More info about Hungary
Written: Sep 18 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great food, low costs
Cons: difficult language, not so friendly people
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| wgrubbs's Full Review: Hungary |
Review Topic: Practical Information
My most recent journey to Hungary was in September, 2000 when I traveled to Budapest for a few days from Zagreb.
Driving through the countryside, you notice large fields for agriculture until you reach the area of Lake Balaton, one of Hungary's most known tourist attractions. Road signs are practically in Hungarian and German in this region because Germans and Austrians are Lake Balaton's biggest guests.
This is a very large lake, extending over 70 kilometers in some parts, and the view is extraordinary. Nevertheless, I was on the Adriatic Coast only 3 weeks prior to this trip, so my dazzelment was slightly dulled by the memories of the beautiful clear blue sea I was swimming in so recently. I am told you can swim in Lake Balaton, though I would not fully recommend this. Though it can look very nice when you are driving by it, the close-up look into the water was not a pleasant one.
Budapest, the country's capital, was definitely a pleasant site to see. At the turn of the 20th century, the city was well-known for it's institutes in science, medicine, arts and the theatre. Hence, the town flourished and many grand buildings were erected through the capital. Luckily, communism did not damage these buildings so badly.
Since my first visit in 1995, Budapest has also definitely had a few face lifts and many western enterprises are moving in to get their grabs on the fresh free market trade in Hungary.
The best even I had of my most recent visit to Budapest was an evening at a restaurant where the entertainment was a group of Gypsy musicians (2 million Gypsies live in Hungary) and local dancers while I was eating a delicious goulash. If there is one thing Hungarians know, it's food.
Nevertheless, there are still many negative attributes about this country such as the xenophobia which reigns in many Hungarians. It's not so typical to see Hungarians speaking English, German, or any other language beside their own. Hungarians are known for not welcome foreigners and foreign ideas. Something else I have never seen so bad before also is the rate of theft in the country. Though I've never been robbed here before (knock on wood) I have not met one person who has travelled to Budapest and not been robbed of at least something. As a piece of advice: watch all your belongings, watch those around you and exchange your money in a bank.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
wgrubbs
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Member: Wesley Grubbs
Location: Wisconsin
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 2 members
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