Big Beautiful Bucharest

Athens was awesome and I must admit that I was sad to leave.  I wanted to stay and see the football (soccer) game with Turkey on Saturday and celebrate Greek Independence Day on Sunday.  Just one more weekend...

But Bucharest called...and I gladly answered.  This was by far the most interesting city of the trip.   

Our group make up changes with each new city we visit.  In Bucharest I was with Shyam Reddy of Atlanta, David Ruiz of Cleveland, Ellen Kackmann of New York, and Chad Stevens of Washington DC. 

Bucharest is the largest city in Romania.  Romania is a lot like North Carolina in that it has a coast to the east (on the Black Sea) and mountains to the west.   Bucharest is much like Raleigh in that is a few hours from both. 

Romania was gripped by communism and controlled by the USSR during the cold war.  Today it is embracing democracy and the market economy.  I believe the national symbol for Romania is the crane as there was one on virtually every street corner building something new. 

Bucharest is a city of extremes. It is growing very rapidly and learning as it develops its systems, parties, and norms as a free market democracy.  As such, there is great wealth and poverty.  There are beautiful buildings and dramatic slums.  There is unbridled energy and a longing for the old ways.  Bucharest is in transition. 

The momentum is tangible, undeniable...palpable really.  I'm not on the chamber, but if I were my suggested slogan would be, "Invest in Bucharest" as there is a wealth of opportunity. 

Our hostess for the program was Liana Popa.  Larry the Cable Guy would love Liana 'cause she can definitely get-r-done.  Liana made it happen and we had some of the highest level meetings of any city yet. 

On our first evening we met with a journalist for a .com venture and a recovering journalist working with the US State Department.   The internet will play a crucial role in Romanian politics as it provides a plurality of voices unlike any other medium.  On Saturday we visited the Peles Castle of Prince Carol I.  It was magnificent...

I've posted some picts...check em out...