Horse-drawn carts jostle for space against fast cars whose drivers are talking money on mobile phones; farm workers watch Baywatch, courtesy of satellite dishes standing in the rear yard of their medieval farmhouse.

Romania has majestic castles, medieval towns, wildlife, and the inexpensive skiing of much of the “undiscovered” former Eastern bloc. You will be floored at how different Romania is, but you will almost certainly see signs that it is chasing the dreams of the rest of the West.

Ancient Romania was inhabited by Thracian tribes. In the first century B.C.E., Greece established the State of Dacia. It later fell to Rome and became a province of the Roman Empire. Faced with Goth attacks, the Roman legions withdrew south of the Danube, but the Romanized Vlach peasants remained in Dacia, forming a Romanian people.

By the 10th century, small Romanian states emerged and evolved into the principalities of Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transylvania. The Magyars spread into Transylvania, and by the 13th century it was an autonomous principality under the Hungarian Crown.

Before Transylvania fell to Ottoman control in the 16th century, Wallachia and Moldavia offered strong resistance to expansionism. During this struggle, the prince of Wallachia, Vlad Tepes (known as the Impaler, because he rarely ate a meal without a Turk writhing on a stake in front of him), became a hero; he later became associated with Dracula.

Transylvania was under the direct rule of Austria-Hungary until the State of Romania was created in 1881.

Carol II, who had succeeded his father Ferdinand I to the throne, declared a royal dictatorship in 1938. In 1940, Romania was forced to cede northern Transylvania to Hungary by order of Germany and Italy.

After the war, the Soviets engineered the return of Transylvania to Romania, and a Romanian People's Republic was proclaimed.

In the late 1950s Romania began to distance itself from Moscow, pursuing an independent foreign policy under Nicolae Ceausescu (1965-89). If his foreign policy was skillful, his domestic policy was inept and megalomanical. His Securitate (secret police) kept the populace in check, recruiting a vast network of informers.

He was removed from his post in 1989. He tried to flee Romania but was arrested and executed.

Since 1990, inflation has fallen; steps have been taken to improve social benefits; and there have been attempts to shelve grievances between ethnic minorities and improve relations with Hungary.

The main achievement to date is giving the Romanians hope. Fewer young Romanians are fleeing their homeland, preferring to make the most of promised future opportunities.

Romanians are extremely hospitable. They will welcome you into their modest homes, feed you until you burst, and expect nothing in return other than friendship.

The Republic of Romania is the 12th largest country in Europe. It occupies the greater part of the lower basin of the Danube River system and the hilly eastern regions of the middle Danube Basin. Its 91,700 square miles make it similar in size to the United Kingdom and the State of Oregon. Some consider Romania to be a “Latin Island,” because it is bordered by two seas: one real, the Black Sea to which Romania owes its 150 miles of coastline and the other, the sea of non-Latin countries with which it shares its other borders. Bulgaria is south, Yugoslavia west, Hungary northwest, and Moldova and Ukraine to the east and north.

The country is almost equally divided geographically into mountains, plains, hills, and plateaus. Apart from a stretch of tableland near the Black Sea coast, Romania's mountainous sector is part of the rugged Carpathian chain.

Romania has a continental climate, particularly in the Old Kingdom (east and south of the Carpathians). A long, and occasionally harsh, winter (December-March), a hot summer (May-August), and a prolonged autumn (September-November) are the principal seasons. The average daily minimum temperature for Bucharest (February) is 28.6ºF, and the average daily maximum (August) is 95ºF. Rainfall, heaviest from April through July, averages 5 inches in June. Bucharest’s climate is like Washington, D.C.’s but less humid.

Romanians consider themselves descendants of ancient Dacians and their conquerors, the Romans. After the Roman occupation and colonization (A.D. 106-271), the Goths, Huns, Slavs, Magyars, Turks, and other invaders each influenced the population. The ethnic Romanian population (about 85%) prides itself on roots traced back to those Latin-speaking Roman, Thracian, Slavic, and Celtic ancestors. This Roman origin and Latin culture distinguishes Romanians from their Slavic and Hungarian neighbors. The remaining population consists of Hungarians, Germans, Slavs, Jews, Roma, Tartars, and Turks. Emigration has drastically reduced the Jewish and ethnic German populations.

Romanian law toward minorities is nondiscriminatory and the government allows them cultural and linguistic freedom. The concept of Romania as a unitary national state, however, runs deep among ethnic Romanians and tension with minorities occasionally appears.

Religious affiliations follow ethnic lines, with about 70% of all Romanians belonging, at least nominally, to the Romanian Orthodox Church. Many who were Greek Catholics (Uniates) are returning to that church. Roman Catholics constitute about 6% of the population, and the remaining 24% include Calvinists, Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, and Jews.

Romania ceased being a Socialist Republic in 1990, following the December 1989 overthrow and execution of former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Since then, there has been a continual process of reorganization of the country’s institutions. This includes a new constitution, which was ratified on December 8, 1991.

The transitional government, replacing the Communist dictatorship that had controlled Romania since the end of World War II, renamed the country Romania (it had previously been the Socialist Republic of Romania). It also proclaimed its support for multiparty democracy, a republican form of government, a tripartite separation of powers, a free market, and the observance of fundamental human rights.

Romania has subsequently held three national elections, changing the governing party twice.

The bicameral parliament consists of a 119-member Senate and a 397-member Chamber of Deputies. The national legislature is elected on a proportional representation, party-list system through a universal, secret ballot. The Chamber of Deputies also includes 12 appointed members to represent the national minorities who do not win an elective seat in Parliament.

Romania's chief of state is the President, who is elected by universal, direct, and secret voting by all citizens over the age of 18. Once elected, he must sever ties with any party or political organization. Decrees issued by the President, including ratifying treaties, promulgating laws, and declaring war and states of emergency, must be countersigned by the Prime Minister.

The President, with the approval of both houses of Parliament, currently appoints the Prime Minister. The President usually appoints as Prime Minister the representative of the political party receiving a majority of votes in the national parliamentary elections. The Prime Minister may appoint and dismiss the members of his cabinet. Appointments are subject to approval by both houses of Parliament. The central government appoints prefects who serve as the executive branch representatives in each of the country’s 40 provinces and Bucharest. Cities, towns, and other municipalities have elected mayors and councils.

The President appoints the members of the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General, with Senate approval. The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal while the Constitutional Court has the authority to rule on the constitutionality of the legislation. The Prosecutor General is the chief public prosecutor. The Prosecutor General's office is divided into civil and military jurisdictions and each of the country’s provinces has its own prosecutor, subject to the Prosecutor General.

Primary law enforcement rests in the hands of the national police force, which investigates common crimes, patrols populated areas, and controls traffic. Each province has its own police precinct, located in the provincial capital, which supervises the activities of police constables stationed in every sizable town. There are eight precincts in Bucharest, with a chief of police maintaining overall supervision. The national gendarmerie, under the control of the Ministry of Interior, is a uniformed, paramilitary force that is deployed in situations beyond the control of local police, such as for riot control. The gendarmerie also provides security for diplomatic embassies and facilities as well as for economically significant industrial installations. The Ministry of Interior coordinates counternarcotics responsibilities involving several agencies, including local police and customs agents. Internal security and the protection of state secrets are the responsibilities of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), which includes uniformed troops among its personnel. The SRI also is responsible for counterterrorism; an anti-terrorism brigade is assigned to each of Bucharest’s six sectors.

The impact of folklore and tradition has had a strong influence on the evolution of Romanian culture. “Miorita” (“The Ewe Lamb”), an ancient legend about the relationship between man and nature, is considered the masterpiece of Romanian literature. The richly embroidered cultural tradition of Romania has been nurtured by many factors, much of it predating the Roman occupation. Traditional folk arts, dance, woodcarving, weaving, and decoration of costumes as well as an enthralling body of folk music still flourish in many parts of the country.

Modern Romanian literature was born in the mid-19th century and includes such writers as Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889), Ion Creanga (1837-1889), Ion Luca Caragiale (1842-1912), and poet Tudor Arghezi (1880-1967). Romania has over 21,000 public libraries. In 1985, the State Publishing House and the Academy of Romania published more than 5,500 books and booklets. Every Romanian, on average, reads five books a year.

