Romania's solidly second world

Having lived and worked in third world countries, I wouldn't say that Romania is third world; however, I wouldn't say that Romania's first world either. I believe that Romania is solidly second world.

They have issues that have carried over since communism, like lack of caring for public facilities, passing the buck and not wanting to do any work, and not paying the bus fare. Museums lack AC and benches, and toilets are in desperate need of toilet paper, soap, and water. However, there are also good things.

When I went to Romania, it was the height of summer and I was about 6 months pregnant. The good thing was that the city of Bucharest has erected tents that had AC, a cot, and free water. There were a couple people manning the tents as well in case you needed medical attention due to the heat. I think that was my favourite thing; it showed that Romania is slowly moving towards first world status.

The parks are also great and safe as well. Although Romania has a bad rep for its stray dogs, people really care for them and give them food and water. They're also a heck of a lot cleaner than the ones I've seen in Peru.

Romanians, especially the younger generation, are very smart and speak a smattering of languages. They're quick to help you out as well. So while now Romania is second world, I hope in the future, it moves towards first world status.

Be sure to read about what has happened so far. You can find everything in the quick summary of dates.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• University of Toronto's Online TEFL Course

Poll Results For What's your favourite city

Bucharest and Salinas got 0 votes. Cluj, Iasi, Sibiu, and Other each got 1 vote. Constanta and Timisoara each got 2 votes. Be sure to vote in the next poll: Should Romania have waited to join the EU?

Be sure to read about what has happened so far. You can find everything in the quick summary of dates.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• University of Toronto's Online TEFL Course

Communism alive and kicking in Romania

Ok, while not communism per se, there are a lot of people who don't seem to have received the memo that communism fell in 1989. Passing the buck seems to be the norm. Go to government office and it won't be open. Or it'll be open a couple hours a week. Ask someone for info and they'll tell you to go somewhere else, even if they could help you. No one seems to want to work in government offices. Basic things, like elevators, working phones, or AC don't exist in government offices. Don't expect post offices to have pens, boxes, etc either.

The younger generation is better, but there is still a lack of compassion and caring in the older generation. Especially when it comes to caring for public facilities, like not putting posters up all over building walls or graffiti all over the place. Basics like soap, water, or toilet paper can't be found in bathrooms. And more likely than not you'll have to pay to use pink toilet paper and a turkish squat toilet (unless you go to Piata Universitati's free toilets).

I realise that they haven't had it easy, but neither has Germany, yet they recovered well from two World Wars and communism. So I don't see why Romania can't either.

Be sure to read about what has happened so far. You can find everything in the quick summary of dates.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• University of Toronto's Online TEFL Course

Apostillisation in Peru

Turns out that Peru only apostillises documents that have been legalised IN Peru. I think this is ridiculous. I guess they expect us to go all the way back to Peru to sign a document.

My husband got them legalised in Korea, at the Peruvian embassy by a Peruvian notary, but they will only legalise them (again) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That really doesn't help us; we need them apostillised.

We're going to try to get them done in Peru. His mother has power of attorney, so we sent his ID with the paperwork to Peru. Fingers crossed this will work!

Be sure to read about what has happened so far. You can find everything in the quick summary of dates.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• University of Toronto's Online TEFL Course

Welcome to the world TMI

Our daughter, TMI, was born this morning at 6:31am after 52 hours of labour. She came 3 weeks early. weighing 2.73 kgs and 47 cms long. Natural childbirth and we were home 8 hours after she was born.

Be sure to read about what has happened so far. You can find everything in the quick summary of dates.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• University of Toronto's Online TEFL Course