopefully the plumber won't need to make a return visit. We celebrated by baking some delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies!

We have also enjoyed spending some time with Fulbright friends and even meeting some new folks. In fact, one new contact told us about a special exhibit that was at the History Museum for a short time. The exhibit was on loan from a Roma rights organization in Germany and was an exhibit specifically about the persecution and experiences of Roma during the Holocaust and the denial of their suffering for many years thereafter. The exhibit was quite well done and we were lucky to catch it just days before it left. B was especially glad to have a chance to see it. Sadly, the portion of the exhibit on Romania was the least informative. Perhaps not coincidentally, most of the other people looking at the exhibit were non-Romanians (in fact, they were almost all Germans).

After the exhibit, we decided to grab a quick bite to eat and try the Pizza Hut, which was close by. B had been there once on a previous trip, but I had not. Unlike the Pizza Huts at home, the ones here are more upscale and offer several types of pasta, salads, appetizers, and desserts in addition to pizza. I opted for some pasta and B got a personal sized pizza. I think he made the better choice. While the experience was good overall, we left smelling VERY smokey since even though they have separate rooms for smoking and non-smoking patrons, they left the door between the sections wide open and we had the misfortune of being seated very near the door. Ah, Romania!

So far this week nothing much of note has happened; S met one of our Fulbright friends for some much-needed girl time, and B spent a few hours talking shop last night with some friends and fellow scholars. We do have some good news: B received a research award from his dept., and will get to teach his own class next spring semester! So, upwards and onwards!

-S