Romania: What the hell happened??
Predictably, a lot of people either hated–or were deeply offended by–the Romania show. Most, I gather, are either Romanian or have traveled to Romania and had a better time there than I did. Quite understandably, no one wants to see the host of a travel show having a bad time of it in their country, griping miserably about how things went wrong–and how utterly fucked up things were.
But the fact is:
Things WERE fucked up. My Russian pal, Zamir, who had helped make such good shows in Russia and Uzbekistan, was definitely NOT a good choice to show me around Romania. I think, if nothing else, we made that explicitly clear.
The “Motel Dracula” was, in fact, just as bad a time as it looked. Maybe we fucked up picking that spot as something to cover. Though it’s certainly representative of a resurgent, Dracula-based tourist industry. What we DID show you, at least, was exactly how awful it was–and how unhappy I was to be part of such a bogus scene.
The scene at Vlad The Impaler’s statue in Bucharest was not atypical of the kind of “cooperation” and last-minute shakedowns we found whenever we tried to shoot at a “typical” everyday restaurant.
Even WITHOUT cameras, looking just for a relaxed meal, we’d often enter a near empty restaurant, ask if a table was available–and have the waiter tell us “No” in the surliest of terms. WITH cameras–asking if we could shoot was an invitation to either an instinctive “NO” or an invitation to gouging. As waiters and hosts it seems, work on salary–rather than tips, no one really seemed to care about more business, promoting their business or even making more money. People are still uncomfortable in general about being filmed. Understandable, given Romania’s history that many would be reluctant to have their picture taken–as this rarely led to anything good back in the bad old days.
But to describe Romania as particularly friendly? Not really. I’ve been all over the world. Over 50 countries. On the friendly scale? Romania not exactly in the top 40. The food–on camera, off camera? Didn’t matter. It was mostly pretty primitive. Soups may taste good–but they don’t make interesting television. I could lie. But I ain’t gonna.
Which is really what it’s all about, isn’t it? Should I–when faced with a show that’s clearly going wrong–as far as depicting good times and good food–do my best to LIE about it? Put on my best, tightest smile and slog through an hour, yammering a lot of utter bullshit about what a great time I’m having and how good the food is and how friendly the people? You can see that on every other travel and food show. Or get it straight from the tap–at the Tourist Board. This show never pretended to have any responsibility to show the “best” of any place–or the “top ten” of anything. Or to even be diplomatic. I, me, Anthony Bourdain went to Romania. I made some bad decisions. And this is the show I came back with. At the end of the day? That’s what happened. That’s what it felt like. Period. Frankly? I think it’s a pretty funny show.
I have been to romania as well. On the same trip stayed in vienna, Austria and wow what a difference. In romania, the driving was scary (in a taxi down the curvy tiny rocky streets and every one headed towards us at 60mph) the food was mmm, good for something new. the restaurants were stuffy and i was there for missions work. The sad thing is the racism still there against the gypsys. we helped them and i saw first hand how they were treated. lower than dirt and the animals as i saw in one comment that continually get hit in the road. its sad.. the nazi attitude towards people in their country for being the slightest bit tanner in my opinion. great people great personality and its a fucking shame that is still going on.. romania is not on my list of countries to go back and visit. really. and btw gettin in the damn country sucked too… who wants to be woken up to guns in their face to look at them so they can compare me to my passport. but hey i guess instead of complaining… i just dont go. this was also in 2007 so hey who knows.. maybe things have changed.. i dont know.
Hahaha poor gipsies right? You ignorant man! They are so great at being victims, except when they rape our daughters and have us live in fear. Yes we hate them because they are evil. Unless you live with them keep your opinion to yourself. Thank you
cheap show all around
Tony is just a chef. Everything is on the run these days. Easy come – easy go.
Yo wassup with you? food in romania is "primitive"? Then tell us how are the Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Fries called out here in states, big time "Junk Food" ! (that's the way is called on tv or else). These days most of the restaurants you go the food is microwave re/heated, hygiene is very poor with high risks getting food poison! Gimme a brake.
Well said
100€ / square meter? priceless
)))
I am sorry you had an unpleasant experience in Romania. I wonder what you expected to see / find? We are no saints and maybe we are even primitives, certainly not so, how should I put it, "enlighten" perhaps, as you Americans are. I can accept objective critics but you are a festival of prejudices and poor planning. Pity!
I hit the breaking point with your show and I'm forced to write to you. Romania is known for Dracula and blah blah blah. Why didn't anyone do research and see that they boarder the Black Sea? Go back and visit Constanta . Food around there is so good. There is so much to do around there. The night life is something amazing with bars on the beach and one bar with no ceiling that has live shows with fire bursting every were. To do a show in Transylvania does no credit to the people of Romania as you have stated that are displeased with you.
Love it.
St Maxime Villa is a luxurious locale largely due to the fishing.
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I'm from romania too…I watched the show..The guy made some bad choices,zamir was hilarious but not at all a good tour guide ,but Anthony at least is man enough to admit it and say his sincere opinoin on the whole experience.It sucked for him.So what?The show was fun to watch ahyhow.
P.S: Anthony, you should still come back for a tour with a more competent guide.Noroc!
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I love ur show. I'm waiting for u to come back with an more interesting giude, and to have some decent romanian meals. And u shouldn't go just to bucharest or other famous city from romania… u shoul try Maramures. Their are very friendly and can give u a meal to remember…..
Same here!
You started the show on some dead back street…No action…Showed the first district with the streets tore up, and went to one place up in the mountains that showed some silly bad Hotel party…I been to the country 7 times in the last 5 years…Man did you miss the good stuff…Even a Swarma from a local street vender is better eats than the Mincie…In Bucharest you did not even show the good parts…There is much more to see than some barred up windows…It is a beautiful country…Your show made it look like some run down hole good only for a horrible time…If you look for crap, you end up with crap…Cheap is cheap…You got what you paid for…Go to La Mamma Cafe next time for dinner…They are very very good. Then go to Constanta in Summer to the beach…Enjoy the Best Eastern Beach in Europe.
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