Despite strong Austrian and German influence, the modern movement in painting and sculpture is rooted in the revolutionary period, 1830-1848, when the sons of wealthy Romanian boyars traveled abroad to study in Western schools of art, particularly in Paris and Rome. Influential are: Nicolae Grigorescu (1838-1907), a painter of mildly impressionistic peasant scenes, and Theodor Aman (1831-1891). Notable modern painters are: Nicolae Tonitsa (1886-1940), Gheorghe Popescu (1903-1975), Ion Tucuescu (1910-1961), and Marin Gherasim (born 1937). Graphics, book illustration, and poster design are respected arts in Romania. Romanian artists, ancient and modern, are distinguished by their fondness for bold, bright colors.

In music, George Enescu and Dinu Lipatti are well known. Bucharest has had opera since 1864; soprano Elena Teodorini (1857-1926) received wide public acclaim.

Serious literature is widely read, and Bucharest abounds with galleries exhibiting Romanian and foreign artists. Several concerts and recitals are held weekly, in season, in addition to regular ballet and opera schedules at the Opera House. Bucharest’s active theater produces a variety of dramas and musicals. Tickets are astoundingly inexpensive by American standards.

Science and technology in Romania are closely connected with contemporary efforts to modernize the nation and create an industrial state. The most prestigious of scientific societies founded in the last century is the Romanian Academy, founded in 1866. Today, applied science and technology are officially emphasized, particularly in the education and research institutions. The National Council for Science and Technology and the Academy of Social and Political Sciences direct scientific research.

The state supports education in Romania, with elementary and the first two levels of secondary school compulsory for all. Secondary schools, called “licee,” are available for students who have passed national examinations and are preparing for advanced study at universities. Competition for entrance into the universities and for postgraduate study is fierce. Major university centers include Bucharest, Cluj, Iasi, Sibiu, Timisoara, and Craiova.  Half of the students receive scholarships.

Romania’s economy, which used to be centrally controlled, is in the process of moving toward a free market system. A large number of formerly state-owned enterprises have been turned into limited liability or joint-stock companies, and thousands of privately owned businesses, mostly small service-oriented operations, have appeared. In spite of this positive trend, the country still suffers from the crippling legacy of the Communist regime, and faces enormous difficulties in the process of changing old economic structures and mentalities. Industrial production has decreased sharply, foreign trade has recorded unprecedented deficits, unemployment is rampant, and inflation is high.

Romania's natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron, copper, bauxite, uranium ore, salt, and timber. The country’s industrial structure is dominated by the chemical and petrochemical, iron-and-steel, and machine building sectors. Textile, leather, and glassware manufacturing, as well as wood processing, are also significant.

The country has a total of some 15 million hectares of agricultural land, of which 10 million are arable. Until early 1991, cooperatives accounted for about 67% of this total, state farms for 21%, and private holdings for 12%. The land reform law, currently awaiting implementation, will return about 80% of all land to private farmers. Crop production represents 55% of the value of agricultural output. Corn, wheat, barley, and sunflower are the most important crops. Romania also has extensive orchards, vineyards, and truck farms. Animal husbandry (mostly cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry) has good potential for producing significant quantities of meat and dairy products. Modernization of agriculture and of food processing tops the country's priority list.

Romania maintains economic and commercial relations with most other nations. It belongs to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. A growing number of foreign firms (including some 100 U.S. companies) have representative offices in Bucharest.

Left-hand-drive automobiles are used in Romania.  Most employees ship American or Western European cars to post. Availability of car parts varies widely depending on the make and model.  If you plan to ship a vehicle, you should ask GSO whether your vehicle make and model can be serviced locally. Although parts and service are available for some vehicles, they are not available for all and you may want to include some parts in your shipment. Cost for parts purchased in Romania can be very expensive. Consequently, based on the age of your vehicle you may want to plan on shipping items such as: fan belts; fuses, spark plugs; points and condensers (if your car uses them); windshield wiper blades; touch-up paint; air, oil, and fuel filters; spare headlights and other bulbs; and any other parts such as brake pads, shock absorbers, gaskets, and hoses your local dealer’s service department recommends. If possible, bring your car’s service manual. It is possible to purchase some auto parts through Internet companies.

Vehicles older than 8 years can only be sold within the diplomatic community.  The average Romanian is now allowed to register an older vehicle. If you plan to ship an older car, be sure that it is in good running condition, including the battery and tires. While most people use their cars daily, the actual mileage driven during a tour in Romania is much lower than in the U.S. Many people bring Western-quality motor oil, antifreeze, transmission, and brake fluid back with them by car when they travel to the West, but you can ship them with your effects if you can pack them in a leakproof manner. Tire failure on rough roads is common, so bring two spares. Tires may be ordered, but the wait is lengthy. Many resort to placing tubes in their tires.

After duty hours the Embassy mechanic performs servicing for privately owned vehicles (POVs) of Mission employees who pay directly for this service.  Some drive their cars to Western Europe, Turkey, or Greece for maintenance due to warranty.

Unleaded gas is available in Romania. Romanian premium gasoline currently costs 60 cents a liter (about $2.40 a gallon); diesel fuel is less expensive, but harder to find and may be of poorer quality than gasoline. If you own a diesel auto, plan to carry extra fuel when traveling outside Bucharest, since supplies are sometimes unavailable. Gas stations are located in most cities, but days and hours of operation vary as some close on Sundays and during the winter months.

Winters in Bucharest can be very hard on your car as snow and ice removal programs for city streets are variable.  Bring a set of American-style (V-bar) tire chains even if you have a European car, or plan to purchase steel-studded (spike) snow tires that are legal to use in winter in Romania. A good auto jack, lug wrench, a set of jumper cables, tire chains, and flashlight are important, as is an emergency tire-inflator/sealer bottle. Have a car first-aid kit.

Each family may import duty free, register, and sell upon departure only two vehicles during a normal tour of duty. This limitation includes vehicles purchased from other diplomatic personnel in Romania. Due to fluctuations in the exchange rate and the actual Embassy need for local currency, the Embassy periodically must reevaluate reverse accommodation exchange benefits. Vehicle sellers may have to sell vehicles for dollars, not Romanian lei, at a lower price than anticipated. Hence, do not expect to realize a profit from selling your car at the end of your tour of duty. Generally, the higher the cost of the car, the harder it is to sell at a price the seller expects.

Third-party liability insurance is mandatory. It must be bought locally and is relatively inexpensive. Regardless of date of arrival at post, a full calendar year's premium must be paid.  GSO completes registration upon possession of the vehicle and third-party liability insurance. Collision insurance is available from U.S. companies or various local insurance groups.

Current State Department regulations prohibit shipment of foreign vehicles to the U.S., but make an exception for privately owned automobiles of Foreign Service personnel in Romania. This exception has been granted under the provisions of 6 FAM 165.9-1(E)(2) and remains valid for shipment of foreign vehicles to the U.S. regardless of where the car may go after Romania. Department of Defense regulations are similar.

Foreign-made vehicles often do not meet EPA emission control standards.  Before importing such vehicles into the U.S., approval and emission control adaptation must be arranged. The import procedure is more complicated than that for an EPA-approved vehicle, including potential out-of-pocket expenses for the employee.

Police cars are blue and white, with a blue light on top and are labeled “Politia.” Fire trucks are red. Many ambulances are not white and do not always use their sirens; some have a red cross painted on the door and use only a flashing light.

Some Embassy personnel use local transportation in Bucharest.  However, buses and trolleys are slow and crowded; long waiting lines and frequent breakdowns are normal.  State-owned taxis are metered and, in addition, many private taxis are available.  Vehicles are of varying condition, and drivers do not have special licenses. Most are not equipped with meters. Private taxi drivers establish their own tariffs and may require hard currency payment, especially for airport trips.

Streets in Bucharest are hard surfaced, but with varying quality in the bumpy and cobblestone streets. Potholes are common. Streets are slippery when wet, particularly cobblestones. Inefficient to nonexistent snow removal makes ice buildup a serious problem in the winter.

Bucharest’s Baneasa Airport provides some domestic air service on TAROM, the State airline, and charter flights. Otopeni Airport, about 10 miles outside of Bucharest, has both domestic and foreign air service. Many Embassy personnel have used TAROM for trips to Greece and Western Europe with varying opinions of the service. It is somewhat cheaper to fly TAROM than a Western carrier.

Driving is more common for trips around Romania, but some personnel have used the rail system for official and personal trips. Foreigners rarely use intercity buses.

The national road system is generally fair. Most roads are two-lane with an asphalt surface, but some less traveled roads are gravel and dirt. A four-lane highway runs from the northern city limits to Ploiesti, and a four-lane limited-access highway stretches to Pitesti. Frequent encounters with heavy truck traffic and horse-drawn carts or farm machinery can hinder progress on Romanian roads.  Reststops for fuel and food are available on major routes. For further information, see Notes for Travelers.

