Independence

On January 24, 1859, the historic act of political unity between Moldavia and Wallachia under one single rule, that of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, turned a centuries old dream into real fact. The age of the Union featured a vast and comprehensive reform program relating to institutions, economy, and education. In February 1866, Cuza was obliged to renounce the throne in favor of the German Prince Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.

The new Constitution (inspired from the Belgian one of 1831), which was promulgated in 1866 and was in use until 1923, proclaimed Romania a constitutional monarchy. In the next decade the struggle of the Romanians to achieve full state independence was part of the movements that took place with other peoples in the south-east of Europe - Serbs, Hungarians, Montenegrins, Bulgarians, Albanians - to cut off their last ties to the Ottoman Empire.

Within a favorable international framework, on May 9 1877, the Assembly of Deputies, synthesizing the aspirations of the Romanian people, proclaimed independence, with foreign minister Mihail Kogalniceanu making the decision known to the world.

The government led by Ion C. Bratianu decided, upon the Russian request for assistance, to join the Russian forces that were operative in Bulgaria. A Romanian army, under the personal command of Prince Carol I, crossed the Danube and participated in the siege of Pleven; the result was the surrender of the Ottoman army led by Osman Pasha (December 10, 1877).

The San Stefano and Berlin treaties (1878) sanctioned the independence of Romania, later acknowledged by the European powers. These international documents re-established Romania's rights over Dobrogea, which was reunited with Romania.

Once Turkish control had been removed, Romania was able to organize its state administration on a modern basis. On 14/26 March, 1881 , the parliament voted a new form of government, the kingdom, with ruling Prince Carol and his wife - Elisabeth of Wied -, being crowned King and Queen of Romania (10th/22nd May, 1881). The king was given a crown made of steel from cannon seized at Pleven from the Turks. As an independent state, Romania started to foster an economic policy directed toward increasing production. Independent Romania furthered a policy which allowed it to play an important role in the concert of European nations.

The 1878-1914 period was crucial in the history of the Romanians. The economy expanded; politics polarized around two parties - conservative and liberal. In 1883, Romania joined the alliance with Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. One of the reasons for this choice can be related to its strained relations with Russia after the decision of the Tsarist government in 1878 to occupy Southern Basarabia.

At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, Romania recorded an outstanding development of culture and science, which matched European standards. It was the time when great scientists like doctors Victor Babes, Gheorghe Marinescu and Constantin Levaditi, chemists Petru Poni and Constantin Istrati, mathematicians Spiru Haret and Traian Lalescu, historians Alexandru D. Xenopol, Dimitrie Onciul and Nicolae Iorga, and linguists Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu, Alexandru Cihac, Lazar Saineanu, Sextil Puscariu, came to the fore.

Touch of ocean life

We all (I hope) imagine a world in which the oceans are healthy and people are committed to protec the integrity of Earth’s natural systems, which sustain us all. To help make this vision a reality, Monterey Bay Aquarium creates a program that introduce people to the wonders of the marine world, from Monterey Bay to the vast oceans beyond. The exhibition focus on living exhibits and seeks to maximize opportunities for visitors to encounter, discover and observe ocean life.

The aquarium project was initiated in 1977 by a group of four marine biologists at Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove and was opened October 20, 1984 in Hovden Cannery factory. (The cannery closed in 1972. The sardine fishery had collapsed, and the market for canned squid was insufficient to support continued operation of the cannery.)

Almost 300,000 individual plants and animals, approximately 550 species, 1.5 millions liters of water only in one aquarium, 30 centimeters glass thick, 1.8 millions of visitors per year. These are only few figures on this impressive exhibition.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is a real touch of ocean life!

The Winner

Big will not beat the small anymore and fast will not beat the slow. In a changing world, only quality should be the winner.

Rules

Ten rules for making every day a great day:

1. Think that good things will happen.
2. Express gratitude to a loved one.
3. Put your gripes away in a box.
4. Be patient with an annoying person.
5. Do something special for yourself.
6. Reach out to someone who needs comfort.
7. Focus deeply on each moment.
8. Learn from a mistake.
9. Observe a flower or tree you haven't noticed before.
10. SMILE!

National Day

After years of being under Ottoman and Tsarist protectorate, Moldavia and Walachia were allowed by the European powers to elect their own princes in 1859. They chose the same person: Alexandru Ioan Cuza, thus forming a new state called Romania. A centuries old dream turned into reality.

