Romania is a very interesting place. The architecture is quite beautiful, but definitely in need of repair and a good scrubbing. The landscape is very green. There is pollution due to the factories and cars, but no worse than a lot of US cities. I do need to filter the water, EPA values have not hit here, but it’s starting. The people are very friendly and always offering lots of food and plum brandy. They are true hosts. For anyone on Atkins, you’d be in pig heaven – lots of eggs, butter and pork. All the cakes are soaked in liquor. The women are very pretty and fashion forward. The fashion channel is the most popular station here. I don’t think the language will be too difficult to pick up as long as I don’t mix in Spanish or Italian, which are very similar. fifty dollars makes me a rich woman here. It’s 33,000 lei to one US dollar, so I am sporting around a million and a half for pocket change. I have not started my business development work, I am just in the training period. I have to head back to dinner so take care and i’ll write again soon. vicki