Little bit of history

The territory of Romania that we all know today was occupied in the year 200 before Christ by a tribe called “the Dacians” that belonged to the big Thracian family. Under the rule of Burebista (82 – 44 b. Cr.), the first centralized state of the Dacians was formed. It was called Dacia. After the death of Burebista, who was killed by one of his servants, the state was divided, but it was reunited by the year 87 under the rule of Decebal. During Decebal’s rule, Dacia went through two wars with the Romans, and its territory was conquest by emperor Traian in 106. Years later, because of the successive invasions of the German tribes, the Roman administration had retired from Dacia. Many other barbarian invasions followed.

In the 13th Century some little pre-state formations were created, and anticipated the birth of the Principals of Moldova, Tara Romaneasca and Transylvania. These three Principals had many battles with the Ottoman Empire. In an attempt to protect these Principals, and to create a strong state that clouds withstand the ottoman fury, ruler Mihai Viteazul united the three Principals into one state by the year 1600. This union was undone a year later, after Mihai Viteazul was killed by general Basta. At the end of the 17th Century, Hungary and Transylvania become part of the Hapsburg Empire, after they defeated the Turks. In 1718 an important part of Tara Romaneasca called Oltenia was incorporated in the Austrian Empire. A few years later the Austrian Empire also occupied the north-east of Moldova, called Bucovina, while Basarabia was occupied by Russia in 1812.

 

Student “traditional” food

The ”traditional” student dishes in Romania are : (not necessary in this order) burgers (all kinds), shaorma (which is actually turkish), boiled and fried eggs, and french fries. Of course this is not the primary ranking, you can eat these without combining them. The evaluation and appreciation is subjective and it depends on your creativity in mixing these elements and making a delicious meal.
Not to forget that the meat can be replaced with soy, it has almost the same taste and flavour, in plus is more healthy and less expensive (in some periods of the year).

If you live in a student campus you will always find an eating hall where you can eat at a low price traditional romanian foods and if you are out of time you can always visit McDonald’s, the shaormeries which are opened 24 hours a day.
In Bucharest the most convenient price quality eating halls for students are : Moxa situated in Moxa, str, nr 11, here is not the best food but with 5-6 lei (1,4 €) you can eat a whole menu. The next eating hall is on Rosetti square wich is opened 24 hours and last but not least is R4, situated in the Regie Campus, there with 10 lei you can eat two types of meals: first and second.

Enjoy romanian student food!!!
For more details about Bucharest restaurants, lounges, bars and other fun places visit
www.bucharest-map.com
www.bucharest-guide.ro
www.afterhours.ro

 

Sarmale

The most famous traditional food in Romania is Stuffed cabbage Rolls, or Sarmale as Romanians call it. You can find it in almost any restaurant, it’s not expensive and you can choose between a large variety of types of cabbage by different geographical areas:
Here is the most common culinary recipe of stuffed cabbage rolls :

large head cabbage
1 pound ground chuck
1/3 cup rice, raw, can use instant or regular
1 small onion, grated
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large onion, sliced
1 large can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
3 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
3 to 4 teaspoons lemon juice (1 large lemon)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

If you intend to feel a little bit more of the Romanian life style you can prepare it yourself and this is how real Romanians do it: 🙂
Remove about 50 large leaves from the cabbage; cut off very thick part of each leaf. Pour boiling water over the cabbage to wilt the leaves.
Combine ground chuck with the rice, grated onion, eggs, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place a mound of meat mixture in cupped part of each softened cabbage leaf. Fold over sides of cabbage leaf; roll up. In bottom of Dutch oven, place a few of the remaining leaves. Arrange layers of cabbage rolls, seam side down, and sliced onions in a Dutch oven or large casserole. Pour on tomato sauce, tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil on stove top. Bake, covered, for 1 hour. Uncover and bake 2 hours longer.

For more details visit
www.reteteculinare.ro/sarmale
www.gustos.ro/sarmale
www.sarmalederomania.wordpress.com

 

Dos and don’ts

 

• Do start with the left cheek if you’re kissing someone! Otherwise, you won’t get a second one
• Do leave your shoes outside when you enter the house if everyone else does that, otherwise you won’t get any drinks
• Do get used to the idea of walking more and driving less when in countryside, roads are deadly! Plus, this way you won’t miss a lot.
• Do wear something conservative when you’re going to church unless you want your dress to be on everybody’s lips.
• Don’t choose an even number when you bring flowers, unless you’re going to a funeral!
• Don’t get shy with soaking up the bread in sauces! Everybody does it here. Do say “pofta buna” first (that is good appetite)
• Do continue the list if you have something to say on this topic!