During Cuza’s reign, many fundamental institutions of a modern state were created, and an important land reform took place. In 1866, Cuza abdicated and Prince Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen came to the throne. Under his reign, Romania became independent (1877), a new constitution was passed, and the country entered a period of great economic development.

Romania entered the First World War in 1916, on the Allied side. The Romanian Army fought valiantly in the summer of 1917 and registered heavy losses.

In 1918 the National Assemblies of the regions of Transylvania (to the West), Bassarabia (the territory of the present day Republic of Moldova), and Bucovina (now part of the Ukraine) decided to unite with Romania.

On the 1st of December, 1918, the great national assembly in Alba Iulia proclaimed the "unification of all Romanians from Transylvania, the Banat, Crisana and Maramures with Romania for all ages to come".

In 1990 it was decided to celebrate 1st December as Romanian National Day.

National Day history: The first National Day of Romania was set to be on May 10, which had a double meaning; it was the day on which the Romanian monarchy was instituted (in 1866), and it was the day on which the Declaration of Independence was signed (in 1877). The communist regime changed the date of the national holiday to August 23 to mark the 1944 overthrow of the fascist government.

Bucharest Landmarks: National Art Museum

National Art Museum is the most representative art gallery in Romania and is hosted in the former Royal Palace. The Royal Palace was the official royal residence from 1834. Art Museum Palace is situated center of Bucharest (Revolution Square). The Palace displays in its four storeys an extensive collection of European Art and Romanian Art.

Sarmizegetusa

On the top of Orastie Mountains, well guarded by the natural towers and waves of the highs, there is over 2000 years a complex of fortifications of which remarkable is the Sarmizegetusa fortress from Gradistea Muncelului, a political and military center of the Dacians. The ruins show pieces of that was one the jewel and pride of the old Dacian State.

The fortress, a quadrilateral formed by massive stone blocks, was constructed on five terraces, on an area of almost 3 ha. In the fortress the roads were paved with stones. Near the ruins of the fortress there are the ruins of some constructions, probable with religious character: The big quadrilateral Sanctuary and the little round Sanctuary. The stones from the little sanctuary are put in a certain order, symbolizing the sun rays, having of course, a role of a calendar. The ruins of a temple and a guard tower, fragments of ceramics, fire places, tools and installations of spring water collection, are proofs of the life on these places.

Some inscriptions discovered on the stone blocks of the sanctuaries, coins, arms as well as a ceramic vessel with the stamp "Decebalus per Scorilo" ("Decebal son of Scorilo") have given to the researchers the possibility to consider that this settlement existed in the times when in Dacia was ruled by Burebista and next Decebal.

After the defeat of the Dacians the fortress was conquered by the Romans, which established here a military garrison, from which we can see the ruins of a building and of a bath.

Danube Delta

Eighty kilometers before reaching the Black Sea, the Danube river splits into two, and then three branches (Chilia, Sulina and Sfântu Gheorghe) to create a unique and exotic landscape, the youngest land in Europe, a refuge for many rare species of birds, fish and animals. Located at mid-distance between the North Pole and the Equator, the Danube Delta covers 4,152 sq. km of which 3,446 sq. km (82%) lie on the Romanian territory and the rest is in Ukraine.

The Danube Delta is probably the most isolated and least populated region of Romania. The three major main towns are Tulcea, Sulina and Sfintu Gheorghe. Recently, ecotourism fostered the development of other small settlements, such as Crisan.

The Delta is truly the largest and most diverse wildlife refuge in Europe. In this huge sea of reeds and water, animals outnumber humans 1000 to 1. Wonderful as it is, this is a fragile paradise that needs good care and preservation efforts. That's why some of the Delta territory has been designated as restricted areas and natural reservations, and are on the list of UN natural monuments.
Bordered by thatch, willows and oaks entangled in lianas, the maze of canals offers the perfect breeding grounds for countless species of birds. Some of the birds migrate to Romania from as far away as China and Africa.

The top bird-watching season is May to June. However all summer long, one can row up the canals covered in gorgeous water lilies, and have surprising encounters. The richness of the Delta's wildlife doesn't stop above the surface. The underwater world is equally diverse. Although one should never trust a fisherman's stories, it's a fact that here catfish outgrow people in size. The Delta's waters are abundant with fish.

