Dear Americans,

you have just arrived in one of the poorest countries in Europe. You have been warned by your official representatives in our country to take certain caution measures in order to avoid the dangers that awaits for you here, at the end of Europe. Unfortunately, those warnings have not been accurate enough. Let me tell you some more information, that your officials forget to mention.

The street children:
In Romania, the street children, who are not responsabile for being abandoned by their parents of by their society, try to find themselves a shelter in the subways, especially during the winter season. They may look and behave apparently aggresive but if you try to look deeper into their eyes you will see they are still nothing more than hungry, helpless, children. Do not carry with you defense weapons (by the way, in Romania, weapons are not allowed for civilians) because you could create more trouble. I would recommend to carry with you some food, to give them if they ask. A "double cheese" would be just fine.

Street dogs:
It's true that there are a lot of street dogs in Bucharest. The most of them are sick, scared and avoid human contact. It's true that a minority of them, sometimes, becomes aggressive. But trust me, they are far less dangerous than the teenagers massacrating kids in the american high-schools just for fun. If they become aggresive, a piece of hamburger will work just as well. Tip: Rather beware of private owned pets, like pit-bulls or rotwaillers. With them, some food will not work at all.

Traffic:
Yes, in Bucharest (not Romania) the traffic is not like in Switzerland, Finland or America. But it’s not as chaotic as Naples (southern Italy, I know geography is not your strong point) or India. There are some who drive very fast, drunk, breaking the speed limit and killing innocent people. One of them was your fellow citizen, US Army officer Robert Cristopher Van Goethem, who only lost his army degrees for killing two in car crash in Bucharest and never faced the Romanian justice. Just because you are americans and our government is too weak.
The Romanian roads are bad, it’s true. They cannont compare with your high-ways. But to affirm that all the roads in Romania are just an offroad countryside track, is like saying that all 50 american states are, in fact, 50 villages of a bulgarian district.

Food:
No one has been reported to have been infected with avian flu virus in Romania. That’s because we use to cook food before eatying it. Don’t you ? So, do not become hysteric. Just cook the food.
And if you fear local restaurants, there will always be a Mc’D of a KFC nearby. But, remember, they are still romanians who prepare the food in-there !

Night life and pickpockets:
Remember that Bucharest is a 2,5 mil inhabitants city. So, there is a lot of bad people out there who will try to take advantage of you. However, this city is far from being famous for its criminality. Be just as cautios as you are back home or in every other foreign place. But, again, do not be hysteric, no one will put a gun in the face just to steal your wallet. And, just in case, call 112. We have a Police, too.
Regarding the pickpockets and other criminals, we don’t have to tell you what to do. Just act and behave as you do back home. I suppose you have criminals in US, too, isn’t it ?

Welcome to Romania and have a nice time !!

MT, someone who tried twice to win the US visa lottery.