William Penn Life, 2012 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2012-11-01 / 11. szám
MAGYAR WéDsite'of the Month1 www.politics.hu You come for the news, but you stay for the comments section. The sometimes insightful but always entertaining comments that follow each and every article on this English language website devoted to Hungarian politics is definitely worth perusing if you have a sense of humor. Otherwise, skip the comments and focus on what I find most useful on this website: concise, clear and well-written analysis and news on Hungarian politics. Hungary rarely makes it into American domestic news, so this is a great source for keeping abreast of what is happening in Budapest. Tibor's Take ian family's budget for even the simplest of luxuries. My father concluded that his dollars earmarked for charity in America would now be diverted to native Hungarian causes. He realized that our tips and gratuities enabled the local populace to subsist a little easier. Sometimes, it takes a trip to a place like Hungary in order to remind us how fortunate we are. My parents were able to meet many wonderful American-Hungarians on this tour of Hungary. My apa and some of the gentlemen began to address each other as "Rudy Bácsi," "Jóska Bácsi," János Bácsi," etc. They hung together while the wives shopped or prayed at the many beautiful churches in each falu or város. Many of those new friendships will continue and that, certainly is something to be thankful for. As I've mentioned, my apa is a retired teacher but often sees the world through the eyes of a student. He learned a valuable lesson from Endre Csornán as they sat together on a bench waiting for members of the tour to return to the bus. My father expressed his concern that it was hard to communicate with the locals. Mr. Csornán informed my apa that the hardest things to translate are spoken numbers. Numbers are a big part of any conversation. The written number means the same in Hungary or America. Hand gestures, pointing and writing out a number instead of saying it are the biggest aids in understanding a conversation. My dad tried it with several locals and found that Mr. Csornán was 100 percent correct. Mr. Csornán was the glue that kept the tour together. His leadership, kindness and compassion are things all members of William Penn Association can be thankful for. As my parents conversed with Magyar vendors and townspeople, they learned that mentioning you are a American-Magyar creates big smiles and acceptance. The interspersing of a few simple Hungarian words dropped any apprehension the Hungarian native may have had. The conversation quickly would switch to questions like, "Where are you from in America?" My parents would answer Cleveland, Ohio. Everyone indicated that they knew someone that either visited there or lived there at one point in time. The prestige of being an American who has ancestral roots in Hungary is something one can be truly thankful for. Many times a novice to world travel needs a guiding hand in understanding the intricate nuances of a native people. My parents were like lost lambs. Tom House, husband of WPA Chair of the Board Barbara House, sat in the rear of the bus along with my parents. My mom said Mr. House gave them dozens of tips and insights about traveling through Hungary which made their experience 10 times better than it would have been without them. "Mr. House was our tour guide," she said. "We were so fortunate to be sitting by him throughout the tour." Mr. and Mrs. Cseh are thankful for his direction. So, no matter who you are or where you may find yourself this Thanksgiving, be thankful for at least one thing: that you are an American. There is a reason so many of our forebearers came to the "Land of Opportunity." When my great-grandparents left their sleepy little village in Western Hungary (Csőt, Veszprém) to come to the U.S., they must have been frightened and apprehensive. In just three generations, my family has climbed the ladder of success to find itself near the apex of American society as our relatives in America have become doctors, inventors and successful businesspersons. Soon this legacy of successes will continue when my siblings and I will simultaneously graduate from college as a lawyer, healthcare administrator and teacher. My parents promised the three Cseh children that as a graduation gift to us, we will all travel with the WPA Tour to Hungary in 2014. That is something to be thankful for! Boldog Hálaadást Kívánunk! Tibor II Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a student at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He serves as a host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WKTL-90.7 FM in Struthers, Ohio. Let's hear your take Let me know how you enjoy my thoughts and views on growing up Hungarian Style. If you have any questions or comments about me or my column, please email me at: silverkingl937@yahoo.com, or drop me a letter in care of the William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. William Penn Life 0 November 2012 0 7