Romania’s telephone service can be slow. Embassy residences and offices have touch-tone systems. Local calls from pay phones cost 600 lei (less than 15 cents). Long-distance domestic and international calls can be direct dialed from USG quarters. Long waits and poor connections are common.

Calls to the U.S. can be made from home or the Embassy. Calls from Romania to the U.S. are approximately the same price as calls made from the U.S. to Romania.  All Embassy homes have telephones for which employees pay a monthly fee. Employees will also be billed for long-distance personal phone calls made through the Embassy Operator.

Send personal mail and parcels from the U.S. via the Department of State diplomatic airpouch. The official address is:

John Doe
Department of State
5260 Bucharest Place
Washington, D.C. 20521-5260

Regular U.S. postage is required for all mail. Parcels must conform to size and weight limitations (i.e., 24 inches in length and 62 inches in length and girth combined, not to exceed 40 pounds). Parcels over these limits will be rejected by the pouch service in the State Department. It is illegal to send any packages containing aerosols or liquids of any kind and any packages containing these items will be returned to the sender. Incoming U.S. mail pouch is scheduled for two times a week (Monday and Friday). Outgoing pouches are dispatched twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday). Average delivery time from the U.S. east coast to Bucharest is 10-12 days (allow more time at Christmas). Mail from Bucharest to the U.S. is the same so keep this in mind when making monthly bill or mortgage payments. You are not allowed to ship packages out of Romania using the pouch system. Large envelopes are accepted but cannot exceed two pounds.

Bring a supply of U.S. postage stamps for letters, even though the Employee Association sells a limited supply.

There are six major television stations in Romania: PRO TV, Romanian State Television (RTV), Antenna 1, Prima TV, Acasa and Tele7abc. A large number of television stations outside the capital are affiliated with one of these broadcasters. The others are local television stations that cover only the immediate urban area. All these stations broadcast via satellite. Fifteen TV stations have some affiliation with Worldnet, the IBB television service. Worldnet is also carried on many cable systems. While the news programs are in Romanian, the TV stations carry a large assortment of American TV programs and movies in English. Cable systems carry satellite programming from the U.S., France, Italy, Spain, and other countries. They include, for example, CNN and EuroNews, as well as entertainment programs such as HBO, Hallmark, Cartoon Network, TNT (certain hours), FoxKids, MTV, and Discovery Channel. HBO is an additional $4 per month.

The color system in Romania is European PAL, 220v. If you have plans to use or to buy a television set and videotape player, it is recommended you purchase multisystem sets and machines that can accept both PAL and NTSC signals. A multisystem/double-voltage music system is also advisable. Such multisystem sets are available from military exchange facilities and tax-free companies such as Peter Justesen. Satellite dishes can also be acquired locally.

The Embassy’s Bucharest Employee and Recreation Association (BERA) rents NTSC VHS videos to members. There are also local video-rental stores (PAL system) that offer American movies with Romanian subtitles.

Almost 600 newspapers and periodicals are published regularly. Feisty, politically committed, often unrestrained and irresponsible, and leaning toward the sensational as they compete for readership in a crowded market, the print media offers the Romanian public a great variety of information cutting across the political spectrum.

There are local English-language publications, including two weeklies, a daily newspaper, 9 o’clock, and one monthly, In Review. Some dailies, e.g., Evenimentul Zilei, have an Internet edition that can be read in English.

A few international newspapers and magazines can be found in certain kiosks in the central part of the city, in hotels, and at the airport. A personal subscription to the International Herald Tribune is available, but expensive. U.S. publications on the Internet can be accessed from Romania.

The State Department PA/PD section’s daily Washington File contains an excellent collection of official U.S. Government statements on a variety of issues. The European Staff File is a compilation of news articles from major American newspapers. Both are available on the Embassy web site.

Romanian medical care is below U.S. standards. The Embassy maintains a Health Unit staffed by a Foreign Service Nurse Practitioner (FSNP) and two part-time Romanian nurses. Post is also served by a regional medical officer (RMO), who is resident in Vienna and makes visits to post about 3 times per year and a regional psychiatric officer (RMO/P), who is also stationed in Vienna and visits post annually.  These doctors are available for telephone or cable consultation.

The Health Unit can provide: (1) routine health care; (2) most immunizations; and (3) health-care advice to those personnel participating in the Department of State’s Medical Program through ICASS. Currently, the Nurse Practitioner contracts with an American family physician residing locally when needed. There are several private clinics with Western trained physicians that are sometimes utilized as consultants.

The Embassy Nurse Practitioner handles most general emergencies and treatment. One of the local nurses normally accompanies personnel to the hospital, as required. American diplomats and their families use the Emergency Hospital only for emergencies. When necessary, the FSNP consults with the Regional Medical Officer to determine if medical evacuation to Western Europe or the U.S. is required. Ordinarily, personnel who need medical attention in Western Europe are med-evaced to London.

There are several good and clean private dental clinics that Americans use for routine and sometimes emergency care. Emergency dental problems that cannot safely be handled in Bucharest are referred to London. All treatment received is at the patient's expense.  Foreign Service medical regulations allow one evacuation trip, plus one day per diem per year for certain kinds of emergency dental care (see 3 FAM 680 for details). Orthodontic care and treatment is available in Romania.

Local pharmacies stock most Western supplies, although routine American over-the-counter medications such as Dimetapp, Pepto-Bismol, etc., are hard to find. The commissary stocks a reasonable selection of patient medicines and health aids. Personnel should not rely on the Health Unit for day-to-day basic medical supplies. Bring at least a 6-month supply of Band-Aids, peroxide, rubbing alcohol, acetaminophen or aspirin, cold remedies, vitamins, as well as the makings of a solid first aid kit. Many insurance companies will permit individuals going overseas to obtain a one-year supply of any necessary prescriptions, including contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy. These medications are not available in Romania on a reliable basis. The Nurse Practitioner can write prescriptions that can be filled via U.S. pharmacies that send medications and health supplies overseas. There are also mechanisms to obtain medications online via certain Internet-based pharmacies. There are pouch restrictions regarding the shipment of liquids, which include medications.

Weather and local sanitation can be a problem and aggravate certain health conditions. Garbage pickup and street sweeping and washing in Bucharest are sporadic, but sewage disposal is adequate. Winter weather is hard because streets are not cleared of snow and ice, and apartments and work sites are irregularly heated. In winter, particulate, soot from burning wood and soft coal will aggravate sinus problems, asthma, and allergies; dust from the extensive construction in Bucharest will do the same for some people year round. Water supply can be a health problem, but all Embassy homes have water distillers and bottled water is readily available. Lead and heavy metal content in water is high, but allowing the tap to run a few minutes before use will bring lead levels to an acceptable range for bathing. A few cases of cholera have been diagnosed in the Danube Delta area in summer months, primarily from contaminated water, preventable by treating water.

AIDS and sero-positive HIV remains a public health problem, particularly among children. The primary cause is vertical transmission from HIV-positive mothers and the reuse of contaminated syringes. Numbers are increasing among the adult population due to prostitution and HIV drug abuse. AIDS surveillance programs have begun in Romania, as well as programs for blood donor screening for HIV and Hepatitis A, B, and C.

The American Embassy Bucharest Health Unit has a “walking blood bank” system in effect, in the event a blood transfusion should be necessary. A list of potential donors from the Embassy community is kept by blood type and screened. The local Emergency Hospital has agreed to bank Embassy donor blood if necessary in the event of a major traumatic injury. All new arrivals receive a health briefing and booklet covering current health issues at post.

All immunizations should be current upon arrival. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended, as well as typhoid shots or oral typhoid vaccine. Children should have up-to-date DPT, MMNR, HIB vaccines, polio, and Hepatitis B. Any needed immunization for children (except varicella and PCV) is available at the health unit. Bring blood type records, as well as a copy of the last clearance exam for all family members.

Stray dogs are a very common problem, with an average of 50 dog bites per day in Bucharest. Currently, no rabid dogs have been reported in Bucharest, although there are 3-4 cases of human rabies per year reported by local hospitals. Because of the ongoing over population of dogs in Bucharest and surrounding areas, we recommend rabies pre-exposure immunization for everyone over the age of 2. This is a series of three vaccines and should be done prior to arriving at post, if possible. The health unit keeps an emergency supply of rabies vaccine for use only after an animal bite.

Local water does not contain fluoride. The Health Unit has limited supplies of fluoride drops/tablets for children, but bring a supply with you. Bring vitamins with fluoride for small children. All children over the age of 6 months should receive fluoride supplementation while living in Romania.

Employees or family members with respiratory, orthopedic, or other ailments that prohibit climbing stairs should be aware that usually one flight of stairs is required to enter a building.  Once inside the building, stairs abound, with either no elevator or an occasionally nonfunctioning one. Within the Embassy itself are five buildings, all with one or two flights of stairs. In general, buildings in Bucharest are NOT wheelchair accessible.

Prescription glasses are replaceable locally and reasonably priced, so bring a copy of your prescription. It is very difficult to find “lineless bifocals”or “progressive” lenses in Bucharest, though there are one or two vendors that deal with these prescriptions.

The Embassy has an employment policy for Members of Household (MOH). The employment situation for members of household within the Mission is good. There are fewer opportunities for employment on the Romanian economy.

Most MOH wishing to work have been employed, at some time, by the Embassy, the BERA, the American School, or as English tutors. The post cannot guarantee, however, that the work will match prior experience or salary levels or that it will be continuously available.

Short-term positions are sometimes available for special projects. Visiting business delegations occasionally request secretarial assistance from the Embassy. Summer vacation jobs are available, when funds permit. The Embassy tries to support a summer hire program for dependent children (over 16 years of age) of embassy employees.

For more specific information, contact the human resources officer or the community liaison officer.

With over 2 million people, Bucharest is Romania’s largest city and its political, economic, and administrative center. Once a settlement on an ancient trading route, Bucharest is located on a wide agricultural plain in the southeastern part of the country, 40 miles north of the Danube and 156 miles west of the Black Sea.

The city, at an altitude of 265 feet, enjoys a temperate climate. Except for the 22-story Intercontinental Hotel, Bucharest has a low skyline. It was once called “the Paris of the Balkans” due in part to broad boulevards, the many terrace restaurants and cafes, and its Triumphal Arch. Numerous parks, tree-lined drives, and 19th-century neoclassical architecture add to the city's charm. Many former aristocratic residences have been converted into offices for State enterprises, diplomatic missions, or residences. These buildings deteriorated under communism in favor of Soviet-style monolithic constructions, but restoration work is beginning on earlier architecture.

French is the second most common language spoken in Bucharest, but some knowledge of English is common among educated persons under 35 years of age. Knowledge of Romanian is an important asset, even for nonofficers and dependents.

Traffic in Bucharest, though not heavy by American standards, is always hectic due to the increasing number of vehicles on the road and minimal safety laws. Pedestrian traffic is always heavy and pedestrians pay little attention to traffic signals or traffic itself, so drive with caution. Strolling in late evening is a popular pastime during good weather. Though most of the city is better lighted than before the revolution, city streets are still dark by American standards. Problems of pick-pocketing and auto vandalism are on the increase.

Bucharest has numerous parks and gardens, many with lakes and splendid fountains, though they can be quite crowded on weekends. The largest of these parks is Herastrau, which also houses the Village Museum, established in 1936, which holds more than 200 predominantly 18th- and 19th-century buildings extracted from Romanian villages. In central Bucharest, an abundance of architecturally fascinating churches, large and small, abound.

Social life in Bucharest is diverse. There are several good restaurants, frequented by Westerners, nightclubs, movies, opera, symphony, and ballet. Something for everyone.

The Chancery compound is located near the city center at Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9. The main Chancery building is an ornate, rococo mansion built in 1888. The compound houses the Executive, Political, and Economic Sections, the Defense Attaché Office, the Regional Security Office, the Administrative Section, the FBI offices, and the Consulate. The Embassy snackbar and commissary, managed by the Bucharest Employee Recreation Association (BERA) are also located on the compound.

Two blocks from the Chancery is the American Cultural Center. General Services is housed on a compound in a converted residence, about six blocks from the Chancery. A newly acquired temporary building houses the Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, and some of the Security Offices.

Embassy business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour for lunch. All U.S. Government career employees, except the Ambassador, DCM, USAID Mission Representative, Peace Corps Director, RAO, RSO, and IMO, serve on the Embassy duty roster; the duty period is one week about two to three times annually. A Marine Security Guard is on duty 24 hours daily at the Chancery.

New arrivals may have to stay in temporary, Embassy-leased quarters while permanent housing is readied for occupancy. A few families may occupy hotels during the busy summer moving season. Anticipate a 2-week or longer waiting period for the move from temporary to permanent housing if you arrive during a time of heavy post turnover.

Welcome Kits are provided until your airfreight arrives (usually about 3 weeks). The kit includes linens, dishes, flatware, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, iron and ironing board (with pad), toaster, and vacuum cleaner. A crib, if necessary, with appropriate linen is also available.

For many years the Embassy had leased all of its housing from LOCATO, an entity of the Romanian Government. Private leases, recently legalized, are anticipated to expand the Embassy’s constrained housing pool in the future. Every consideration is made to ensure personnel the best possible housing for their needs and comfort. Housing layouts are sometimes very different from Western standards, however, and most housing units have some kind of drawback.

Houses and apartments for families average two or three bedrooms. Most have separate living and dining rooms, but even the largest house may have only one full bath. Built-in closets are rare, but wardrobes are provided. Some of the apartments in Bucharest have balconies. Small, separate but adequately appointed kitchens are the norm. Houses have cellars and a few have attics. Unfortunately, except for the Ambassador’s residence, the DCM’s home, and a few other houses, backyards are rare. Most housing is within 10-30 minutes of the Embassy.

New housing development is a booming business in the outskirts of Bucharest, and the Embassy has recently acquired leases on several more modern duplexes outside the city center near the new campus of the American International School of Bucharest. Families with children attending the AISB may be housed near the school.

The post housing board assigns housing on the basis of family size and employee position. Most quarters are apartments, with a few single-family dwellings within the city and in the Baneasa area near the school.  You will not necessarily occupy the quarters of your predecessor. Except for the Ambassador, DCM, the DAO, USAID Director and Marine Security Guards, all housing is pooled and usually rotates.

The Embassy pays all rent and utilities (except telephone). Employees pay for gardening service, if applicable, and maid services. The Embassy’s maintenance staff handles most routine residential repair work. Housing improvements-especially safety and security improvements-are being done on an ongoing basis, as circumstances and funding permit. Occupants are expected to maintain and keep their premises in good order.

The Ambassador’s residence is a three-story house with a one-car garage. The ground floor has two salons, a small library, and a large dining room.  A terrace runs the length of the building along the dining room.  On the same side of the house is a 28,000-square foot garden with a tennis court.  Ample room is available for in-door receptions. On the ground floor, extending back from the dining room, is an indoor swimming pool, measuring 33´x 16´with a minimum depth of 3´. The swimming pool looks out onto the garden with the roof terrace/garden directly above. The master bedroom, dining room, and cloakroom, plus three more bedrooms, are on the second floor, and two bedrooms are on the third floor.

The DCM's home is in one of Bucharest’s most attractive areas.  It is half of a large duplex house that is shared with the Defense Attaché. The DCM’s two-story house has a shared garage and an attractive yard.  It has a large kitchen, dining room, living room, library, four bedrooms, and servants’ quarters.

The Defense Attaché’s home is a mirror image of the DCM’s house, but with one less bedroom on the second floor and a screened porch off the master bedroom.

In addition to these homes, the Embassy leases a few other houses and numerous apartments.  Many employees live near the Embassy. Some of the apartments have terraces or balconies; a few have gardens or courtyards.  Most apartments are in buildings with small elevators.  A few units are duplexes. Some apartments in Bucharest have high ceilings, many windows, and are roomy with some storage space. A few have garages, but many personnel park their cars on the street.

This is a “furnished post” for State Department employees. Furnishings include carpets, curtains, and draperies, at least one refrigerator and freezer, range, washer, dryer, distiller, and air-conditioners. Two transformers are provided for incidental use. Upon request, State also provides its employees a vacuum cleaner and a humidifier.  Personnel may want to bring additional humidifiers if more than one bedroom will be occupied.

Bedroom furniture includes a queen-sized bed for the master bedroom and twin size for all other bedrooms.  Some bunk beds are available but baby and juvenile-type furniture is not available. In addition to these furnishings, the Ambassador’s residence and DCM’s home are furnished with china, glassware, silver, and serving pieces. Other agency personnel should contact their office in Bucharest about furnishings provided. Most houses have been converted to diesel-fuel heat. Space heaters supplement the apartment building heating system that can be inadequate in winter.

