First Impressions: Part IV

The Language
Hungarian (or magyarul as it is known here) is a challenging, yet beautiful language.  It is known to be one of the most difficult languages to learn, and shares very distant characteristics with only two other languages: Finnish and Estonian.  Part of its beauty to me is that it doesn't sound like any other language I've heard. They also use vowel harmony in their language (unlike Czech or Slovak),  which makes everything sound a lot more melodic.

I have been enjoying the challenge of a new language.  I am able to use basic phrases and greetings, and find that I can do all my shopping at the market and grocery store and ordering in bakeries and restaurants with very few problems.  I actually enjoy the chance to go into a store so I can practice my Hungarian.  I find myself becoming more comfortable and confident with what I know, and have noticed that my pronunciation has improved significantly. Now when I greet someone they begin speaking Hungarian without a moments pause and only when they see my flustered look do they sometimes realize that I have little idea what they are actually saying.  Each day I feel like I learn at least 3-5 new words, and then forget all but one of them, but it's a start, I guess.  I've appreciated all the help and patience from my Hungarian colleagues, and Bill has been a big help too.  He always picks up languages faster than I do, so I make him teach me what he has learned.  Hopefully my progress with this beautiful language continues.

Statue at Heroes Square representing the 9 different chiefs of the Magyar tribe

First Impressions: Part III

The Food
For those of you whose hearts sank six years ago when I stopped eating meat, you can rejoice because there is no escaping it here.  I wouldn't say that I enjoy eating meat now (because I don't), but I'm getting more used to it, and feel that I would be missing out on part of the culture if I didn't eat it while here because Hungarian meals are very meat-centric(chicken and pork are the most common) and they usually begin with soup. Sour cream and paprika are very characteristic of  Hungarian dishes as well.  Most Hungarian food in my opinion is quite salty.  The first two weeks Bill and I were here we couldn't figure out why we were so incredibly thirsty, and then realized later it's because of the food!

I'm definitely enjoying the amount of bakeries that are here.  I often pop into one in the morning on my way to work and get some type of croissant or grab a loaf of bread on my way home from work. The more traditional Hungarian pastries that involve poppyseed paste, apples or sour cherries are not so much to my liking.  I still have much to try in the way of their beer and wine, but from first impressions their beer is fairly nondescript; definitely on the lighter side, and the wine here is pretty good. Palinka, is a traditional liquor in Hungary that is extremely strong and usually has different flavors such as plum, apricot, sour cherry.  I've tried it, but boy is that stuff strong!!

First Impressions: Part II

The People
I have really come to love the people of Hungary.  They are an extremely sincere and genuine people. When they say they are going to do something, they actually do it.  If you show interest in their culture, they will do what they can to share it with you.  For example, I was speaking with one of my colleagues at the advising center I work at and she was telling me about Palacsinta (a traditional pancake/crepe), and I mentioned I hadn't tried it yet.  The next day, she brings me a tupperware full of homemade Palacsinta and a jar of homemade jam to fill the pancakes with.  I find that in the United States we do a lot of talking, but there is not always follow up.  Hungarians have inspired me to be better about not just talking about something I would like to do, or making a hollow offer to meet up with someone, but to actually follow through and do it.

Bill with Edit and Robert

I have enjoyed getting to know Hungarians and their culture. They are very open to speaking about their history and traditions, and quite frankly are very knowledgeable about it.  I have come to realize that there are certain topics that you could mention to almost any Hungarian and they could talk for hours about it: the Treaty of Trianon (when Hungary lost more than two-thirds of their land after WWI), and Lake Balaton, the most popular summer vacation spot in Hungary.  I do feel lucky to be living in a place where the people don't just tell you about their history and culture, but give you their own perspectives and experiences related to it as well.

First Impressions: Part I

I meant to write a post about my first impressions of Budapest/Hungary within the first two weeks of being here, but alas, life got so busy and that just didn't end up happening.  So without further adieu, here is the first installment of my four part series on first impressions.

The City Itself
Budapest is an absolutely stunning city.  I love how the two sides of the city, the Buda and the Pest side, have a completely different look and feel.  At one point they were in fact two different cities.  The Buda side is quiet, lush, and full of rolling hills.  My legs thank me every time I am on that side of the city.  From there you have a beautiful view of the Parliament, St. Istvan's Basilica  the various bridges that span the Danube, and you can essentially see Pest disappear into the distance.  The Pest side is completely flat, full of beautiful architecture and thriving with life.

The Danube splitting the Buda (right) and Pest (left) side of the city.

Budapest has a happy balance between busy and relaxed. There are always people out and about, but never to a point where you feel you are swimming through a sea of people. Crowds of people will pile out of a tram or metro car, but then they dissipate and you suddenly have your own space on the sidewalk.  The city is also extremely walkable and well connected by public transportation, which makes it so easy to get to all of the wonderful things the city offers: parks, museums, different neighborhoods, bars,restaurants and coffee shops.

House Hunters International

Bill being interviewed and filmed after viewing one of the apartments

How did this happen, you might ask?  Well, it all stemmed from morbid curiosity and complete naiveté.  In April, after finding out that I received the Fulbright grant to Hungary, I began thinking about what the best approach to finding an apartment would be.  I started looking at listings online and then quickly thought, why don't we have HGTV find us an apartment?  Bill and I both enjoyed watching House Hunters International, so I thought I would just throw an email out explaining our story and upcoming move, and assumed we would get nothing back.

About two months later, after forgetting I had ever emailed HHI and having just secured an apartment, I got an email back saying they wanted us on the show.  I thought we blew our chance since we had just put down a deposit on an apartment, but it turns out that I didn't really know how the show worked. HHI actually won't really consider you for the show unless you already have your apartment or home lined up. So in the midst of our craze of packing and saying goodbye, we filmed the one-day Chicago 'backstory' just three days before we flew to Budapest.

This past weekend we finished off our filming with four long days in Budapest.  I'll be honest in saying that going into this weekend we both had a little more dread than we did excitement; but coming out of the experience we only have great things to say.  We could not have asked for a better crew.  Our director, camera guy, and sound guy were all from the UK and had the best sense of humor.  I'm pretty sure over 50% of our footage and sound is unusable for the mere fact that it was practically all witty jokes and inappropriate humor.  During the four days of filming, we viewed three different apartments (including the one we have been living in the past month) and we were filmed exploring various parts of Budapest.  After the show actually airs in the United States I'll give some more of the behind the scenes secrets of the show.

With everything said and done (well the filming at least, my mind might change after I see it air), I'm very glad we did this.  I really knew nothing about the film industry prior to filming and I feel like I've learned so much from the crew and have such a new perspective on film and television.  I think the show itself will serve as a nice tribute to our time here and Budapest and will be something fun to share with friends and family at home.  And best of all I feel like we made some friends during the process as well.

Out for drinks after a long weekend of filming