The optimism disappeared from Romania

Some survey conducted in various Eastern European countries revealed that from all places, only in Romania did optimism disappear.

It's a strange notion...to disappear! In a way it's not shocking given the first few weeks I spent here. Most people call insane my return and even the closest and more positive among my friends give a potential professional future no chance. Why? Those who manage to work here seem to have no choice but to deal with corruption daily, in every transaction, for every move they need to make. Things that could be simple and straightforward are not.

Now why? Why does it work this way when 21 years passed since things started changing? Could it be, like someone recently explained to me, that the change happened only on the superficial level but not in people's mindsets and attitudes? I am intrigued as I often am when I can't find an explanation for Romania being the only Latin state in this part of the world or for the unity of language and culture despite the regional separation that existed for centuries before 1918. Mysteries, puzzles...

I also wonder if my optimism will disappear while being here or if my head in the clouds will save me?