Cotroceni, Monday afternoon, serenity. Carol Davila Street is full of evergreen trees, a pleasure to stroll among the houses with distinctive architecture, laden with history. I arrive at number 93 and a cheerful face welcomes me alongside a very friendly dog that jumps into my arms right from the door. This is H OM Eproject, where I found Uca and Dan along with the charming Polka.
H OM Eproject is above all a state of mind. Officially it's a hostel, but it's definitely more than that. Imagine a large living room where friends from all over the world come and feel at home, forgetting cultural and linguistic barriers. I spoke with Uca who shared the story of H OM Eproject.
Tell us a little about yourself, what projects you have realized, what inspires you, what motivates you?
I always find it hard to talk about myself. It's like I can't find the words, which is somewhat contradictory to my experience as a journalist and communicator.
I arrived in Bucharest about 10 years ago, I graduated from a journalism faculty and a master's degree in communication, during which time I also worked one job after another: from waitress, to web editor, then editor for a glossy magazine, internship at the British Council and at M NA C, PR for some NGO projects, until I finally found professional stability as chief editor at Orasul Meu, an online and mobile going-out guide.
Stability which I eventually gave up for H OM Eproject. Inspiration and motivation are always found in the people around me, in life experiences, in travels, in nature, and most intensely, in music and art.
What is the concept behind H OM Eproject?
I envisioned H OM Eproject on the idea of an open house: a hostel-home open to both guests from the country or abroad, as well as Bucharest residents looking for an oasis of relaxation at the end or beginning of a busy day of work and life in the capital.
We live at H OM Eproject, together with our dog, Polka, which completes the concept of home away from home for anyone who crosses our threshold.
Tell me a little about what was the trigger for this project, where did the idea come from? Is it something that has been brewing over time or has it appeared more recently in your plans?
H OM Eproject appeared naturally in my life. After all the life experiences mentioned above, I felt the need to settle down, to start a project of my own. My boyfriend and I were planning to move somewhere to a house, something we had been longing for for several years.
And we said to ourselves, since we are taking this step anyway, why not rent a larger house and open it up to others as well, especially since we love meeting people so much, talking, sharing experiences. From there to the idea of a hostel was just one step.