Bring dishes, glasses, flatware, kitchen utensils, and pots and pans, as well as bathroom rugs, shower curtains and hooks, a good supply of coat hangers, ironing board, iron, and accessories. Bring a complete set of linens: sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads, pads, towels, tablecloths, napkins, and dishtowels. Electric blankets and flannel sheets are welcome in winter, especially for apartment dwellers; U.S. model electric blankets generally work well with a transformer.

Bring wall hangings and art, small occasional furniture pieces, several throw rugs, extra lamps, and items to help individualize your home. Bring shelf and freezer paper, household tools,

No unusual climatic factors adversely affect household furnishings here, but dust and grime are year-round challenges.

Dual burners for natural gas or diesel centrally heat many houses. Apartments have electric space heaters or heat pumps for use when building hot water heating is reduced by low gas pressure in the colder months.

Electricity in Bucharest is 220-volt/50-cycle, AC. The Embassy provides transformers for use with furnished appliances. If you already have transformers, or can obtain them in Western Europe, bring them. Motors for many vacuum cleaners can operate on both 50/60-cycle systems. Vacuum cleaners are provided but if you choose to bring a vacuum cleaner, irons, or other small appliances, 220-volt/50-cycle is recommended.

Electric current can be variable. Frequent low-voltage conditions, occasional high-voltage spikes, and below normal cycles are common. Bring 220-voltage stabilizers or surge protectors to protect sensitive high fidelity computers, or similar equipment. A 110v computer with a 110v voltage stabilizer will work through a transformer. Do not bring plug-in electric clocks, even those made for 50-cycle current, because low cycles cause them to lose time.

Bring a supply of European electrical adapters and multiple wall plugs.  If you already have 220-volt, 50-cycle small appliances, bring them. If you need something after arrival, you can buy it from military commissaries in Germany, Danish mail order houses, or the Army-Air Force Exchange System (AAFES) catalog.

Water pressure can be a problem. Water pressure pumps and reservoir tanks have been installed in some houses and duplexes, but this has not been possible for apartments in buildings not totally occupied by U.S. personnel.

Embassy families have many alternatives for food and supplies. In addition to the consumable allowance, the commissary, managed by the Bucharest Employee Recreation Association (BERA) has an assortment of popular American products. American employees and their families may use the commissary (and other BERA facilities) upon payment of dues and a refundable deposit. The selection includes many American favorites, including bacon, hot dogs, cheddar and cream cheese, butter and a small selection of frozen convenience foods. Liquor, soft drinks, juice, flour, brown sugar (which is not available on the local market), vanilla, a large variety of canned goods, chips, snacks, cookies, detergent, pet food and paper products are also available in limited quantities. Prices are generally 20%-30% over U.S. retail prices due to shipping costs and commissary overhead. BERA sponsors community-wide special orders from Ramstein, quarterly and from Peter Justesen, monthly.

Consider use of your consumable allowance to ship unique and long shelf items either before your arrival or shortly after you arrive at post. Suggestions include caselots of paper products, laundry products, baby food, disposable diapers, pet food, kitty litter, etc. If you contemplate a bulk shipment from the U.S., weigh the consumable separately from the rest of your household effects, since the unused weight can later offset transportation costs of other shipments. State, USAID, and Agriculture travel orders allow extra food shipments during the first year of a tour. DOD also provides increased weight allowances.

Storage space in all housing is sufficient for all frozen and refrigerated goods, but apartment dwellers may find insufficient space for a full consumables shipment of dry goods. To ensure relative freshness of products, however, many people make an initial partial shipment and then another shipment before the travel authorization expires. Many employees also purchase groceries on-line from netgrocer.com at very reasonable rates.

In the past couple of years, several Western-type supermarkets have opened locally. All of these stores carry German, Danish, French or Spanish meats, cheeses and canned goods. Local outdoor markets carry a wide selection of local and imported fruits and vegetables, some of which are available year round. Lettuce is hard to find during the winter months, although usually available in more upscale markets at a high price. METRO, a bulk purchase membership store on the order of Price Club, offers some U.S. products. Baby food and baby products by Hippo, Nestle and Danone can be found in most grocery stores, but choices are basic. Diapers and other baby-related products can be purchased at pharmacies and larger supermarkets, but not of U.S. quality standards.

Pork is the most widely available meat in Romania and available in all forms. Ceafa is the name of the popular sliced pork cuts that are grilled, fried or baked. Beef is also available, although it is difficult, if not impossible, to find quality steak cuts. Ground beef is generally good. Cuts are different than American cuts and quality and selection vary from location to location. Lamb is not available out of season (Easter). Frozen chicken and chicken parts are widely available although local chicken tends to be tougher and smaller than American produced chicken. Fresh skim milk is not available. Long-life, full fat and reduced fat milk are available almost everywhere.

Dress here is simple and informal, but is conservative at official Romanian and European diplomatic functions. "Informal" is the most widely used term for social functions: sometimes it means a casual suit or sport coat for men and dress for women; at other times a dark suit for men and cocktail-length dress for women. Wardrobes should resemble those needed in Washington, D.C.

Include warm winter clothing; a warm coat, scarves, hats, gloves, and boots. Silk or thermal underwear will protect against chilly under-heated buildings in winter. Bring or plan to order all footwear.

The quality of available clothing and footwear varies. All clothing, including children’s, differs noticeably in fit from items purchased in the U.S., and will probably be more expensive. Selection is limited and medium-to-large sizes of women’s wear are difficult to find. The stores tend to sell out of the more popular sizes quickly and the shops stock fewer of the other sizes. Some clothing can be made to order locally by a seamstress or a tailor, but you must supply zippers, buttons, threads, needles, linings, and in some cases, fabric. Bring a sewing machine if you sew.

Bring rubber boots for the entire family; soot and coal burning in winter make ice and snow very acidic and damaging to leather. Snow boots with good tread are necessary, as streets and sidewalks are icy most of the winter. Shoes for women in larger sizes can be difficult to find.

The post currently uses the following designations for dress on invitations:

Black Tie: Black tuxedo (or summer white dinner jacket) for men; long or short formal dress for women.

Tenu de Ville: Dark business suit for men; long or short formal dress for women.

Informal: Business suit for men; long or short dress for women. Sport shirt and slacks for men; long or short casual dress, hostess gown, or slacks and top for women.

Military: Officers assigned duty here should have both service and dress uniforms.

Shops in Bucharest carry a variety of both locally made and imported items. American brand goods are scarce and expensive, so if you have preferences, bring them with you (i.e., toiletries, cosmetics, medicines, first-aid items, tobacco, and other household, recreational and entertainment supplies). Bucharest has a large variety of locally made china, glassware, and crystal at very reasonable prices.

Bring garment bags, hot-water bottles, heating pads, hangers, tools such as hammers and screwdrivers, assorted screws and nails, glue, masking tape, scotch-tape, European-type converter plugs (not British), picture-hanging hooks and wire, multiple wall plugs, flashlights, and lighter fluid. If your child uses disposable diapers, send a supply in your household effects.

Wrapping paper, ribbons, and cards are now available on the local market. The selection however, is limited. Bring gift wrapping paper and accessories, birthday candles, stationery items, greeting cards (including a supply of Christmas/holiday cards), party decorations, party games for children and adults, and party favors. Some children's toys are sold locally, but they are not as durable or attractive as those you bring or order. If you have small children, include small toys and games for exchanging at birthday parties.

The commissary has some pet foods and other pet items, but bring your favorite brand. Supply may be limited, due to limited storage space.

A limited selection of houseplants is available locally. Household and outdoor gardening supplies and sprays are available, but difficult to find. Some potting soil is available.

Sporting equipment, such as roller blades, bicycles, and soccer balls, are available locally, but they are either expensive (imported) or inferior in quality (locally made). Therefore, plan to bring all sporting equipment, clothing, and sports accessories. Some smaller sporting goods can be ordered and received through the diplomatic pouch, such as ice skates and roller blades, but size limitation is restrictive (see Mail and Pouch services). Sleds, skis, and bicycles are best shipped with household effects.

Film and developing services are available locally and are on par with international standards. Kodak is the main supplier. Matte finish is not available in Romania.

The supply of basic services has increased greatly in Bucharest over the last few years. Basic services can still be very expensive, especially, automobile services. Many European and Japanese dealerships exist in Romania. Some spare parts and maintenance and repairs from these facilities are available. For ease and efficiency, it is a good idea to pack extra maintenance parts (i.e., air and oil filters, spark plugs, etc., in your household goods. Smaller devices, such as air compressors and extra gas caps, are good to have if you intend to travel by car throughout the country. (Embassy mechanics can handle minor car repairs if you supply the parts.)

Many salons and barbershops exist for hair care and beauty services, but services are not consistent, and price does not necessarily determine the quality. Individuals can also provide these services in your home. Hair color tends to be extreme in Romania, but you can provide hair-coloring supplies to be used by a hairdresser. The majority of Embassy personnel use two drycleaning services that make weekly deliveries to the Embassy, Consulate, and USAID. Tailors and seamstresses will either make or alter clothing (see Clothing). Shoe repair services are available.

Most Embassy personnel employ Romanians to help with the housework and/or to care for their children. Individuals rely greatly upon their household help not only for their responsibilities in the home, but as resources for local information. Even single personnel usually hire a part-time maid. It is important to consider this when planning representational events. The Ambassador and DCM have larger household staffs.

It is possible to find English speakers to work in the home. However, it is easier to employ an English speaker for childcare than it is for housework. Household help does not live with the family. Referrals are the main source for hiring domestic employees.

Salaries depend upon the size of the family and quarters. The length of time the employee works daily and the amount of responsibilities you assign to your household helper are also determining factors for salary levels. The average minimum monthly salary for full-time help is $200 per month. Romanians prefer to be paid in dollars and most personnel comply due to the fluctuating lei rates.

If you plan to bring a governess with you, notify the Administrative Section early to initiate arrangements for the required documentation and registration with the Romanian Government.

Romanian Orthodox is the dominant religion in Romania, but churches of many other denominations exist. Baptist and Roman Catholic churches in Bucharest hold services in Romanian; Lutheran churches have services in German. A Jewish synagogue has services in Hebrew.

Romanian Orthodox Christmas and Easter celebrations are quite beautiful and an interesting and enjoyable experience for those interested in traditions of the Orthodox Church.

For more information concerning places of worship, contact the CLO upon arrival at post.

The American International School of Bucharest (AISB), established in 1962 under the sponsorship of the American Embassy is attended by many English-speaking expatriate children. The school is a non-profit, co-educational program that is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the European Council of International Schools for grades K-12. A new campus on the outskirts of Bucharest was opened September 2001 and houses all of grades K-12.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) forms the academic base of the AISB curriculum.  All graduates of AISB earn an American diploma and since 1997 the school has offered the IB diploma.  Additionally, in school year 1999 AISB instituted the IB Primary Year Program (PYP), and IB Middle Years Program (MYP). The AISB curriculum is based on educational standards followed in the U.S. The school accepts students of all nationalities. Approximately 400 students comprise the student body. The school recommends that parents contact the Admissions office as far in advance of arrival to post as possible. Records and grades from previous schools, a birth certificate and passport (photocopy of front page) or proof of age are also required. Tuition is fully covered by the Foreign Service educational allowance grant from kindergarten through grade 12.

The school term consists of 180 teaching days. The calendar does not observe all U.S. holidays, but includes a 3-week Christmas-New Year holiday and a 1-week spring vacation.

Contact information for the American International School of Bucharest is:

American International School of Bucharest
5260 Bucharest Place
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20521
Telephone: 011 401 211 0102
Fax: 011 401 211 0104 (Dialing from the U.S.)

Director: Fred Wesson
E-mail: director@aisb.ro
        Fwesson@aisb.ro

There are two new British schools in Bucharest. Both facilities opened their doors in August 2000 and are accepting students through the 4th grade (5th year in the British system). Both schools follow the British curriculum. The classes at both schools are growing, and both plan to add at least one grade per school year until they can accommodate all school-aged children.

The British School of Bucharest is located in a newly renovated property in central Bucharest. Current enrollment is approximately 40 students. Class size is limited to 12 students, so it is important to register your child as early as possible.

The Director of the school is Maggie Yerolatsitis and the School Manager is Corina Atanasiu. Both people can be reached at: 001-40-1-210-4219, or e-mail: jeremyh@pcnet.ro. The school also has a Web site: http://www.britishschool.ro.

Some Embassy children attend the Fundatia International British School of Bucharest, which is located in the heart of the city. Current enrollment is approximately 50 students. The school accepts students from kindergarten through 6th grade (years 1-7 in the British system). The facility is brand new with large, sunny classrooms.  Class sizes vary between 14-18 students.

The school principal is Mr. Jonathan Merrett and he can be reached at cell phone number: 092-560-586, or e-mail: office@ibsb.ro. The school Web site is: www.ibsb.ro.

The British Christian Academy (BCA) is a school committed to a Christian English-language education for the children of missionaries serving in Romania. Children from diplomatic or business families are also welcome to apply to BCA. The school accepts students from grades 1-12, and currently has approximately 100 students.

The school is housed in three separate buildings on the same city street. The buildings provide classrooms, administration area, library, music center, computer lab, and multipurpose activities area.

The Director is Mr. Roger Dyer, and the Business Manager is Glennis Henry. Both can be reached at: 323-5887, or e-mail: BCARom@aol.com.

Several other countries support schools in Bucharest, including French, German, and Japanese schools. There is also a Montessori school for young children. Contact the CLO if you would like further information on these schools.

Some Embassy parents of secondary school children choose to school them away from post.  One of the best sources for boarding schools information is The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) at HYPERLINK http://www.schools.com. The Web site lists the boarding schools that belong to TABS and provides links to the websites of the individual schools. For more information on U.S. boarding schools, contact the Office of Overseas Schools. Carol Sutherland is the Director of the Resource Center. Her e-mail address is: SutherlandCT@state.gov.

Contact information for the Office of Overseas Schools is 202-261-8200 by telephone and 202-261-8224 by fax.

Physical training is becoming increasingly common in Bucharest. However, the costs for modern facilities that meet standards to which we are accustomed, are high. Two major hotels in Bucharest have sports clubs that admit local memberships.

The Embassy also has a small workout room with a treadmill, stair-step machine, Nordic Track, and stationary bicycle. A Universal workout center and free weights are also available.  There is one shower room available for use by Embassy personnel.

Outdoor sports within the city or its parks can be complicated due to the heavy traffic and the stray dog population.  Bowling, swimming, soccer, horseback riding, tennis, ice-skating, and skeet shooting are available. Post personnel also have arrangements with the AISB gymnasium during the winter months to play basketball and volleyball. There are areas outside of the city where you can fish, camp, mountain bike, hike, and ski. Jogging and biking within the city or its parks can be complicated due to the heavy traffic and the stray dog population.

Romania has many natural and historical points of interest and beauty. Travel restrictions do not exist in Romania. There are certain designated areas with a crossed-out camera sign where photography is off limits, but in general unlimited and wonderful photo opportunities abound.

The Carpathian Mountains offer spectacular views and hiking and camping opportunities. There are many small bed-and-breakfasts as well as larger hotels with more modern amenities. The Black Sea offers summer recreation at the beach, including jet skiing and boating. The northeastern area is beautiful with its rolling countryside and its famous painted monasteries. On the exteriors of these monasteries, built in the 15th and 16th centuries, paintings were used to illustrate religious messages and folklore for the illiterate population. These paintings have survived hundreds of years of exposure and the formula used to create this masterful artwork is still a mystery.

Sinaia, located in the mountains 130 kilometers from Bucharest, is a popular weekend getaway. Sites include Sinaia Monastery, founded in 1695, and Peles Castle, built in the 1880s by King Carol I. Bran Castle, often presented as “Dracula's Castle,” is nearby. Bran’s most famous resident was actually Queen Marie of Romania, granddaughter of Queen Victoria who married Prince Ferdinand in 1892. She often referred to Bran as a “pugnacious little fortress.”

Approximately 10 kilometers from Bucharest is Mogosaia Palace, built by the Brincoveanu family in 1702. Here, you can walk through the gardens, have a meal at the restaurant, or enjoy the view from the banks of the river. Snagov Lake is also a popular destination. Located only 40 kilometers from the city, the lake offers water sports in summer and picnicking year round. A monastery built in 1519 occupies an island in the lake where the tomb of Vlad Tepes, better known as Dracula, is said to be located.

Frankfurt is the overseas R&R location for all personnel.

Bucharest is host to a variety of nighttime entertainment options, including casinos, discos, restaurants, opera, movies, theater and symphony. The prices are still affordable compared to Western prices. New restaurants open daily, although the quality can often vary.

Some of the national museums are undergoing renovations. It is possible to visit these places and even find an English speaker to provide a guided tour. There are a few surprises within the national museums, and a visit is well worth the time and minor renovation inconveniences.

One can easily spend weekends in Bucharest shopping for various types of artwork. Many shops sell traditional crafts like linens, carpets, icons and woodcrafts. Glass and crystal are a major attraction for most foreigners. Artisans display and sell their works-either in their own galleries or through shows and shops. There is a new mall in the city that houses a multiplex cinema and a variety of stores and fast food restaurants.

Bookstores do not offer a wide range of foreign-language materials; however, some English-language magazines, newspapers and newsletters are available (see Newspapers, Magazines, and Technical Journals). Most foreigners either bring reading materials with them and participate in book exchanges or order books by mail. The Bucharest Employee Recreation Association (BERA) runs a small exchange library in the Embassy that works on the honor system.

BERA and CLO offices hold weekly happy hours, occasional games nights and monthly theme events. The Marine House hosts TGIFs, theme parties and dinners, BBQs in the spring and fall, kid’s nights, and Toys for Tots. These events are open to Embassy personnel, American citizens living in Bucharest, individuals from other Embassies, particularly British and Canadian, and foreign national employees.

The Marine Corps Ball is the major formal event of the year. The American community in particular looks forward to this event and formal dress is strongly encouraged.

Organized groups, such as the International Women’s Association (IWA), also provide an outlet for social activities. This group offers tours, language classes, aerobics, children’s activities and other forums in which to meet people. The IWA fees are inexpensive. Inquire at the CLO upon arrival about joining, and about other inter-Embassy sponsored activities, such as HASH, softball, and the British-sponsored darts evenings.

There are no restrictions on socialization with the local population and many people develop lasting relationships with their Romanian friends. In general Romanians are a very generous, friendly and gracious people. In fact, one may find their hospitality and sense of humor difficult to resist.

High-ranking Embassy officers and their spouses (Ambassador, DCM, military attachés, and first secretaries) can expect a busy official social life here. It is not unusual to participate in official functions several nights a week and, on occasion, to have more than one function a night. Because of the Embassy's relatively small size, lower ranking officers are also often invited to more official functions than expected.

Only high-ranking Embassy officers are usually invited to functions hosted by Romanian Government officials. If invited to an event hosted by the Ambassador, DCM, your section chief, or a prominent diplomatic or Romanian contact, your presence is expected, unless you have a valid reason to decline. In general, Embassy officers are expected to take an appropriately active role in hosting representational functions.

Arrivals of all officers with second secretary and above ranks and military attach‚s are announced in a circular note to the diplomatic community. You should make the rounds on your most important contacts in the Romanian Government and diplomatic community soon after arrival.

Calling cards are widely used. Officers of third secretary rank and above, including the Defense and air attach‚, should have a supply of calling cards. Normally, 200 cards a tour are sufficient, except for the Ambassador and the DCM, who both should have 400. Officers and spouses sometimes find it convenient to bring 100 “Mr. and Mrs.” cards. Below third secretary have no formal calling card requirements, but you may wish to bring some or obtain them at post. You may wish to bring a stock of blank good-quality notecards and envelopes.

U.S. Government employees traveling to Romania on official business should notify the Embassy in advance of their proposed trip. Persons visiting Romania for less than 30 days, traveling on any type of passport, do not require a visa. Stays of more than 30 days require a visa prior to arrival in the country. Visitors who will be in Romania for any period of time should register with the Consular Section. New employees are announced to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by diplomatic note, followed by a request for issuance of a diplomatic identity card (legitimate) and a residence visa.

Post Orientation Program

Post orientation operates through the Sponsor program. The Sponsor is responsible for ensuring that the housing is ready for occupancy before the newcomer arrives and stocking a few basic food items. Sponsors meet and assist new arrivals at the airport, and as necessary, schedule orientation appointments with section heads. Family members are encouraged to attend Embassy briefings where they will become acquainted with the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) and the Bucharest Employee Recreation Association (BERA).

The Welcome Package, which the CLO prepares, contains personnel forms and check-in sheets that assist the newcomer in becoming familiar with the Embassy. City guides and shopping information are also contained in the packet, as well as medical and security information and a comprehensive telephone list, which is critical information to life at post, especially upon arrival. The Welcome Package also has information to ensure that newcomers receive the paperwork necessary to facilitate receipt of shipments, pay, security briefings, etc.

Employees arriving by air are met by their sponsors. Inform the Embassy in advance of your travel plans. If driving to post, provide your itinerary in advance and go directly to the Chancery upon arrival. Several Western airlines (Air France/Delta, KLM/Northwest, Lufthansa/United, Swiss Air, Austrian Air), and all Eastern European airlines service Bucharest through Otopeni International Airport, 20 minutes north of the city center. Planes arrive daily from Frankfurt, Vienna, London, Paris, and Rome. TAROM, the Romanian State airline, has regular weekly service between Bucharest and New York City. TAROM serves most Western European cities as well. Travelers must comply with the "Fly America Act" for official transoceanic journeys.

All official shipments must be consigned to ELSO (contacted through the State Department’s Transportation Division). Although International shipping arrives at the Black Sea ports of Constanta and Galati, the Embassy does not use these ports for official shipments. In addition, these ports receive little passenger traffic.

Bucharest can be reached by land from any direction. The drive can be made comfortably from Budapest in 2 days (12 hours’ driving time) or from Vienna in 2 days (16 hours’ driving time). Bucharest can be reached from the Greek (Sere) or the Turkish border (Erdinne) in 10-12 hours. Employees traveling with small children may need to add an extra day. Roads in Eastern Europe are two-lane, and traffic is moderate to heavy by Western standards. Motorists will encounter heavy truck traffic in the Bucharest vicinity. Encountering slow-moving trucks, tractors, bicycles, motorcycles, and even horse-drawn carts is not unusual. Allow ample time for these inconveniences. Visas are required for transiting Bulgaria. Be sure to have them in order before arriving at the border.

People traveling with diplomatic or official passports must obtain visas in advance from Bulgaria, former members of the Yugoslavian Federation, and Yugoslavia.  Persons traveling on diplomatic passports also need to obtain visas from Greece in advance, but you are not required to indicate the border crossing you will use. These regulations are subject to change, so be sure to check current regulations. Advise post immediately if you encounter any unusual difficulties in obtaining your Romanian visa. After your arrival, the GSO will register your POV locally; arrange for your vehicle's technical inspection; assist you with obtaining third-party liability insurance; and obtain your license plates.

Obtain an international drivers license before driving in Romania. International licenses are available in the U.S. from AAA; applications are available at post as well. You must have a valid U.S. or foreign license and maintain its validity. Have your car’s registration papers and the internationally recognized “green card”   third-party liability insurance (“blue card” for transiting Bulgaria) in order to drive to Post.

Gas stations are available en route, with lead-free gasoline available at most stations. There are few full-service stations (with windshield washing and oil checks). Carry spare belts, etc., for small emergency repairs on the road. Some gas stations are closed in the evening. Winter driving on the Romanian roads is very hazardous and finding safe places to stop can be difficult. Thus, do not plan to drive to Bucharest in winter. Avoid driving in threatening or treacherous weather, no matter how sturdy or well-equipped your car may be.

Caution is strongly advised for evening driving. The roads and most vehicles are poorly lit. People, horse carts, and livestock are often in the middle of the road. Fog is a problem in fall and winter. Highways can be slippery when wet; beware of dirt and mud left by farm vehicles.

International rail connections are available to Bucharest from Western Europe via Budapest and Belgrade, as well as from other Eastern European countries, including Russia. First-class sleepers are available on the Western European runs. Carefully check routes and train changes (if any) before boarding. Holders of diplomatic and official passports might be detained at border crossings in Eastern Europe if visas are not in order. Bring plenty of food and snacks when traveling by car or train in Eastern Europe, especially in Romania. Travelers should be cautious of their personal safety on trains, particularly in the Bucharest train station, Gara de Nord.

Personal airfreight is sometimes slow in arriving, even from points in Western Europe or the U.S. east coast (allow at least 3 weeks). Bring as much as you can in your accompanied baggage, especially seasonal clothing, toiletries, and any special medications. Address airfreight to:

Name
American Embassy
Bucharest, Romania

Please advise the GSO of the planned routing and if your airfreight will contain any special items other than clothing (e.g., electrical items, cameras, jewelry, etc.). Do not ship firearms or ammunition in your accompanied baggage or airfreight.

