Romania: more than Nadia and Dracula

Romania just joined the European Union in 2007. With the big push to gain entry (and the associated requirements to meet), it seems they are struggling with the next steps in their development. US AID is pulling out this year and moving investments to even more eastern countries, there's a lack of NGOs, the public is disengaged (thanks largely to communist rule the ended in 1989) and public officials aren't trusted with their high levels of corruption. Yet there are visible signs of progress contrasting the old with the new such as horse drawn working wagons parallel to very expensive cars (which are everywhere), and tenement style gray concrete housing -- which the majority in Bucharest live in -- side by side with mushrooming banks and financial centers. But again, considering the horror stories from authoritarian president Ceausescu just 20 years ago, the progress seems significant to this American.

More Rome photos

Pantheon -- just one block from our hotel.

Smart Cars everywhere.

Chestnuts roasting with the Spanish Steps in the background.

Our wonderful city coordinator, Flavia Liberati. A highlight was meeting her and going out the last night for dinner and drinks. She and her fiance, Antonio, ended up giving us a 3am tour of their favorite spots in Rome by auto.