You are currently in 4-4/Columns  

My first impressions of Hungary were . . . well, I remember thinking that it was dirty, especially when we walked into a grocery store where the floors were a lot less than spotless. But it was all kind of hazy. We were jet-lagged and walking around didn’t exactly help.

 

Plus, I was only twelve. I didn’t really know about Europe, especially Hungary, and wasn’t sure what to expect.

 

But my older cousin, who is visiting my family for a few weeks, has a much better memory of his first impressions of Hungary.

 

So I decided to ask five basic questions and compare my answers with his.

 

1. Which state would you say Hungary is most like?

Jaime: My dad said it would be like the Midwest (weather-wise), but it doesn’t seem as extreme. It’s not as mild as the Northwest, with lower temperatures and not quite as much rain. So I think it might be like an extreme-weather and more populated Oregon.

 

Daniel: An urbanized Montana or a Communist-ized Midwest.  The incredible amount of graffiti gives a unique feel to the archaic Turkish, Roman, and Renaissance styles of architecture.  It’s very cold (right now) and there are lots of buses, trolleys, and trams so it reminds me of Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon.

 

 

2. What were your first impressions of Hungary?

Jaime: I remember thinking that it was dirty and really hot (it was August). I remember being excited, too, because as long as I can remember we have lived in the same house, and now I could pick out my own bedding, decorate, etc.

 

Daniel: Homely and dreary.

 

3. What would you say are five major differences between Hungary and the US?

Jaime: (1) Some of the roads don’t exactly look like roads, (2) most of the major malls have grocery stores in them, and a lot of the major grocery stores have other shops in them, (3) you can park on the sidewalks, (4) corner stores are a lot more common, and (5) people will steal everything on you, but not you, versus in the States they won’t take anything on you, but they will take you.

 

Daniel: Back streets and back alleys are much more common.  Lots more pubs.  A lot more ‘mom and pop’ type shops. Smaller cars and parking on sidewalks, and they use a different voltage (110 in the US, 220 in Hungary).

 

4.  What is the most interesting or unusual thing that you have seen in Hungary so far?

Jaime: Probably people parking wherever they see a spot, whether or not it's a parking space.

 

Daniel: In the middle of the courtyard at Jaime’s dad’s workplace there was this sculpture of a cow with two kids sitting underneath drinking from the udders. That was unusual.

 

5. Describe Hungary in ten words or less.

Jaime: An old country with a modern standard of living.

 

Daniel:  Communism and rich culture combine to form a cold individualism.

 

Print       E-mail      

Angkor Blowing on Embers - A Tribute to Harry Fonseca Impressions of Hungary The Finding of Spiritual Gifts