Observations of a foreigner
Over the past few months I've been observing and collecting things in my brain that are unique to Hungary (and possibly Europe at large) and my experiences here. Some are funny. Some are more serious. I do not mean to be disrespectful of Hungarian culture and these are overarching generalizations. The fact is I enjoy many of these things that make Hungary unique.
1. You can park of either side of the road and face either direction. It's ok if you park on the sidewalk too.
2. People don't smile or really look you unless they know you personally. Then you are greeted with a big smiling eyes, a hug and kisses on the cheek. Hungarians are very high wall, low wall people in general.
3. Your refrigerator and freezer for four people is about the same size as a small apartment size in the USA. Consequently, one person from your house is going to the grocery store daily.
4. You buy bread warm from the bakery at the grocery store and it's cheaper than the fluffy, processed, sliced bread.
5. There is chocolate everywhere! There is Milka, Boci, Tibi, Ritter Sport, Kinder, After Eight, Toblerone, Katica and I'm sure I've forgotten some.
6. You can get your shoes fixed and shined at a cobbler for less than $5.
7. You communicate with the local people with a very limited vocabulary of polite phrases and lots of gestures because their beautiful language is very, very difficult and complex.
8. You visit an orphanage/school filled with about 50 older children (mostly between 14-25) all with learning disabilities. They have no family to go home to. They live at their school.
9. Dogs greet you (or terrify) you as you walk by on your way through town. Dogs here are everywhere and tend to be outdoors a lot. Thankfully there are gates and fences to keep them in.
10. You add an extra 10 minutes to your departure time to walk to the bus stop. And if you don't you find yourself running full speed down hill, around the corner and then to be completely exhausted to walk up the hill to the stop all the while checking over your shoulder to see if the bus is early (or perhaps your late.)
11. You can step into a crosswalk and expect the cars to stop for you. But don't expect them to stop if it's not a crosswalk.
12. There are round-a-bouts! :) I like round-a-bouts.
13. When you go to a restaurant they ask, "smoking or non-smoking?" Yes, there are very few smoke free places here.
14. You order water as a beverage and it's not free unless you ask for tap water. When you order water expect to get bottled water with carbonation. If you don't want carbonated water you ask for water with no gas. (Kerek szepen viz nem gaz.)
15. You find that you still are the same person, with the same problems, still in need of a Savior just like every other person on this terrestrial ball called earth.
1. You can park of either side of the road and face either direction. It's ok if you park on the sidewalk too.
2. People don't smile or really look you unless they know you personally. Then you are greeted with a big smiling eyes, a hug and kisses on the cheek. Hungarians are very high wall, low wall people in general.
3. Your refrigerator and freezer for four people is about the same size as a small apartment size in the USA. Consequently, one person from your house is going to the grocery store daily.
4. You buy bread warm from the bakery at the grocery store and it's cheaper than the fluffy, processed, sliced bread.
5. There is chocolate everywhere! There is Milka, Boci, Tibi, Ritter Sport, Kinder, After Eight, Toblerone, Katica and I'm sure I've forgotten some.
6. You can get your shoes fixed and shined at a cobbler for less than $5.
7. You communicate with the local people with a very limited vocabulary of polite phrases and lots of gestures because their beautiful language is very, very difficult and complex.
8. You visit an orphanage/school filled with about 50 older children (mostly between 14-25) all with learning disabilities. They have no family to go home to. They live at their school.
9. Dogs greet you (or terrify) you as you walk by on your way through town. Dogs here are everywhere and tend to be outdoors a lot. Thankfully there are gates and fences to keep them in.
10. You add an extra 10 minutes to your departure time to walk to the bus stop. And if you don't you find yourself running full speed down hill, around the corner and then to be completely exhausted to walk up the hill to the stop all the while checking over your shoulder to see if the bus is early (or perhaps your late.)
11. You can step into a crosswalk and expect the cars to stop for you. But don't expect them to stop if it's not a crosswalk.
12. There are round-a-bouts! :) I like round-a-bouts.
13. When you go to a restaurant they ask, "smoking or non-smoking?" Yes, there are very few smoke free places here.
14. You order water as a beverage and it's not free unless you ask for tap water. When you order water expect to get bottled water with carbonation. If you don't want carbonated water you ask for water with no gas. (Kerek szepen viz nem gaz.)
15. You find that you still are the same person, with the same problems, still in need of a Savior just like every other person on this terrestrial ball called earth.
God showing off His glory one morning on my walk to school.
I have enjoyed reading and catching up on your blog tonight. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Dear Friend! Oh, how God stretches us in ways we don't anticipate, revealing our desperate need for Him and His great goodness to us. It is good to trust Him, clinging to Him in these adventures as He leads us! Praying for you in this new year!
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