William Penn Life, 2017 (52. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2017-05-01 / 5. szám
Tibor's Take dapest city center and closer to the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Hungary. Just open a reputable guidebook or run a few searches on the internet for more details. Practical Travel Tips Before you get there It seems that every business has an app nowadays. I use airline apps to quickly look up flight details and receive alerts and to avoid printing out a boarding pass. The same goes for hotel apps. But, in addition to convenience, there are plenty of app-based and social media resources to help navigate the security and customs lines. For example, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a blog and an active Twitter presence that can be used to ask questions about the process, prohibited items and other questions. Pocket change for the ‘WC Nothing is worse than having to use the restroom and learning you need to pay an entrance fee. Most establishments do not advertise the restroom usage fee (which can range from 50 to 300 forints), so one is often left guessing until you get to the door, at which point a coin-fed lock or a stern older woman will demand the necessary amount. It's better to not have to hand over a bill, since it's not always clear if change can be given. Know which clubs & establishments to avoid While Budapest has a hopping nightlife, it is to be expected that certain establishments can be a bit unsavory. Some clubs and bars are little more than scams that charge exorbitant cover charges or prices for alcohol; others will steal your credit card information; a few are downright dangerous. I hesitate to include a list because these establishments' names, locations and details tend to vary considerably. Contact the U.S. Embassy for more information or conduct some internet research before you go. Download a secure messenger & a good VPN We Millennials are attached to our devices, and with good reason. But, if you want to avoid exorbitant data charges, try to use WiFi whenever possible. While that is convenient, always assume that some cybercriminal is going to try to steal your information when using unsecured WiFi. I recommend that you use a secure messenger (like Viber or WhatsApp) and a virtual private network. There are many good options that can be downloaded for free or a nominal fee. It's better to be safe than sorry! Be smart about location tracking Many apps require or otherwise use location data to provide users with the best service. While this might be okay in your neighborhood shopping mall, that use of location data can pose dangers if it falls into the wrong hands. An unfortunate example: Kim Kardashian thinks that the robbers who broke into her Paris apartment were monitoring her social media accounts to figure out her location and whether she was alone. Be safe and smart at all times. Always ask about student discounts Some places might not offer them, but Europe is very friendly overall to the traveling student on a budget. If you can, purchase the well-known International Student ID Card. While some establishments only give discounts to Hungarian students, many more will be more than happy to give a discount to international students. By no means does this brief synopsis capture everything there is to know about traveling as a young person to Hungary. For more information, I encourage you to use social media and other outlets to learn more about Hungary and what to do there when you go. And, by all means, be sure to take time and visit the cultural sites, catch a classical folk music concert and eat some delicious pastries and food. Until next time.... / Éljen a Amerikai-Magyar, Tibor Tibor Check, Jr., is a member of Branch 28 and an attorney working in Washington, D.C. Let's hear your take If you have any questions or comments about me or my column, please email me at: silverkingl937@ gmail.com, or drop me a letter in care of the William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. WILLIAM PENN LIFE ° May 2017 ° 9
