Pay Your Parking Fees Via Your Cell Phone
New Mobile phone parking system in Budapest and 20 other cities in Hungary.
You may pay your parking fees via your Hungarian mobile phone (Pannon or T-Mobile) without registration. There is no need for pre-payment, (to have a credit account with a parking company), and you don’t pay by the hour, but only for the time you actually park your car.
How does it work Read more »
Hungarian Schools vs. American Schools
According to Doug and Lea Coppage, who teach in a Hungarian school and their daughter has been going to Hungarian school for several years now, Hungarian schools are quite different from American schools.
Here are some major differences according to the Coppages:
- American schools value critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Hungarian schools teach “rote” knowledge.
- American schools value self esteem and other individualistic traits. Hungarian schools value competency and more group-oriented characteristics.
- American schools have trouble teaching actual content, and they make up for this by imposing batteries of minimum achievement tests. Hungarian schools have trouble teaching things that apply to real life, and they do not attempt to compensate.
- In an American school, each student has an individual schedule, and they travel around to different teachers’ classrooms each hour. In a Hungarian schools, each class learns together in its own room, and the teachers come and go according to the class’s schedule.
Sounds blunt and too black and white to me, and I could bring several examples where a Hungarian school or a Hungarian teacher does not fit this description at all… still, I can not argue with the essence. I know that the short description above comes from many years of experience and I also know that this family loves Hungarians. This is where I decided to share their insight with you.
What are your experiences?
Vizsla
The vizsla is a breed of sporting dog. It can generally work both as a pointer and a retriever. Developed on the open plains of Hungary, the vizsla was bred to be a swift and cautious hunter, wary of alerting its quarry. Read more »
Roman Beach (Római Part)
Római part, or Roman bank, runs along the side of the Danube in District III, out by Óbuda. On a hot Sunday afternoon the grassy waterfront is filled with families enjoying the sun. Read more »
Boat Trips on the Danube River
Boat companies provide boat trips along the Danube in the Summer season. Here are some short regular boat trips for you to try: Read more »
Hang out in Szimpla kert
In the evening of a warm day, hang out in Szimpla kert (”simple yard”).
“Szimpla has been running since October 2001. We keep trying to find out whether it’s possible to support alternative culture on a profit oriented basis, to survive seemingly hopeless construction works, to have one of the best cuisines in town, to screen self distributed movies in our own open-air cinema, to organize animation festivals, and things like this. The answer so far seems to be: yes, it is…”
Parenting Completed…
You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round
will wave at his parents every time around – and why his parents will always wave back. Read more »
Used Bookstores
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Go to galleries, museums and especially used bookstores along Museum krt. Have lunch at a table on the street in Ráday utca.
Take a Look at the Hand of István in the Basilica
Visit Saint Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István Bazilika) and take a look at his preserved right hand.
The Basilica is the biggest church in Budapest, named after István, the first king of Hungary. Read more »
Fish Soup
Everyone coming to Hungary and finding themselves by the Danube, Tisza or Balaton shore will come across the local version of the Hungarian fish soup. Read more »
TIVADAR PUSKÁS – invented the predecessor of radio
September 17th, 1844, Pest – March 16th, 1893, Budapest
Tivadar Puskás invented the telephone exchange and the telephone newsreader, the predecessor of the wired radio.
In the legend, Tivadar Puskás said “hallo” into the telephone receiver for the first time on April 2, 1878, or rather he said “hallom” (that is to say “I hear” in Hungarian), so the world “HALLO” originated from this Hungarian word. It was the first long-distance call, which was established between Puskás and Edison having overcame the distance of 107 miles between New York and Philadelphia.
Puskás also built Europe’s first telephone exchange in 1879. In Budapest, the world’s fourth exchange commenced operating in 1881.
Puskás received his higher education in Theresianum, then at the Technical University in Vienna. However, he was not able to complete his studies due to his father’s death. Later he undertook work in London and in Transylvania, and then he traveled to the United States and made some business. In 1876 Puskás returned to Europe for a short time, and began to build the telegraph network in London and Brussels. His concept was to create a telegraph apparatus that on its switchboard the lines of the factories and offices in the city could be connected to it and to each other, as well. However, the idea was considered too expensive.
Having heard that A.G. Bell presented his new invention, the telephone, Puskás traveled there at once, and realized that he should build a telephone exchange.
He visited and convinced Edison that the telephone is a novel device which needed to be made available to the public. From the autumn of 1876 to the summer of 1877 Puskás worked with Edison on the idea of the telephone exchange at the Edison’s laboratory in Menlo Park.
In the summer of 1877, Puskás as Edison’s European agent moved to London and in 1878 to Paris, where he directed the installation of the first telephone network and exchange. In October 1879 Tivadar Puskás became a member of the board of directors in the Edison Company.
Meanwhile, Puskás trained his brother, Ferenc, who with Edison’s consent, obtained exclusive rights to build telephone exchanges on the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The two brothers returned home and began to install a telephone exchange in Budapest, which started to operate with twenty five subscribers on May 1st, 1881 as the sixth telephone exchange in Europe. Three months after opening the first exchange Puskás set up the second one, then, by setting up another one in Buda the number of telephone exchanges in Budapest increased up to three.
In 1881 at the World Fair in Paris Puskás presented Jumbo, a giant 27-ton dynamo of Edison’s company, the phonograph and electric lighting. Jumbo supplied electricity to 1,000-1,200 light bulbs with tremendous success.
Puskás was also interested in the telephone newsreader, i.e. the idea of transmission to several stations at the same time.
When on the exhibition Puskás has shown the General Telephone Company of Paris he organized the first “live broadcast”. He broadcast a performance from the Paris Opera to a room at the exhibition where 16 listeners were able to hear the performance on earphones.
On February 14th, 1882, at the spring festival organized in the building of the Vigadó (Municipal Concert Hall) of Pest Puskás broadcasted Erkel’s opera “László Hunyadi” from the National Theatre through his “songtelephone”. At this time only a limited number of listeners could enjoy the broadcast. In order to make it possible to listen to it on innumerable receivers at the same time, the sound had to be amplified. Puskás’s sound multiplicator, a forerunner of today’s amplifying valve served for this purpose.
After several unsuccessful businesses Tivadar Puskás, poor and ill, returned to Budapest, where, the Budapest Telephone Company, Puskás Tivadar and Co. almost went bankrupt. Fortunately the Minister of Industry and Trade who comprehended the potentialities of the telephone, took the telephone network into public ownership, and rented it to Puskás. Further enhancement, therefore, was supported by the state.
After Puskás founded the telephone exchange of the city of Budapest, he invented the forerunner of the radio, the telephone broadcaster. On February 15th, 1893, for the first time in the world, the telephone newsreader began to broadcast in Budapest, Hungary. In the first period the telephone newsreader did not have independent wires, the subscribers requested connection from the telephone exchange and they could listen to permanent broadcasting from 9 in the morning till 9 in the evening on the telephone. Later individual wires were laid down for the telephone newsreader.
This is how W. B. Forster Bovill writes about it in Hungary and the Hungarians, (1908, pages 111-112):
“You may be seated as I was in the reading-room of one of the hotels, or in a large coffee-house, when suddenly a rush is made for a telephone-looking instrument which hangs from the wall. In time perhaps you will become one of these “rushers.” It is the Telephon Hirmondo, a kind of newspaper which telephones its news instead of printing it. Budapest is the only city in the world which possesses such an instrument. All day long a clear-toned elocutionist announces news just as it arrives, it commences in the morning at nine by sending the correct time, which is repeated every hour. At twelve o’clock the news of the day, home and abroad, is sent out to thousands of homes, etc. Sometimes a raconteur will make the luncheon hour pass easily by telling a few good stories. The latest rise and fall “on ‘Change,” programme of events, meetings, Parliament, horseraces, these are a few of the items one may receive. From 4.30 to 6.30 one may listen to a famous Honvéd military band, and after seven in the evening, for five nights of the week, the subscriber sitting at home may listen to grand opera. On the two remaining evenings the strains of a gipsy band coming from a distant café adds to the enjoyment. The Magyar loves pleasure.”
Today’s wired radios are based on the structural elements of Tivadar Puskás’s telephone newsreader.
A month later the telephone newsreader broadcast (telephonograph) released the sad news that Tivadar Puskás died of heart attack, at the age of 49.
Tivadar Puskas, telephone newsreader, telephone exchange, radio, inventor, Edison, Bell, telephonograph, songtelephone
Outdoor Markets
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Take pictures at outdoor markets.
Zwack Unicum
Joseph II, emperor of Austria and Hungary, unwittingly came up with the name for Hungary’s most famous liqueur in 1790. “Das ist ein Unicum” he commented after sampling the tonic created by court physician Dr. Zwack to treat a stomach disorder troubling his majesty. Read more »
Visit the Great Jewish Synagogue and the Holocaust Museum
Visit the Great Jewish Synagogue and the Holocaust Museum.
The Budapest Synagogue is the second biggest Synagogue in the world. Unique for its architectural style and recently restored, it has been an important center for Jewish life in Budapest and Europe Read more »
Hungary Drops in Competitiveness
Hungary slipped back three places to 38 in the World Competitiveness Yearbook survey compiled by Swiss economic institute IMD. The report covers 55 countries and measures competitiveness based on some 300 criteria. Read more »
Canoes
Idea of Fun in Budapest: Rent canoes on the Danube (off the HÉV).
Go to the Budapest Citadel on Gellért Hill
Go to the Budapest Citadel on Gellért hill. The Citadella is an impressive fortress built originally in the mid 19th century by the Habsburgs.
The Freedom Monument is a statue of a lady with a palm, representing Read more »
Chain Bridge
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Streak across the Chain Bridge. Take close pictures of the iron structures.
Hungary: Current Macroeconomic Forecast
Getting out from the hole
According to the forecast prepared by GKI Economic Research Co. in co-operation with Erste Bank the Hungarian economy will bottom out from the last year’s “hole” by the end of 2008. This year real earnings will already grow – although slowly. If the global financial market stabilizes, the forint interest rates may decrease. Read more »
Szalámi: Hercz and Pick
Hungarian salami is another product consumed around the world. In Budapest Herz Szalámi, and in Szeged Pick Szalámi are made only from the finest pork, with the greatest care and on the basis of jealously guarded recipes. Read more »
Read in a Park
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Read in the Gellért Park or on Margit sziget.
Admire the Houses of Parliament
Admire the Houses of Parliament. Extravagant, sumptuous, gracious, overpowering, rich, extraordinary, over the top, opulent, lavish, elegant – you will then have your own words to describe the interior. Many consider it the most beautiful Parliament Buildings in the world. Read more »
Student’s Basic Budget in Budapest
Survival budget – This is how much money you will need to have in order to survive in Budapest as a student:
- Accommodation: 40,000-60,000 Ft + utilities
- Food and drink: 30,000 – 40,000 Ft
- Mobility: 3,250 Ft (student pass)
- Insurance: 15,000 Ft
- Leisure activity / recreation: 2,000-12,000 Ft (one movie ticket costs approx. 1,000 Ft)
- Other (phone, internet, clothing, medical expenses, etc.): 15,000-30,000 Ft
Total: 85,000-150,000 Ft
To survive on your own in Budapest, and if you must pay your rent, want to go out only once or twice a month, and have the odd meal at a cheap restaurant, you need the bare minimum of 100,000 Ft monthly as a limited student’s budget.
Convert Ft to your own currency
student’s budget in Budapest, cost of living, Hungary
Legal – Illegal
We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was “illegal“.
- Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Why We Can’t Wait, 1963
legal, illegal, civil disobedience, Hungarian revolution 1956
Szentendre Day-trip
Go to Szentendre for a day trip! It is a stereotypical cobblestoned European town. Buy a ticket at the Batthyány HÉV/Metro stop and take the HÉV to the end of the line! For a scenic ride home take a boat cruise down the Danube back into Budapest! Read more »
Family Housing Expenses
Rental prices
- 4 bedroom single standing home outside of Budapest city limits start at 250,000 Ft / 1,000 EUR monthly + utilities
- 4 bedroom single standing home in district 12: 750,000 – 1,500,000 Ft / 3,000 – 6,000 EUR monthly + utilities
Incomes in Hungary
The minimum payable wage in Hungary is 65,500 Ft (€ 258) per month. In fact you have to do a lot of math to make it last until the end of the month. Read more »
Onions and Paprika
Of the various vegetables and spices used in Hungarian dishes, Makó onions and ground red paprika from Kalocsa or Szeged must be listed as genuine hungaricum. Read more »
Horseback Riding & Horse Summer Camps!
Providing children, teens and adults with fun-filled opportunities to build cross-cultural friendships, practice English, and learn horsemanship the natural way in a Christian setting: Read more »
New Playhouse and Summer Camp in Diósd
Szülők Háza (Home for Parents) will run theme Summer day-camps throughout this summer, and is opening a new day-care center / nursery school (óvoda) in Diósd in September, 2008 for ages 3-7. Read more »
Spend the Day on Margaret Island
You can ride a bike, a bringo or a pony, play in various playgrounds, have a family picnic on Margaret Island… and splash in the largest pool of Budapest! Read more »
Flea Market
Idea of Fun in Budapest: Go to the flea market at Ecseri út. Take the #154 or #156 bus from Boráros Tér near the Duna.
The Chain Bridge
Missionary Kids, Third Culture Kids
Quoted from a very informative and insightful article written by Matthew McNutt on his blog:
Positive things that characterize most Third Culture Kids:
- Third Culture Kids tend to be politically astute. They are interested in national and global events, and actively keep track of the news. They often times are aware of the issues and both sides of the debates.
- Third Culture Kids usually speak more than one language. It is not unusual for them to know three or four languages, often times better than they let on.
- Third Culture Kids are much more comfortable communicating with adults than the average American teenager.
- Third Culture Kids tend to possess greater maturity in social skills. They are able to adapt well and notice details others might not.
- Third Culture Kids possess global perspective. They are able to understand the perspectives other nations have and relate them one to another. As a result, they are usually less prejudiced than others their age.
- Third Culture Kids are achievers. A far greater percentage of TCK’s go on to earn Bachelor degrees and advanced degrees than other groups.
- Because of their own experiences of feeling different, Third Culture Kids are much more likely to reach out and accept new people, especially those with different cultural backgrounds.
International Schools in Budapest
Budapest has a number of educational opportunities in the English language. There are three schools that offer instruction in the English language and use an essentially American curriculum: Read more »
Like a Fish out of Water: Stages of Culture Shock
Honeymoon Period
In the early days, you may not feel the stress involved in relocating not just your home, but your whole life. In this “honeymoon period”, which can last from a couple of weeks to six months, you’ll be too busy swanning about, tasting the new food and exploring the place to notice. Read more »
Good experience with a Service Provider?
Are you a happy client? Share your story with us! Reward your favorite service providers… Give a free promotion to your gas furnace repairman, electrician, carpenter, cleaning lady, babysitter, tutor, tour guide, hairdresser, car repairman, veterinarian, pediatrician, specialist, mover, gardener… and so on. Read more »
Heroes’ Square
Walk up Andrássy Street to Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere).
Andrássy Street is the great boulevard of Budapest. Many of the buildings in Budapest were erected in the 19th century – the private nobility took an eclectic approach and you can see the extraordinary mix of styles and ornamentation on such as Andrassy Street.
Andrássy Street goes straight from the Danube River to the Millenary Column in the Heroes’ Square – tree-lined all the way. Almost every building has ornamentation or plasterwork of note and the tree-lined street makes a lovely walk.
On Andrássy Street is the Opera House (Operaház). Built in the late 19th Century, the Budapest Opera House is an impressive neo-renaissance building reminiscent of the Opera House in Vienna.
Heroes’s Square is a place where art was used to express and honor the amazing history of the Hungarian Nation… from the time when the first Hungarian tribes settled in this area of the Carpathian Basin Read more »
English-Speaking Churches in Budapest
Bible Baptist Church
Budapest 17. 502 utca 19
Tel./Fax: 253-0390
E-mail: davef@axelero.hu
Calvary Chapel – ‘Golgotha’
Hiradó Movie Theatre at Blaha Lujza tér
Tel.: 322-2499
E-mail: golgota@internet.hu
Danube International Church
Non- denominational service
Meets at Mathias Corvinus Collegium, District 11, Somlói út 5.
Greater Grace Christian Church
Small church, familiar atmosphere – messages translated into Hungarian
Budapest 12, Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 22/b (across Budagyöngye) 1125
Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m.
International Baptist Church of Budapest
Fellowship over coffee begins at 10 am. on Sundays
followed by service at 10:30 a.m.
Budapest 2, Törökvész út 48-54. 394-4965
International Church of Budapest
Multi-denominational service and children’s ministry takes place
at 10:30 am every Sunday
Budapest 3th district, Kis Korona u. 7 (Óbudai Community Center)
Contact: Pastor Glenn Ford
Tel.: 786 3073
Email: icb.church@gmail.com
Service times: Sunday, 10:30 AM
KEGY – Kelenföld Evangelical Church
A bi-cultural church in Hungarian and English.
Fellowship: Sunday 10-12 a.m.
1119 Budapest 11, Etele út 55.
Email: kegy@kegy.hu
Presbyterian Church of Scotland
Budapest 6. Vörösmarty u. 51
Tel./Fax: 246-2258
Roman Catholic Masses at Szent Antal Church
Budapest 2, Pasaréti tér 2
Contact: Katie or Sebastian Gorka
Tel: 368-4428
Service times: Sunday, 4 PM
The Bible Speaks Church
Budapest 8, Golgota u. 3. 1089
Tel.: 210-2028
Fax: 210-8526
E-mail: iroda@bibliaszol.hu
Christian churches, English-speaking churches, international churches in Budapest
English DVD Video Store
English DVD & Video Rental – There are two of these, one in Buda (Hajnóczy József u. 11, District 12) and one in Pest (Zichy Jenő u. 44, between Oktogon and Nyugati — walk south, dog leg to the left and follow the footprints on the sidewalk). Read more »
May Fair at GGIS – May 9
Event Info
Host: GGIS
Type: Other – Festival Read more »
Promote your Site for Free on hunReal.com
There are several ways you can advertise for free and place the link of a related website or service on hunReal.com
1. Write a Comment. Type your key word or niche in the search box in the upper right corner, and find the article that is closest to the topic of the page you want to link to. Write a comment on that article and place your related link in the comment. I moderate all comments before they appear, but I will approve your comment unless it is offensive, spam, or if it contains more than one link. One link per comment only.
2. Write a keyword-rich, ORIGINAL article on your related topic or niche, and email me the article to hunreal.com@gmail.com
I will need the author’s name; you may also add one URL link and one picture of 290 pixels wide. You can promote your related website or service this way for free on hunReal.com.
I maintain the right not to publish your article if it is offensive, not original, does not meet the quality standards of hunReal.com or unrelated.
Place a clickable text link and /or our cool 125×125 banner to your site, linked to hunreal.com
The hunReal.com banner code:
<a href=”http://www.hunreal.com/” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://www.hunreal.com/wp-content/uploads/hunreal125×1251.jpg” alt=”Under the Frog” /></a>
It looks like this:
links, advertise, promote, visitors
Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing is rampant downtown in busy areas and especially on stuffed trams and buses. It is not uncommon to have money taken right out of your front pocket or out of your purse or backpack – these people are professionals! The best solution is to carry a pouch with your valuables in it around your neck or waist under your shirt, or to use a zippered inside pocket. If you carry a purse, be sure to keep your hand ON your purse when you are in crowded stores or on public transportation.
When traveling, be sure to have no valuables in your backpack because it is so easy for pickpocketers to just unzip a pocket and take whatever!
Watch each others’ bags when traveling. If you’d cry if it were stolen, then don’t put it in your bag.
Budapest Windows
Hungarian Money
The official currency in Hungary is the forint, or Hungarian forint (HUF). The coins in use are 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 forints. Banknotes come in denominations of 200, 500, 1 000, 2 000, 5 000, 10 000, and 20 000 – with elaborate graphic designs. There are also Braille signs on them for the visually impaired. Read more »
English Language Pre-schools and Playgroups in Budapest
“Because a large percentage of a child’s personality is formed before they reach age seven, early childhood education is crucial to children’s development. Read more »
Get Out of the City
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Get out of the city! Take a day trip to a nearby town: Szentendre, Visegrád, Vác, Gödöllő, Esztergom, etc.
Forint Weakens
The forint was trading down more than 1% against the euro at near 254 Wednesday after rumors of a possible downgrade of Hungary by credit-rating agency Standard & Poor’s. Read more »
No Public Transportation in Budapest on Friday!
Talks Fail to Avert Daylong BKV Strike. Public transport in Budapest will not be running on Friday as BKV management and unions failed to reach agreement yesterday. No talks are scheduled for today.
If the walkout goes ahead, the 22 BKV unions will be on strike Read more »
Shopping at the Great Market Hall
The Great Market Hall (Vásárcsarnok) is one of the best places to buy souvenirs and other typical Hungarian gift type things for family and friends. At the top floor of this interesting building (which, by the way, was designed by Eiffel, the same guy who designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris!) is where you find Read more »
OVI to Verify Referendum Signatures
The National Election Commission (OVB) on Monday ordered the National Election Office (OVI) to start verifying the signatures submitted in favor of a referendum against the privatisation of health insurance. Read more »
Helping Your Child Cope With Culture Shock
You can minimize your child’s disorientation by familiarizing her with the country you will be visiting before the trip, maintaining familiar rituals while traveling, and encouraging her to interact with the local culture. Children go through culture shock Read more »
How to Cope with Culture Shock
Culture shock is a normal response to immersion in an unfamiliar culture. The more unexpected and subtle the difference, the stronger our reaction can be. You can overcome culture shock by Read more »
Plastic Surgery in Budapest
You can take advantage of the very high class cosmetic, surgical and medical treatments in Hungary. These treatments will normally be found at up to 50% less than the cost of similar treatments in other countries. Read more »
Driving in Budapest
Driving in downtown Budapest is a challenge: traffic jams are frequent, and roads are often closed near construction sites. You can drive from Buda to Pest only across the bridges, often at a snail’s speed. Elisabeth (Erzsébet) bridge is usually the fastest. Public transport will take you anywhere. There are P + R sites near large underground stations.
If you feel the urge to drive, make sure you carry your driver’s license, a copy of your passport, residence permit, proof of last payment of your 3rd party liability insurance, and car registration document with the valid green card at all times. These documents should be with you when you drive. Police do spot checks for documents, I just got stopped today.
Police also enforce speed limits. Maximum speed limits in Hungary:
Built-up areas: 50 km/h (31mph)
Minor roads: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Major roads: 110 km/h (69 mph)
Motorways: 130 km/h (81 mph)
Travel Regulations
- We drive on the right.
- The use of seat belts is obligatory.
- