The beginning of March is a good time to be in Romania if you’re female. I particularly like the tradition of Martisor - on 1st March, to celebrate the beginning of spring, the men in your life, personal or professional, give you a small token with a red and white plaited thread for strength and health during the year. This you pin to your clothes or wrap around your wrist, either for the day or for the week.
The attached links describe the history of this charming tradition.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%83r%C5%A3i%C5%9For
http://www.meetromania.info/uk_martisor.html
There are other sites but they seem to be linked to the internet sex trade selling on-line dates with “beautiful Romanian women”. One step away from trafficking if you ask me. And does anyone actually believe that there are beautiful Romanian women at the other end of the mouse anyway waiting to chat to these sad, pathetic men? Time for a reality check, chaps…
But that won’t spoil my mood today. When Martisor coincides as it did this year with a sunny day, temperatures of about 18C, and the first signs of the tulips breaking through the wasteland of your garden, you feel empowered to do anything. But this isn’t all. Next comes 8th March, Women’s Day. This may have its roots in Communism but I dare any woman to say she’s not invigorated when a bouquet of roses arrives at the front door. Men in Romania may have a long way to go to become “new men” but for a short while at least, they can be forgiven.
So this Sunday, I’m armed with my martisor around my wrist, my flowers are brightening up the living room, the sun is still shining, temperatures are set to top 18C today and it’s time to hit the garden and get planting. Roses, bourgainvillea, vines, fruit trees – all these grow fantastically well here. And on a day like this, reading of storms about to hit UK, you forget the hassle of driving to work, the dust and rubbish everywhere, the frustrations of the bureaucracy, and you remember why you love Romania.
