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Cotroceni, Dr. Manolescu Street in 5 minutes.
Cotroceni, Dr. Manolescu Street in 10 minutes.
Cotroceni, Dr. Manolescu Street in 15 minutes.
Cotroceni, Dr. Manolescu Street. Anyone?
Manolescu, 12 minutes.
O.K. 271, No. 4 Manolescu Street, Mr. Tibi.
Two cars at Cina restaurant. The coaches from Spain just arrived.
Three minutes. I'm on Doamnei Boulevard.
O.K. 855. Anyone else?
Taxi, sir?
- Are you free? - Yes, of course. Let me help you!
That's heavier.
- You want to sit on the back seat? - Yes.
God, it's crowded! Did you all have to go out now?
- Where are you coming from? Spain? - Yes, from Madrid.
Do you work there?
Yes.
Alone?
No, we are more, but we don't work together.
I only speak Romanian when I'm home.
Did you see the lights they put in town this year?
Yes, they're nice. Those of last year were nice too.
Blue and yellow, that is the EU flag.
There are also little stars on. We only strive to kiss the EU's ass.
And what did you say you were doing?
- I'm working in constructions. - I've graduated the Polytechnics too.
We're a bunch of engineers! And do you work in constructions in Spain?
Yes, there too. I've also worked in Germany, Israel...
I've been all over the world!
We work where we can. Wherever we find a job, right?
My brother left for the US five years ago.
I haven't heard from him. Who knows what he's been doing.
That's it! I'm leaving this year too!
I sent my papers, now I'm waiting for the approval.
But if we integrate, I won't even wait for it,
I'll just leave and won't care about anything.
- How long have you been there? - Where, in Madrid? Nine months.
I have a working license. I'll go back after the holidays.
So you've come home for the holidays. Very nice.
Do you have kids?
Yes, two. A boy and a girl. Both of age. Do you?
I have two. Both boys. One is 12, the other 14.
- They'll soon be grown-ups. - I won't even recognize them soon.
Tell me about it! I have a nephew and I only saw him three times.
Well... that's life! People must work, right?
- One must make sacrifices. - That's true.
But you see, that's how I support my family. Right?
- And your wife? - She's at home.
She used to be a teacher, now she is medical retired.
Yours?
She's working in a boutique. That's her!
She's working her guts out, poor soul!
But when I leave, that's it! She won't need to work so much.
They really did a good job!
Let me light a cigarette.
Home sweet home.
Do you know the price of cigarettes in EU? God!
They steal a lot too. We've taught them!
Just wait and see the taxes they'll impose when integrated.
Sons of bitches! Same wages but EU's taxes!
Shouldn't one leave? Tell me, shouldn't one?
At least one makes money there and also send some home.
I've read somewhere that Romania's budgetary deficit is covered
by the money we send in the country. Around two billions Euros every year.
See? Now the integration is coming.
Well, at least we are going to integrate.
We've finally found our place after all those communism years.
Listen to those? We are not in Europe.
Where are we then, in Africa?
Boy it's good speaking Romanian!
Hey! What do you want? Move on! Move on!
Spain is full of Romanian beggars.
Well... that's life. People live better there even on begging.
That one said "May you live well". They went there to live well.
- He never said where. - And they make us a bad reputation!
If I say I'm a Romanian at the subway, they almost kick me out.
If I say I'm Polish...
I'll turn right, the passage it's crowded as hell at this hour!
God, you won't see this traffic even in Madrid.
Can you imagine it when it's raining?
Bucharest changed a lot lately. Look at all those cars, those shops.
Yes, it did but they did nothing about it.
It's full of cars and the streets are the same.
It used to take ten minutes from Berceni to Baneasa.
Now I'm lucky if I get there in an hour.
It's good people can afford to buy a car.
Now they've come up with this new Highway Code!
Cross the continuous line, points down, cross the railway points down,
block the intersection, points down.
At 15 points down they take away your driving license.
It's O.K. They did something about it.
Take away their license if they drive irresponsibly.
Fine for illegally parking.
O.K. Man, where should one park then? On the tree?
They can't even make a proper parking lot.
- Didn't they set up the Unirii one? - That one?
Do you know what the tax for an hour is? 30,000 lei.
I'm not paying. What am I, stupid?
I'm sorry, why didn't we go that way? That was the short way.
Oh! Didn't you know? They're working on the railway.
This way I'll be home on New Year's Eve.
We'll be in time, relax. Look at this traffic!
They all came home for the holidays.
I guess your family is waiting for you.
Yes, they haven't seen me for a long time.
Thought so... So, you brought presents to your kids?
Yes, everyone, of course. Nephews too.
Very nice! They'll be happy.
And they're waiting for you for dinner?
Yes, of course. I can hardly wait to go home to eat sarmale (meat-rolls)
And stuffed sweet peppers, home-made food.
I bet you do.
I didn't even left the country and I can hardly wait to eat some.
You certainly do!
Here, turn right.
That's the block of flats.
I'm sorry, I'll have to go up for a moment, I've only got Euros.
- Or I should better call my wife. - No problem.
Let me close the car and I'll help you with your luggage.
Here?
- No, not there. Here. - I thought...
- Welcome back! - Glad to see you!
Hello! How are you? Did you travel well?
As usual.
As always.
Where is Costi?
Ah, he's at the gym with the boys. Vlad, Alex...
Well, good for him!
Uncle Misu came back and brought me presents!
Yes, please help with me these.
- What did you bring me? - You'll see on Christmas Eve!
Honey, put those in the dining room.
Please give me 250,000 lei to pay the cab.
I've only got Euros and...
I talked to the administrator and he won't take you out of the rates list.
He says he doesn't know much time you spend home.
- Yes, OK, we'll see about that. - What do you want to eat?
There's some chicken left and I can cook some French fries.
Thank you for helping me with the luggage.
No, thank you.
Well, then... Merry Christmas! Good luck with those papers!
Ah, right, thanks.
And if you ever come to Madrid see you there.
- Well... come what may! - Good bye!
- Merry Christmas! - Merry Christmas!