Recently I’ve been trying to interview more and more people and I’m so happy with how many people have been open to sharing their stories with me and others. I feel like I’ve been able to learn so much from people that I’d not get a chance to learn otherwise! One of the first people to recently allow me to interview them is Catalina who I work with at The LEGO Group, we recently met in a Cafe in London to go other some aspects of their life!
Romania
Who are you and where are you from?
Most people at work know me as Catalina Azamfiri, I’m married, I’m a mother to a 7 year old boy, I’m a colleague I’m a friend! I’m a lot of things!, almost 37 years old and I’m currently Pregnant too!
I work for the LEGO Group which is how we met! I’m from the Banat region of Romania which is in the west of the country and not far from the borders with Serbia and Hungary.
What was it like living and growing up in that area?
I loved my city, If I go back to Romania I’d probably move to a bigger city where I studied which was Timişoara but from all the places where I’ve lived my Husband would love to live in my home city Reşița which is quite small and located in the mountains, it has beautiful views, kind people and feels very safe even today.
It’s interesting because lots of people my age left the country around the time I did but we still meet up back in my home city or the surrounding area like we’re drawn to it. What I loved about growing up there was that as a child it was safe to walk around outside, your parents wouldn’t worry about where you were everything was also close by.
What are some things about Romania that stand out to you?
The food! But also people I find are really kind there as I mentioned. I know that most other countries where Romanian people move to they have this reputation of being maybe mean or something like that but whenever someone comes and visits Romania they also say how warm, friendly and welcoming the local people are.
Of course we have people that are not like that too though. I think it’s a great destination for tourists and you’ve mentioned wanting to go too. I think the way of life there is different to England, the freedom you have and the culture.
You mentioned food stood out to you, could you talk about some of the local food or recipes that come to mind?
We do have different dishes but a traditional one is Sarmale which are stuffed cabbage rolls. For Romanians any public holiday will have Sarmale included in the celebration meal. Another that stands out is a sweet pastry called Papanasi, we also love beans! Not like British baked beans though these are cooked in a bread roll.
Is there a particular part of Romanian culture or the country that you feel people do not know about?
Yes, I think people believe the country is very poor which is not the case, it’s also not such a ‘bad’ country. I think when people think about Romania they think of the Romani gypsies. So whenever you say you’re from Romania I feel some people think I am like that. I wish people would come to my country and discover it for themselves.
I think it’s becoming a more popular destination not just in Bucharest but Transylvania and elsewhere for some of our many festivals. Romania actually has the biggest building in the world in the capital, the Palace of Parliament! It was built back during the communist times.
I see a lot of travel Youtubers going to these kind of destinations these days and it’s certainly interesting to me.
Yes I would say the country is a hidden gem, especially on the mountain side in areas like Sinaia, Buşteni, where there of lots of castles. We used to have a monarchy so there is a lot of history there.
You touched upon this briefly but in terms of people misconceptions about Romanian people being Romani, could you unpack why there is this confusion?
Yes, they have their own culture, traditions and language and they do not come from Romania. From what I know they come originally from India and the surrounding areas years ago as a nomadic people. There are many examples of people like this in Spain, Portugal and elsewhere too.
We do have a large population in Romania and I think their way of life can make some people feel they are ‘mean’ or not following the rules but this is not necessarily the case, I have friends of Roma descent. In the past these people were very useful in society and did many roles like manual work for example and helping build. But the confusion you mention mostly comes from the name.
You mentioned tourism seems to be on the rise and you’ve suggested a few locations that are helping with the popularity but is there anywhere you would suggest to visit?
I think people are very interested in Transylvania which I’d recommend, specifically Sinaia to see Peleș Castle. There is also an amazing place to drive on the Transfăgărășan which is a mountain road, they drove on it in one of the Top Gear specials years ago.
We also have the Untold Festival which is a huge electronic music festival in Cluj-Napoca, that many people come to the country for. I think Romania doesn’t really advertise itself much and I feel most travellers prefer more resort locations.
Are there any Romanian authors, movies or other media you’d recommend?
What I’m familiar with isn’t contemporary really but it’s what I read in High school and most Romanians would know them such as Mihai Eminescu which is our most popular author who we celebrate every December. I do feel with Romanian literature it is hard to translate it into English, you can do it but I feel it misses some of the feeling because there may be no direct translation for something.
We also have Ion Luca Caragiale or Tudor Arghezi too who I’d recommend. I do think it’s good to look into authors who are not from your own country though!
Do you think you would return to live in Romania?
I do, currently we are in-between in that we are a bit like nomads, we’ve lived in a few places it just so happens to be that England is where we are now . We would like to go back but it depends what is going on in my life, my son is at school and I have a baby coming soon. In Romania I do find the schools are stricter and it’s a different system of learning so I wouldn’t want my son to go to school there currently because it may be hard to adjust, also he is learning great skills here that will benefit him in the future like speaking English and gaining less of an accent, I’d worry he may lose his English accent if we moved back.
Greece and meeting your partner
You’ve mentioned to me that you’ve spent some time in Greece which I believe links to your feeling of being a Nomad! where was that and for how long?
In Romania we have a work and travel program through University, this is usually during the summertime and is used to exchange cultures. You find work through an agency and go and work in places like a Hotel for a few months, with accommodation and things taken care of.
I went in my first year of University, I was meant to go to Corfu and Rhodes but there was a struggle to find a place. A week before I was due to go I actually found a place in Crete, it was destiny. I worked in a Hotel and went back every summer pretty much.
During University time I went as a student but after I entered full time work I’d return as a tourist.
Did you meet your Husband there?
Yes I did! This was during a time where I went for six months, and I was going to use it as my ‘last summer’ there before earning enough money to go to England. It was 12 years ago that my husband arrived two days after me, we met and then were together, we got engaged after three months of being there.
We worked in the same place at this time but I was in the Beach bar and he was in the Restaurant, our times didn’t match but we tried to spend time together as much as we could.
What was it like working there?
I really enjoyed it, that’s why I always went back. At the same time as working there I learnt so much being there, I learnt about the Greek Culture and also our similarities as our main religion in both countries is Orthodox Christian so we had many of the same celebrations. We made so many friends in Greece too, everyone is so warm and kind.
I think working and living in a country in general rather than coming as a tourist you will be able to get a different perspective. I feel like Greece is the only country where I never felt looked down on or any kind of discrimination against me.
What experience there stands out for you?
It would have to be my engagement. This moment showed me that so many people really cared about me because my Husband arranged it in a way that was a big surprise and involved all of our friends.
While the cultures are quite similar Is there a particular part of the culture there you like or want to emulate?
I think we are different in terms of hospitality because most locations there are by the ocean and I do think the service is generally better there, people will really go out of their way to help you. Other than that, the food is pretty different, I wish Romania had seafood like this!
You’ve mentioned you return quite often, what is it about Greece that brings you back?
My memories and my friends. People I met there are like a family to me and these days because I have a child I’m a bit more picky where I’d like to travel. Because I know people in Greece I feel safe, I know where everything is and I can easily plan what to do. I would say it’s like my second home out there, I just feel so comfortable.
Would you move back there if you could?
We actually planned to in the future to buy a home there as a holiday home primarily. I don’t think we’d live there in the wintertime as most things are closed outside of the city of Chania so there is not a lot to do, I’d also need to know Greek fluently If I really wanted to work out there.
Was there anywhere in Greece you were unable to visit that you’d love to go to?
Santorini for sure but at the moment it wouldn’t be possible to go with children.
Life in the UK and knowing more about you
I’ll move on to your current location! What made you and your partner want to move to the UK and when was that?
My Husband moved because I wanted to move here! When I was younger I visited London and I loved it as a tourist, so when I worked in Greece it was to be able to afford starting my life in England, it just so happened that I met my Husband and I told him my plans are not changing but he was open to moving with me.
Do you feel welcome in the UK as a Romanian?
No… at least not in the beginning. I never studied English learnt it from TV and things like that and also, I learnt a lot while I was in Greece. When I moved here I learnt how Racism and those kinds of things work. For example, I applied for a hotel job and was told I wasn’t going to be hired because I was Romanian.
So I had to go through an agency in the end and ended up working in a different hotel, it wasn’t a good first impression. I still feel it in some places now, like there is some distance between myself and white British people…. Of course this is not everyone but I do feel it at times.
Do you feel part of the wider Romanian community in the UK?
No, I don’t look to just be around Romanians, I don’t go to any events for festivals locally, I enjoy being integrated into a multicultural society and being friends with everyone.
Do you feel you’ve both adapted to UK life?
Yes, because I’m still here after 11 years and I work here. However, I don’t have the same traditions, I don’t feel British I am Romanian.
Your Son was born here and is seven years old, do you think if you asked him he would say he feels British?
No, he knows he is Romanian. He speaks Romanian with us, but he speaks English often too due to his school and friends. He was born half a year before we obtained residency in the UK so he doesn’t have certain things linked to him from the UK. Whereas when my baby is born they would have more ‘rights’ in that sense.
Is there a part of life here that you much prefer to Romania
Yes, access to everything and the level of technology. Here you can do everything online but in Romania it is a little bit behind in that respect. For example Amazon next day delivery is so easy to do here but in Romania some companies offer it but it’s a much higher cost.
I do think Romania is catching up for cities but there is a lot of countryside etc that is quite a bit behind in terms of technology and access, also the country has a past of communism which I feel delayed our growth in these areas and kept a few people living in the past.
Is there something you feel is missing in the UK that Romania has?
The freedom, I feel like so much time is lost in the UK due to travelling to work etc, everyone is exhausted and the work life balance in general is not so good. In Romania it is better, you have more freedom to spend your time and it’s not just on the weekends. I also love that wherever you are in Romania there are nice places to go take a walk or be in nature, I live in London and I don’t feel like I can do that.
How did becoming a parent change your life?
Completely, I’m not me first anymore I’m mum first, but it’s so rewarding and fun. I’m lucky that I have a very strong connection with my son too, I can still do the tings I did before I just have to adapt, of course it’s not easy but it’s an amazing experience.
I feel so loved by my son and I love him too.
Do you have any advice for people raising a child in the UK?
Hang in there! It’s so hard to have a family in the UK especially in London. The financial side is crazy even if you earn a lot. You both need to be in work really, which reduces the family time a lot. Just take it step by step really is all I can say.
What is something you wish more people knew about you?
I don’t really have something to share, I’d rather be known. I want people to learn about me or ask me something, I guess I struggle to sell myself so maybe this interview is a good way to share! If you see me in person you can ask me anything, get to know me and do that with people in general, don’t be afraid to ask questions to anyone!
I wanted to thank Catalina for her time and giving some really insightful answers to these questions! I truly feel like I learned a lot about her and I really resonate with her last statement which is why I do this blog, I want people to be asked or be able to share their stories and I think we all should be a bit braver in getting to know others. Please do have a read of my other interviews and posts if you can I’ve got plenty more on the way! If you’d like to donate to this page too, feel free!
Interviews With You! By Lewis Jane 
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