 

Dracula…or not

Bad news for ghosts, spirits and vampires hunters. No Dracula here.
But good news for bloodthirsty rulers’ fans. We have Vlad Tepes. He was a Romanian ruler in the 1400 whose main prerogative was honesty. Any theft or any other kind of infringement had the same capital punishment: impaling. The blood thirst, the original name, Drăculea, and the legends that described him as a cruel, heartless ruler who had a thing for drinking blood easily inspired Bram Stoker to come up with the modern mythical character, Dracula. You may also be familiarized to the Bran Castle or “Count Dracula Castle”. Funny thing is Vlad Tepes never lived there, but that wouldn’t make it less scary if you visit it at night. Below, a funny sample of “before and after”.

 

Romania, the sporty nation

The flawless gymnast and the footballer whose name is easy to remember if you’re laughing and you’re surprised at the same time HA! GEEE!. Only with an I. Nadia Comaneci and Gica Hagi gave a plus of notoriety to Romania, they’re worthy of being remembered so we don’t mind at all if you choose to start your small talk with that! This time, here’s a sample of “I bet you can’t do that!”

 

Violence, theft and misfortune

The misfortune of not having the greatest informal ambassadors, and that is certainly no way of absolving the Romanians from any flaws but definitely a way of trying to get to people who already have a misconception about how we really are. A drive with your car in the central or northern part of the country, a few days spent with the locals will surely make you understand where I’m coming from when I’m saying that Romanians are gentle and honest people, devoting heart and soul to welcoming their guests. Here’s a sample of genuine Romanians you will encounter in your journey!

 

The communism or why would anyone need a building with 1000 rooms

You can’t argue that one of the Romanian stereotypes evolves around the communist regime. Ceausesu and Casa Poporului are one of the first things that pops in the mind of a foreign fellow when visiting our country. Not to mention the dozen of tourists flashing their cameras in Piata Constitutiei with no intention of catching a glimpse of our funny looking lad, Traian Basescu, but with great hope of catching the start of the Great House’s Endless Marathon. Communism, at its time, wasn’t exactly milk and honey for Romania, (and when I say that, Romanians know best I’m speaking literally and not in idioms). Here are some “leftovers” of those: the big, solid, cold concrete buildings that seem to give a kind of “ quelque chose” to our country when mixed with the old dim buildings and the new-age ones, forming a really interesting architectural pot-pourri, the funny assertive songs and anthems or the colourful uniforms of the young pioneers of those times that seem to come in handy for the Romanian modern art. If not convinced, wait for the Romanian Peasant Museum exposition, “Cantarea Romaniei” (or Praising Songs for Romania in a faulty translation), that’s going to take place somewhere in March, meanwhile here’s a sample of reminiscences.

 

Attractions in Romania

Danube Delta
The Danube Delta is the second largest and best preserved in Europe. It is a wildlife paradise, a very big number of species living here, especially birds. You can visit it for fishing, for admiring the beauty of the nature, the channels, rivers, islands and lakes existing here. You can choose day trips or boat excursions from Tulcea, which has good hotels and specialized restaurants in preparing fish dishes!

Medieval Towns
Medieval towns are a powerful attraction in Transilvania, due to their beautiful landscapes, churches, towers, and citadels. It can be seen here a strong fingerprint of the Saxons who lived in these areas hundreds of years ago, and it has been preserved a traditional spirit, which gives the place a special charm. Some of these medieval towns are Sighisoara, Brasov. Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca.

The painted Monasteries
The monasteries from the northern part of Romania are real masterpieces. They were built in the 15th and 16th century, and their paintings from both exterior and interior sides reveal scenes from the Bible in order to make people understand the facts through images. The most representative monasteries are Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet.

Spas
Romania has some very good spas , appropriate for those who have medical problems but also for those who want to relax in a quiet place or to take care of them throughout natural methods. Some of the ideal locations to do that are: Baile Felix, Bazna, Eforie Nord, Mangalia, Ocna Sibiului, Sovata.

 

Famous castles

Romania has a lot of famous castles, symbols of different periods in history, or symbols of great leaders, which today are an important cultural inheritance.
Among these castles we can mention Bran, recognized as a mysterious place, where Count Dracula lived some time ago. The imposing towers and turrets make the atmosphere strange and the mystery deeper. Nowadays, the castle is an open museum to tourists, displaying art and objects owned by Queen Mary, whose royal residence it was in the 20 th century.
Another famous castle is Peles, situated at the foot of Bucegi Mountains, in Sinaia. It is a beautiful building, with a new-Renaissance German architecture, and it was a summer royal residence for King Carol until the middle of the 20th century.