No special weight limitations exist. Cases should be no larger than 28.3” high by 39” long by 29” wide.  Larger cases will not fit into the doors of the cargoholds of the aircraft landing at Otopeni Airport. Any airfreight that exceeds these dimensions will be shipped by truck.

Contact GSO regarding routing, addressing, and consignments of surface shipments and automobiles sent to Bucharest. To complete customs clearance procedures, send copies of shipping lists to post at least 2 weeks before the goods arrive. Also bring a copy of the airway bill to post. Request that packers provide you notification of shipment when goods are shipped, including proposed arrival date in Bucharest and airway bill number. Inventories of surface shipments must specifically list special items such as art objects, coin and stamp collections, photographic equipment, jewelry, and other unusual or valuable objects.

Route and mark household effects, airfreight, and automobile shipments for DOD personnel according to Vol. II of the Personal Property Consignment Instruction Guide Worldwide.

No special restrictions exist on the size of cases or liftvans brought into Romania. Shipments and automobiles usually arrive in good condition and theft has not been a problem. Insure your shipments and your automobile with the proper amount of transit insurance, however. To avoid personal expense, DOD personnel should ship their automobiles via Gosseline, Belgium.

Personnel may import household effects, foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco products, automobiles, and other items duty free for personal use during their tour of duty. Post regulations do not permit importing arms and ammunition without prior post approval (see Firearms and Ammunition). Also prohibited are explosives and drugs. Official shipments of personal effects for all official personnel are exempt from customs inspections. However, from time to time, customs will spot check a shipment for forbidden items or goods subject to quarantine.

All personal shipments for diplomatic and non-diplomatic personnel must be cleared through customs with 7-10 days needed for approval. The permit is then taken to customs, and goods are cleared within 1-2 days. To expedite clearance when shipments arrive, advise GSO in advance of shipments you are expecting. Airfreight can be cleared most expeditiously if you know your airway bill number. The State Department Transportation Office can provide this information a few days after your airfreight is packed.

Advance copies of an invoice, shipping document, or a copy of your orders will allow the GSO to process your import permit and have it ready when goods arrive. A detailed inventory is required, as well as weight information. Official travelers may fax this information to the General Services Office at 40-1-211-3114.

The Embassy has minimal storage facilities. Shipments should not arrive prior to the employee’s arrival. Shipments are normally held in ELSO, Antwerp until the employee has arrived and is occupying permanent quarters. Since you may spend some time in temporary quarters after arrival, pack airfreight accordingly.

Embassy personnel order personal items in packages through the State Department pouch address in Washington. These packages arrive in diplomatic pouches and are not subject to inspection. However, this should not be used to circumvent Romanian laws and/or Embassy regulations regarding prohibited items. Diplomatic personnel must save all receipts for all items bought during their stay in Romania (especially items of art), whether purchased in Romania or abroad. Submit the receipts to the GSO Shipping and Customs Unit before departure. These receipts are attached to the export inventory presented to Customs. Special formalities are necessary when musical instruments are bought (e.g., pianos and violins). Request a special export approval from the National Patrimony Office several months in advance of shipping, as all such instruments or objects of art must be approved for export by the National Patrimony Office.

Personal belongings and household effects for personnel can be exported duty free. You must have an export permit and export everything within 6 months of the date the export permit was issued.

Automobiles for diplomatic personnel can be imported duty free. Romanian third-party liability insurance costs under $50 per year.

Entering Romania involves minimum formalities for holders of diplomatic passports, and treatment is courteous. Inspections at Otopeni Airport have not been rigorous, but longer and more detailed inspections occur at frontier crossings, especially for holders of official passports.

Bearers of diplomatic and official passports should have their visas in order before arriving at the border. Diplomats receive the courtesy of driving to the front of the line at the border. Immunization records are not checked unless an epidemic or other reason warrants it. Occasionally, when hoof-and-mouth disease is in the region, the border may be closed or traffic restricted, or vehicles are subject to washing/tire bath. Have an international license plate issued by the country of sale for new cars purchased in Europe.

No special regulations restrict incoming baggage. Have a sufficient supply of U.S. dollars or some major Western hard currency with you for exchange purposes when entering the country.

Bring 20 extra passport-size photos for use in obtaining visas if you plan to travel outside Romania.

No regulations restrict importing cats and dogs. Before arrival, pet owners should ensure that their pets are properly immunized and that they have immunization records (primarily rabies vaccine) and health certificate records, certified by a public health authority from the sending country. The health certificate should have been issued within 1 week prior to the animal's departure. Bring or ship any special requirements like heart-worm medicine or special foods. Properly documented animals are cleared quickly through customs. Be sure all pet records are completely up to date before arrival.

Please inform the Administrative Office early if you plan to bring a pet. Do not ship your pet in advance of your own arrival since the post has no boarding facilities. Since local veterinarians do not always have vaccines, make sure your pet has all needed shots before you come. If you anticipate a need for particular medicines, ship a supply or make arrangements with a veterinarian to send additional supplies. Employees are financially responsible for any damage to Embassy housing and furniture caused by pets.

Veterinary clinics are plentiful, although quality of care may vary.  One popular veterinary clinic is open 7 days a week, but it has no emergency service. However, some pet owners have made arrangements with local veterinarians to make home visits. Immunizations for distemper and rabies differ from those used in the West but can be found at local veterinary clinics for administration.

According to local veterinarians, the greatest danger to domestic animals is the active rodent control program instituted by the Romanian Government. Poison is set out regularly, and without notice, especially around garbage areas, resulting in reports of accidental poisonings.

The leu (plural lei) is the official Romanian currency. The tourist and diplomatic exchange rate is fixed by the banks and fluctuates. The National Bank rate is US$1=31,368 lei (November 2001). The rate fluctuates every day and is different from bank to bank; the exchange offices also have different rates.

Notes are issued in 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 50,000, 100,000, and 500,000 lei. Coins in circulation are of 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 lei.

Embassy personnel and dependents buy local currency from the Embassy cashier or at authorized outlets. Do not buy lei from private sources. Many services, including incountry tours, international air and train tickets, certain resort hotels, and dollar shops require hard currency. Major hotels and shops accept international credit cards, but credit card fraud is prevalent. The U.S. dollar is the most commonly known and accepted foreign currency in Romania. The Bucharest Employee Recreation Association accepts U.S. checks for all expenses, including in commissary.

The metric system is used for both weights and measures.

Embassy personnel are exempt from customs duties on their personal effects and POV. Diplomatic personnel may be reimbursed for the value-added tax (up to 22%) paid for all goods and services purchased in Romania. Reimbursement requests are made through the BERA on a quarterly basis.

Personal property can only be imported for personal use. Official permission is required in advance for selling items worth $200 or more. The Mission follows Department regulations regarding the sale of personal property.

You will be better able to appreciate Romanian politics, history, culture, and geography if you read before arrival. In addition to those publications listed below, see any available films about Romania, buy recorded Romanian music, or look for a guidebook. If possible, buy a good Romanian-English, English-Romanian dictionary.

These titles are provided as a general indication of the material published on this country. The Department of State does not endorse unofficial publications.

Burford, Tim and Richardson, Dan. Romania: The Rough Guide (2nd ed.) Rough Guides: 1998.

Georgescu, Vlad. Romania: 40 Years (1944-1984). Praeger Publishers: New York, 1985.

Klepper, Nicolae. Taste of Romania: Its Cookery and Glimpses of Its History, Folklore, Art, Literature, and Poetry (New Hippocrene Original Cook-books). Hippocrene Books: 1999.

Pasti, Vladimir. Romania in Transition: Future Prognoses. East European Monographs, 1997.

Pop, Ioan Aurel. Romanians and Romania: A Brief History. Columbia University Press, 2000.

Ratesh, Nestor. Romania: The Entangled Revolution. Praeger Publishers: New York, 1991.

Rose, Richard. Democracy and Its Alternatives: Understanding Post-Communist Societies. Blackwell Publishers: 1998.

Shen, Raphael. The Restructuring of Romania’s Economy: A Paradigm of Flexibility and Adaptability. Praeger Publishers: Westport, 1997.

Williams, Joyce Hall. A Volunteer in Romania, 1999.

Williams, Nicola and St. Vincent, David. Lonely Planet Romania & Moldova (1st ed.)  1998.

Romania observes only five regularly scheduled holidays:

New Year’s Day	January 1 and 2
Easter Monday	Varies
Labor Day	May 1
National Day	December 1
Christmas	December 25, 26

 
The Embassy is officially closed on these holidays and the American holidays.