Paphos Castle

Originally built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbor, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, then dismantled by the Venetians in 1570, who found themselves unable to defend it against the Ottomans, who in their turn restored and strengthened it after they captured the island.

In summer and autumn, the mediaeval fort offers a giant backdrop for memorable performances (like "Nabucco").

Kolossi Castle

Τhe Castle of Kolossi was built in 1210 when Kolossi was given by King Hugh I to the knights of the order of St. John of Jerusalem. The expeditions of the Genoese in 1373 and 1402 and the raids by the Marmelukes in 1425 and 1426 caused a lot of damage to the castle. A general restoration became necessary and this is why the present appearance of the castle is dated back to 1454. It was restored by Louis de Magnac, Grand Commander, who held the fief from about 1450. The Coat-of-Arms on the east wall of the castle, set below the royal quarters of Jerusalem, Lusignan, Cyprus and Armenia, is believed to be his.

The castle has been looked after very well and is a most impressive, square shape, very similar to a tower. It reminds us of many similar towers in Europe. For the period it was built the castle offered satisfactory security to the neighborhood. It was strong enough to resist any attacks and that is why it was considered to be impregnable.

Each of its four sides are 16m long on the outside and 13.5m on the inside. The height of the castle is 21m. The solid construction proved able to protect the castle through the ages and also from the many earthquakes that happened in the surrounding area.

The castle consists of 3 stories. The ground level which was used for storage purposes, with water cisterns in two of the chambers. At the south side of the ground floor there is an arched exterior door 1.2m wide and 1.65m high. The second story is divided into two large chambers. In one of these, there is a large but simple fire place (indicating that the chamber was used as a kitchen). The entrance of the second story was possible by drawbridge which was destroyed and replaced in 1933 with a stone staircase.

The Grand Commander, or his lieutenants, had his residence on the third story. This floor consisted of two big chambers, with beautiful fireplaces, which bears the three-leaved badge of Louis de Mahnac. It is thought that these chambers were divided at half their height with the aid of a wooden floor into two attics or storerooms and also into living rooms. From the third story, a spinal staircase leads to the roof-platform (with 19 battlements so that it could be defended).
There are not many to see inside (except the nice panorama from the upper platform). It can be a short stop on old Limassol-Paphos road, or you can admire its silhouette from the speed of your car.

Cats Sanctuary

On your way to Akrotiri, a small indicator to right shows the way to MCPS - Cat Sanctuary. Is Malcolm Cat Protection Society (http://www.malcolmcat.org/) . Here , abandoned cats found a welcoming home. Going inside you are immediately surrounded by their velvety meows. You’ll find there relaxation, playing friends and maybe some little scratches.

They say that in old times, visiting the island, Empress Helena of Constantinople was amazed by the number of venomous snakes and how many people die from them. Knowing that cats successfully fight against snakes, she sent two ships with cats. They were left on the island at, as now called, Cat Cape (Gata Cape), not far from Akrotiri. Nearby the monastery St Nicholas Cats was erected.

Sky Hawk

Looking at Earth from sky, at least for me, is always an excited experience. Griffon Aviation (http://www.griffonaviation.com/, operating on Paphos airport) gives you the opportunity for a pleasure fly to admire the island. (They are organizing also training flights.) You’ll realize how arid Cyprus is. Despite this, many villas plots are erected everywhere. (And even a wind farm was constructed – a little strange thinking that here the sun is on the sky almost all year round.) And if you are lucky, you can see the landing of a commercial plane from the tarmac and the takeoff from the air, being close to airport.

Limassol Castle

The Medieval Castle of Limassol is situated near the old harbor in the heart of the historical centre of the city.

The original castle was built by Guy Lusignan in 1193 and was surrendered to the Knights of Jerusalem in1308. The castle suffered serious damage in 1373, when Genoese conquered the castle and burnt the city. It was sufficiently restored at the end of the 14th century to withstand renewed attacks by the Genoese in 1402 and 1408. In the 1413 the castle survived the first attacks of the Marmelukes. Severe damage, however, caused by earthquakes a little later, resulted in its conquest in 1425 by the Marmelukes in their second attack of the city. In 1491 a new intense earthquake seriously damaged the castle. Extensive reconstruction was undertaken at beginning of the 16th century. In 1538 the Turks captured Limassol and the Castle. The Venetian governor of Cyprus, Bragadino, after winning the battle, decided to demolish the castle to prevent its possible recapture. The earthquakes of 1567/8 speeded up its gradual destruction. After the Ottomans acquired Cyprus in 1576 the remains of the Castle were incorporated in the new Ottoman fort which was strengthened its walls measuring 2m. in thickness. The underground chamber and the first floor were transformed into prison cells and remained in use until 1950.

