When I arrived in Germany, it was exactly like in magazines: beautiful houses, nice shops, and so clean on the streets and sidewalks that I called my mom and told her all about it! I was amazed by how much greenery there is here.
Many believe that in Germany it's 'easy living', but it's not like that. There are many details they don't know. It's very difficult. Those who studied in certain fields fare better, but even so, it's getting harder and harder. Like everywhere else.
Germany is no longer what it once was, for more than 15 years already. Only faith in God, the Mother of God, and Saints sustains us.
I heard someone on a show saying that Romanians in the diaspora are united, but it's not true. Maybe in some places. Or they are united in... small groups. Differences between social classes are always made. Not even those who go to church are united.
Sometimes you feel like fainting from laughter, so you don't start crying.
* * *
I used to live in a crowded city, and now in a village, thank God, because it's peaceful. But you don't see a single Orthodox person around here... Oh dear, how lonely I feel!
Many want to leave big cities, as far away from the noise as possible, for villages, where there is more nature, but houses for rent are no longer available. And when they are found, they are very expensive. Or some are very poorly maintained, dirty, moldy... In some, you find everything beautiful and renovated, but then the mold problem appears shortly after.
Many Romanians want to return to the country, especially those who can return to a good situation ‒ meaning they live in good areas of the country, or at least have a place to live.
Poor people, they think they'll solve something in the West, but very often they end up in a very bad situation! I know someone who kept wanting to go to one country or another, to save some money, but I advised him not to leave Romania, because he could end up in all sorts of ill-reputed gangs. You can see organized theft rings on the street with your own eyes. In some big cities, it's a catastrophe. People are impressed by others, saying they succeeded, saying there couldn't be any problems, but to me, it seems like a fairy tale.
Indeed, some managed to cope. Others accept all sorts of compromises, and I don't judge them, because, poor souls, they are in temptation. Once I wanted to give someone food, I had the possibility to do that every day, but the poor man refused, saying he couldn't accept it. He wanted money. Then I understood he was under supervision, and that's exactly how it was.
To those who still want to leave the country, I would tell them to think about it dozens of times. God will help them somehow even without leaving.
Speaking of that, there was a time when I lived with my mom, and for food, all we had was dry bread and some jam. The money had gone to bills, utilities, etc. Our dog understood and ate a piece of dry bread too. The next morning, Mom went out with the little dog in the park. It was a summer day, very hot, it hadn't rained for a while. And she came back with her lap full of mushrooms. What a miracle! Then I found a job.
I know two qualified people who work in nursing homes, they are exhausted ‒ he's German, she's Romanian, both Orthodox. The elderly prefer them because they put their heart into their work. But she would like to return home... and, thank God, she has a place to go. Let's hope he will want to too. Anyway, I think it's known that Germans, and English, and Americans are moving to Romania... how cool!
I also know a doctor who left Germany because he couldn't stand the schedule anymore, unless he was a robot.
Anastasia
Photo by Photo by Gerzon Piñata / pexels.com