Film Premiers, Romanian Oscars and communists.

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry to start with the weather, but it seems in the UK and Western Europe you have really had a cold windy wet time of it recently. It has been the complete opposite here in Romania. Until recently the temperatures have been way above average. The other evening I went to the local store in Piata Dorobanti at 11.30pm and the pavement cafes were full of people sitting outside. It has not rained here for weeks, in fact there have hardly been any cloudy days just blue skies and sunshine. However at night it is getting cold now with the clear skies. Out in the countryside here it went to minus 11c and was just above freezing last night in Bucharest. It did rain yesterday - only the 5th time it's rained since I arrived here on September 4th!

Life has been continuing as usual. I've been to the premier of the new Bond film Quantum of Solace in Bucharest, a choir singing in the beautiful Athenaeum building in the city, the 3rd Teacher's Whisky Film Festival and a Communist Party!

The Bond premier was a big affair. Not only was it the first showing of the film in Romania but it also was the opening of the first all digital cinema in Europe, in a new shopping mall here called the Liberty Centre. There was free food and drink, a show, a speech by the British Ambassador and of course the film. But by the time all the other stuff was finished the film did not start until 10.00pm. At exactly 11.00pm the film stopped. The screen went blank. We waited. Then waited a bit longer. Then they announced that the film was being streamed directly from the United States, but the permission to screen it finished at 11.00pm. They forgot about this when they organised the programme! So that was it, we all went home not knowing how the film ended!

I had never been into the Bucharest Athenaeum - one of the main buildings in the city, opposite the Winter Palace and the Hilton hotel. A choir Tibi used to sing with performed there this past weekend so we went to see them. The performance was very good but it was the building that was the star. It is extremely ornate and beautifully kept, a fantastic venue.

Another building I had never been into was the Sala Palatului, a 1960s construction behind the Winter Palace. It was where Ceaucescu did many of his key speeches. I was there for a Film Festival on their awards night. I am friends with the head and staff of a magazine/arts group called Tabu. They had entered a film in the festival and were nominated in 3 categories (best male actor, best supporting actress and best costumes). They won one of the categories - best costumes and of course we cheered, stomped, whistled and whooped when it was announced. I stole the award for a quick photo (attached) - it's the closest I will ever get to one!! I'm sure Ceaucescu would not have been impressed with the evening.

Speaking of Ceaucescu, I went to a birthday party with the theme of the good old Communist days! It was the 40th birthday of Cosmin, the husband of one of Romanian's top designers Silvia Serban. We wore the trade mark white shirts and red neck ties, with various communist badges, caps etc. Silvia has just passed her bartenders diploma, so there was a cocktail bar, but all the food was typical of the old days, which seemed to mean mainly bread and eggs! It was a great evening (photo attached) but once again I'm not sure Ceaceascu would have been pleased!

I know that every country has its bureaucracy, but I am coming up against some excellent examples of it here in Romania. If I want to stay in Romania longer than 3 months I need a temporary residence permit. I went on the website of the Administration for Aliens (what a great title for a Government Department - and yes here in Romania I am an alien!!). Their website gave me information on the documentation I needed, location of their office and opening times of the office. While the office is not far away it is only open from 10.00 - 12.00 on Wednesday mornings for these permit applications. But you can make an appointment, only 24 hours before your appointment. So on Tuesday morning I called them to make an appointment.

On the 7th attempt they actually answered the phone:
"Buna ziua" she said
"Buna ziua, vorbiti engleseste?" I asked
"Yes I speak English"
"Good, can I make an appointment to come in tomorrow for my temporary residence permit please?"
"No" she said "this is not the right office, you have the wrong number"
"But it's the number on the website" I protested
"Yes but it is wrong"
"Oh...........ok...........can I have the right number please?"
"You want the number for the permit office?" she asked sounding surprised!
"Yes please"
5 minutes later she gave me the number after she obviously struggled to find it.

On the 5th attempt with the new number I got through and they informed me that the website not only had the wrong number but the wrong address, wrong opening times and wrong information about necessary documentation! Two good things were that the office is closer to where I live and it is open every day from 8.30 - 12.30.....except Wednesdays of course!

And finally - I know this has been a long email but bear with me for 2 more minutes - I have a full time job!!! On Monday I start at the British Embassy as the Personal Assistant to the British Ambassador. So I really will be your man in Bucharest now, working to the Ambassador in the Embassy!

Of course I will let you know how I get on. I'm sure it will be very straightforward with no stories to relate!!

Take care

Andrew x