The castle is a must stop when you visit the Limassol old town.

Kykkos Monastery

The Holy Monastery of the Virgin of Kykkos was founded around the end of the 11th century by the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081 - 1118).

According to tradition, hermit Esaias was living in a cave on the mountain of Kykkos. One day, the Byzantine governor of the island Manuel Voutoumites, who was spending the summer at a village of Marathasa because of the heat of the season, went into the forest to hunt. Having lost his way in the forest he met Esaias and asked him to show him the way. The hermit who was not interested in the things of this world would not answer his questions. Voutoumites got angry at the monk's indifference and maltreated him.

Not long after, when Voutoumites returned to Nicosia, he fell ill with an incurable illness. In his terrible condition he remembered how inhumanly he had treated the hermit Esaias and asked God to cure him so that he might go to ask the hermit personally for forgiveness. And this came to pass. But God had appeared in front of the hermit and revealed to him that the very thing that had happened had been planned by the divine will and advised him to ask Voutoumites to bring the icon of the Virgin, that had been painted by the Apostle Luke, to Cyprus.

The icon was kept in the imperial palace at Constantinople. When Voutoumites heard the hermit's wish he was taken aback because he considered such a thing impossible. Then Esaias explained to him that it was a matter of divine wish and they agreed to travel together to Constantinople for the realization of their aim.

Time was passing and Voutoumites could not find the right opportunity to present himself in front of the emperor and ask for the icon. For this reason he provided Esaias with other icons and other necessary things and sent him back to Cyprus, at the same time placating him that he would soon see the emperor. By divine dispensation the daughter of the emperor had fallen ill with the same illness that had struck Voutoumites. The latter grasped the opportunity and went to see the emperor Alexios. He recounted to him his personal experience with the monk Esaias and assured him that his daughter would be cured if he sent to Cyprus the holy icon of the Virgin. In his desperation the emperor, seeing that he had no other option, agreed. His daughter became well instantly. The emperor, however, not wanting to be parted from the icon of the Virgin, called a first-class painter and ordered him to paint an exact copy of the icon with the aim of sending this one to Cyprus.
In the evening the Mother of God herself appears in a dream of the emperor's and tells him that her wish is for her icon to be sent to Cyprus and for the copy to be kept by the emperor. On the following day the royal boat with the icon of the Virgin departed for Cyprus where Esaias was awaiting for it. During the procession of the icon from the coast to the Troodos mountains, according to legend, the trees, participating in the welcoming ceremonies, were piously bending their trunks and branches. With patronage provided by the emperor Alexios Komnenos a church and monastery were built at Kykkos, where the icon of the Virgin was deposited.

The Town of the Cats

Along time, I had chance to visit some town in the world. You can find, in many of them, unknown emblems: the “community pets”. Let count: dogs in Bucharest, swans in Prague, rabbits in Dresden, crows in Tokyo, and so on. Limassol is the town of the cats.

Camel Park

No so long time ago, camels were common in Cyprus. Even today you can take a short ride at Camel Park, near Mazodos (on Larnaca-Limassol shore road). You can spend here a nice day, enjoying not only the ride, but also, a small museum, farm friendly animals, Cypriot food and a cooling pool.

Limassol Art Promenade

Molos is the well-known Limassol Promenade. It is a place usually crowded by tourist and locals. Many attractions are on this 2 km-long esplanade (ideal for walk, fishing and relax). Here is a big open-air art exhibition. Stone, metal, wood, water and even air, gray and colors, strange and usual, all are present. Take a walk and look around! (See more photos at Art Promenade.)

OMODOS - The Village of the Holy Cross

Omodos is a wine-producing village. It can be admires for its gravel-paved central square and its rich architecture.

According to tradition, the village accepted the Christian faith around 150 AD. One night, the inhabitants saw a great fire and after search the area, they discover a small cross hidden in a cave. A chapel was build near the cave and with the passing of time a monastery was built to accommodate the pilgrims who sought cure from the Holy Cross. The history of the Monastery of the Holy Cross is long and dates back to 327 AD when Agia Eleni (Saint Helen) visited the island.

Eastern Mediterranean See

A culture which draws on Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East, and 9000 years of constant invasion: Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks Romans French crusaders, Genoese, Venetians, Turks, British… Crusader castles rub shoulders with ancient vineyards, frescoed monasteries overlook citrus orchards, and sandy, sun-soaked feet tread Roman mosaic floors… The birthplace and centre of worship of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty… Picturesque harbor, long, sandy beaches, charming villages in its mountains (here life has gone unchanged over the years), famous monasteries… 800.000 inhabitants and many more tourists every year.

Kopiaste! Welcome to Cyprus!

Seven

Our lives are made up of Seven Vital Areas: Health, Family, Financial, Intellectual, Social, Professional, and Spiritual. If (not daily), we spend a sufficient quantity and quality of time in each area, our lives will be in balance. But if we neglect any one area, never mind two or three, we will eventually sabotage our success. Much like a table, if one leg is longer than the rest, it will make the entire table wobbly. If we don't take time for health, our family life and social life are hurt. If our financial area is out of balance, we will not be able to focus adequately on our professional goals, etc. Each of us as going around with a big book under our arm, and it has seven chapters, on each of the seven vital areas. And every day we add a new page to each chapter. We are writing the story of our lives. What do we like to say about our health life, on the last day of our life? What would we like to say about our family life on the last day of our life? … And the only reason we focus on the last day of life is that on that day, we cannot change the book. Time heals all wounds. It doesn't matter what's "broke" in our lives; maybe you have some social issues, some financial issues, with time, we have a high probability of fixing those deficiencies. But on the last day of our lives, there's no more time, and the story has been told.

Love

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others include Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left. Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, "Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat." Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, "Sadness, let me go with you." "Oh... Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"

Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her!

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come Love, I will take you." It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder his name. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went his own way.

Love realizing how much he owed the elder and asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who helped me?" "It was Time," Knowledge answered. "Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because, only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."

[Source: Internet]

Fell the Music: Romanian Athenaeum

The Romanian Athenaeum is the symbol of the city as far back as its 1888 inauguration. The work of French architect Albert Galleron, who also designed the National Bank of Romania, the building was inaugurated on February 26, 1888, and was built almost entirely with money donated by ordinary citizens of the capital, when a campaign called 'Give a penny for the Athenaeum' rescued the project from folly after the original patrons ran out of funds.

The first concert of the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra took place on March 5, 1889, under the Athenaeum’s dome. Between the two Wars, the hall was embellished with a superb fresco, and at George Enescu's suggestion, was endowed with an organ.

Romanian Athenaeum is situated in Revolution Plaza (on Bd. Calea Victoriei). With its sublime baroque cupola, it stands proudly at the flux of the city's busiest public square, competing with the Athenee Palace Hilton hotel, the Royal Palace and the old National Library.

Romanian Athenaeums is the place to hear classical music; the resident orchestra is the George Enescu Philharmonic. The auditorium can seat 1,000 spectators comfortably, and is renowned worldwide for its outstanding acoustics.

It this Romania that you know?

At what are you thinking when you hear “Romania”? These are the answers that I got from a professional group:

• I have been only once in Romania (it was approximately 8 years ago). You have definitely very nice mountains. I love them. I do not know how it is now but when I was there I could make tent everywhere without any punishment...from my point of view it is last place in Europe where man can really feel free (Alps are horrible in this point of view). Unfortunately, I got some bad experience with gypsy people on south of Romania: they sit next road and once when they saw that we are not going to stop, they just throw stone against our car, next the front window. They could even kill us :-(.
• First though - Count Dracula;-). I've never been to Romania so this is almost everything.
• Dacia
• Beautiful Carpathian Mountains, largest ethnic minority in Europe, December 1989, RMDSZ, Trianon, and of course the gypsies on the side of the road. The Csango people of E. Romania & Moldova a good people, however.
• For me Romania = great business opportunities and new market for our services and products at the moment! We have to be fast, because the Romanian IT companies getting better and better.
• When I hear Romania, growing opportunity comes to my mind :).
• Loving Romania and visiting this country several times. Nevertheless, last time we’ve escaped fast from the mountains with three small children (two at the back seat) hearing bears. Brrr… We have friends in the Sibiu, beautifully repaired city and I love to go there again. However I am really not sure if to go there now with the car without a spare wheel. Routes are not the best.
• I've been there once and what I have seen: nice people, nice culture, country of great opportunities and the best place to arrange a motorbike trips (winding roads with a breathtaking views)
• I'd love to go to Romania and already have some friends there :) Looking forward to doing business in there soon :)
• I don’t think that there is a significant difference between safety in the Bucharest , Sophia or Prague. The difference for me is in the accessibility of the services far away from the capital that helps to solve the trouble if something happens. No one put the professionalism of the specialists in Romania to the doubt. I know several very good specialists for the quality management and process improvement from the south-east Europe. Good luck.
• Beautiful country. Absolutely gorgeous!!! And people are very honest in their behavior and open towards others. And ....the food is great :)
• No journey to Eastern Europe would be complete without paying a visit there. Outstanding landscapes. Simply magnificent.
• Normally Hungarians go only to Transsylvania. I am exception: I have been on business trips several times to Bucharest only. First time I landed in 1996, I thought: Oh my God, how many years they are behind us. Last time I was there in 2000 I thought: Oh my God how many years they will beet us if they continue at this pace. I met with Romanian businessmen and women, and I had positive impressions, however to make business there is not easy.
• I expect that Romania has the same trouble as all post-communistic countries including Czech, Slovak or Hungary: for local companies friendship is more important decision attribute than quality of a supplier. On the other hand, subsidiaries of large international companies have decision headquarter abroad and managed by people in USA, Japan, Germany,… that prefer local subsidiaries of their global partners and do the “waste time” with small local companies.
• I visited your country in 1999... Very nice Retezat and Sureanu mountains, strange people around the railway station in Arad around midnight. Summarized, I have good impression and recommend to everyone to see the mountains.
• Personally, I find Romania perspective for business. So I wonder to look for business partners in Romania in the nearest future

Romania's romance

Due to its geographical location, Romania was always the meeting point of political and territorial interests. The Romans, and later the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires have all tried in turn to take over this land. This makes Romanian history particularly interesting, as the local people always stood up against foreign occupation, managing to preserve its culture and traditions.

Historically, the descendants of two very old peoples: The Dacians and The Romans. The Dacians were the ancient inhabitants of the land. Due to the legendary richness of this region, Dacia was a great temptation for the Roman Emperors. But Dacia was not easy to conquer, and general after general had to bow in front of the brave natives. Finally, the Emperor Traianus conquered the country in A.D.106. The celebration of the victory lasted 123 days. Seven years later, Traianus erected a monument depicting his victory, which is called Traianus's Column and still stands in Rome. By the mixing of the two peoples, the Romanian people emerged. As a proof of Rome's powerful influence, not only the land was later called Romania, but also, the Romanian language evolved from Latin.

What is Romania today? Come to see and don’t believe all “political” stories.

Vladimireşti Monastery

Vladimireşti Monastery is situated between Galati and Tecuci, at 4 km from Tudor Vladimirescu commune. This monastery is one which has the greatest number of nuns of Romania, after Agapia and Varatec. Its history is in connection with the life of Veronica Barbu Gurau (in 1941, she took the veil to become Mother Veronica).

In summer of 1936 there was a drought. One particularly hot day Vasilica came running into the village announcing a miracle: she has seen the Holy Virgin, Jesus and an old man, God, in a beam of light which turned into flame when touching the earth on the Gurgueta Hill outside the village! They had given her a command to pass on to the people: to build a convent and dedicate it to the Holy Virgin, for the redemption of Romania. They told her the country would be faced with terrible trials in the coming years so the nuns should pray unceasingly for mercy. The nuns should never number more than 200 and the church, cells and convent were to be the work of their own hands. Work began that very week. She carved a cross on the bark of the old tree where God had spoken to her and the news of her vision spread. Girls from nearby villages came to help her and the peasants gave them the land with the tree.

After being closed by communist regime in 1956, on Christmas Day of 1989, just three days after the Romanian Revolution, the nuns, lead by Mother Veronica, were returning to their rightful home, to their place where, in their hearts, they wanted to celebrate the birth of Christ. They found their monastery in a poor condition. It had been used as a home for mentally handicapped children and the church had been used as a gymnasium and storage area. The tiled floor was damaged, the stained-glass windows smashed and the frescoes deteriorated. But there were some surprises - a portrait of King Mihai still hung just inside the doorway, covered throughout the communist period by another picture, and many of the icons had been kept safely by villagers and were now returned. Many of the original nuns joined her together with several younger girls.

Nowadays, Vladimireşti is an incredible working community which is largely self-sufficient.

[Ref.: http://www.manastirea-vladimiresti.go.ro/vladimiresti-eng.htm]

Gara de Nord: Your Gate to Bucharest

On October 4, 1868 a law passed for the construction of railways in Romania. It allowed the H.B. Strousberg Prussian Concession to build, in three years, the first Romanian railway network. On September 22, 1869 works were started at the main railway station of Bucharest: Târgovişte Station. It was opened to the public on 27 November 1870, when the railway Roman-Galaţi-Bucharest-Piteşti was inaugurated.

Built after a plan proposed and approved by the Technical Council of the Public Works Ministry, the Târgovişte Station was thought as a transit station, with six lines, direct access to the three storage areas (one of them was for perishable merchandise) and a depot for locomotives with eight places. The last line insured direct access to the Reparation Atelier for Locomotives and Wagons.

The passengers' quarters with a single floor was 93.4 meters long and was made of a central building, guarded by two towers. It had two clitoral wings and the front was parallel to the Calea Targovistei Street. Between the two towers there were three main gates for passenger access. The entrance became in 1896 the Royal Salon, specially created for the visits that the King of Austria, Frantz Ioseph 1st and King of Serbia, Alexandru Obrenovici paid the king of Romania.

In the summer of 1887, at the Bucharest Central Atelier for Locomotive and Wagons Repairs a gas plant was built that supplied power to the installations in the station and in 1897, a power plant became operational. The plant insured electric lighting to the station. Once the station was modernized, the name changed to Gara de Nord (North Railway Station).

Since then, a lot of work was done to keep in line with traffic increase and continuous modernization of railways transportation.

Now, almost in the middle of the town, Gara de Nord is the main railway station in Bucharest and the largest one in Romania. With good connections with subway, local transportation and international airport, Gara de Nord is your gate to visit Romania.

Apple's Wisdom

Steve Jobs: "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

Silicon Valley

About 50 years ago, the authorities of Stanford University (California) tried to solve their financial problems by leasing part of the university land to high-tech companies for 99 years . The original bequest of his farm by Leland Stanford prohibited the sale of the land, but there was nothing to prevent its being leased, so the Stanford Industrial Park was founded. The goal was to create a center of high technology close to a cooperative university.

Geographically, Silicon Valley is an area surrounding San Jose, California, in the Santa Clara Valley. Technologically, it is the center of today's computer industry.

But don’t think of Silicon Valley like an area dominated by robots and metallic-futuristic architecture. It is a spot with natural attractions. It is an attractive place for residents to live and tourists to go to see. The areas around Silicon Valley can also be visited and enjoyed.

The Two Wolves

A native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt.

He said: „I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.”

The grandson asked him, „Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?”

The grandfather answered: „The one I feed.”

[Source: Native American Story]

Mărţişor: Welcoming the Spring

Mărţişor is a traditional celebration of the beginning of Spring. It is a symbol of friendship and love, appreciation and respect, given especially to women.

The name Mărţişor is the diminutive of the name for March (Martie, in Romanian), and thus literally means "little" or "dear March". (It is also the folk name for this month.) It is made with red and white string, from which a small decoration is tied, and which is offered by people on the 1st day of March. Usually, women wear it pinned to their blouses for the first days of this month.

Red is the color of fire, sun, blood, and the symbol of life, associated with the woman. White is the color of the cold snow, foamy waters, the clouds, and also of man's wisdom. The thread of the Mărţişor represents the union of the feminine and the masculine principles, the vital forces which give birth to the eternal cycle of the nature.

Ski invitation: Predeal

Situated in Brasov county, between Prahova and Timis rivers, is Predeal, the highest town in Romania (1033 m). Surrounded by mountains, it is an excellent base, in winter, for skiing. You will not find here the slopes from Austria or Switzerland, but, if you enjoy the “white sport” it is a good opportunity to practice it very easy.

Not so far from Bucharest (around 150 km), Predeal is very easy accessible by train (or car). So, next time in Bucharest, in a winter business trip, take one more day. Gara de Nord rail station is almost in the middle of the town. 2 hours and 15 minute are enough, in a comfort of Snow Train (especially in service for winter period), to reach Predeal. We’ll have one day full of fun.