William Penn Life, 2014 (49. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-12-01 / 12. szám
Tibor's Take with Tibor Check, Jr. Perceptions of Budapest LAST MONTH, I wrote about the September excursion my family took to Hungary. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that bonded us together in purpose and spirit. Spending nearly 10 days in the village where my great-grandparents were born and nurtured served as a spiritual pilgrimage to my ancestral history and heritage. The eight days my family spent in Budapest offered me a broader historical understanding of how a small country about the size of Ohio withstood, fought, regrouped and persisted against an almost constant barrage of ruthless invasions and exploitation. Due to its geographical placement, fertile soils and favorable climate, Hungary was, and will always be, in the cross hairs of foreign governments and other invaders with parasitic intentions. On a positive note, the centuries of leaching of precious Magyar resources by others has made the Hungarians a nation of people who can adapt and prosper. This month, I want to focus on Budapest. During my visit, I conversed with dozens of locals, the majority of whom were under 35 years of age. • In my discussions with young Hungarians, I found several contrasting sentiments concerning their own futures and that of Hungary as a nation. The rural men and women were much more upbeat and were more likely to stay in the area close to home. The young people of Budapest, on the other hand, felt that real opportunity beckons beyond Hungary in countries such as Austria, Germany and Great Britain. • The city dwellers held down several part-time jobs while attending college. I was surprised that the most popular degrees pursued were in the field of hospitality. I learned that there was a sense of hopelessness once the nine semesters of free government college education were exhausted. Government aid for post-graduate education is limited to the more demanding areas of study, such as medicine and engineering. I inquired about the study of law, and no one seemed to know much about it nor did I meet anyone studying law. When I asked those who wanted to move to another country if they would emigrate to America, they basically said America was a nice place to visit, but they wouldn't want to live there. They did not like how far away it is and expressed fear of high crime rates and many taxes. Most of them would like to eventually return to live in Hungary once their fortunes were amassed. I found that sentiment similar to many American-Hungarians of a few generations ago. Almost all would like to visit America, listing New York City as a favorite destination spot. • In America, it is considered a rite of passage for a 16-year-old to get a driver's license and, soon after, obtain a car of their own. In Hungary, a household that owns even one car is considered to be an affluent one. My cousin Zsolt, 22, hopes to have a driver's license before the year ends. He is currently taking driver training classes prior to his driver's exam. He has no immediate plans to own a car. When I showed him photos of my Ford Mustang, he asked how all five members of my family fit into it. A repeated explanation of how many cars my family owns left him awestruck. Bus, subway and train travel are the usual means of transport for 99 percent of the Hungarian populace. • I loved Váci út and the Promenade in District V of Budapest. My family spent our evenings dining at the Mátyás Pince, Százéves, Sörforrás, Fakanál and Fatál restaurants. In each instance, we came to listen ti the live, world-class gypsy music be stayed for the excellent food. Each eating establishment offered uniquely themed Hungarian décor and menu items. I was introduced to roasted goose and livers. The pan fried livers had their own unique taste. On the other hand, the golden brown liba (goose) leg was the BEST poultry I had ever had. Next Thanksgiving, I want to try making a deep fried goose instead of turkey! • I was surprised at the number of gypsy orchestras performing in Budapest, and many of the musicians were under 30 years of age. The most common style of music is called "evergreen" (meaning music that is appealing to all ages). Most groups played the standard Hungarian favorites, such as "Az a Szép" and "Ritka Búza," but generally stuck to the "elevator" type tunes. My brother would always request a melody of lesser known songs, such as "Galamb Szívet." Each time, this impromptu version of "Stump the Primas" produced a uniquely beautiful performance. As we always do following a specific request, the zenekar (band) was rewarded with a monetary tip via the "Hungarian Handshake." • Castle Hill is an area that deserves more attention and fanfare. Of course, many visitors stop to see Mátyás Templom and Fisherman's Bastion, but typically visit just for the hour the tour bus stops there. I spent two days in the area and could have easily spent another week exploring in detail the many side streets and historical locations this area has to offer. • Unfortunately, my apa (father) suffered a rather bloody accident while riding on a tourist shuttle bus. As with most things in life, you have to "flow with the water/punches/circumstances," and make the most of the situation at hand. Thus, our family had the extreme pleasure of spending an afternoon and early evening at a hospital not far from Liszt Airport. Although my father was bruised, banged up and depleted of about a pint of blood, he seemed to enjoy the entire ordeal. We rode in an ambulance that offered me a taste of what being in a demolition derby and/or Hungarian
