When a regime changes, the iconography of its ideology tends quickly to be brushed away. Careful observation turns up relics of the communist era, however, throughout Romania. I spotted this curious socialist-realist mural on a factory wall in Cluj-Napoca earlier this week. The factory office complex now houses, amongst other tenants, the regional veterinary office. 
I have now twice been 160km (100 miles) each way to the veterinary centre to get some cats and dogs microchipped and vaccinated. Of course, this being Romania, mistakes were made. So we have to visit a third time to get the animals re-vaccinated. Yes, that is three visits in a week when one would have been enough. Then, after several weeks more weeks have passed, we need to visit a fourth time for fresh blood tests. The inefficiency, waste of time, and needless miles driven are incredibly annoying, as well as stressful on the animals who spend ten hours in the car on each trip.
Somehow, I can see why people don't mind seeing a symbol of the old communist regime standing over them daily at their place of work. The bureaucracy and waste, the enforced subservience to rules and paperwork, are not a million miles away from the old regime.
The wall that carries the mural has had new windows fitted lately. Yet, even when there were workmen out there, no-one pulled the socialist figure down. There he is, Big Brother, telling us that time passes and regimes with it, and we are still insignificant.
I think I'd be bald if I lived there. All that inefficiency would cause me to tear my hair out. lol
Posted by: risingrainbow | March 08, 2008 at 01:09 AM
I hope you're not leaving the country Julian:) Had a weird feeling hearing you would microchip and run blood tests on the animals (rabies titres??). They would be the first ones in Lunca Ilvei to have such, I am certain of that much!
Greetings from the Caymans,
Andreea
Posted by: andreika | March 08, 2008 at 01:16 AM
I hope you're not leaving the country Julian:) Had a weird feeling hearing you would microchip and run blood tests on the animals (rabies titres??). They would be the first ones in Lunca Ilvei to have such, I am certain of that much!
Greetings from the Caymans,
Andreea
Posted by: andreika | March 08, 2008 at 01:16 AM
wow-that is a lot of driving for your poor animals! yikes, your not leaving.........?
Posted by: BarnGoddess | March 08, 2008 at 11:43 PM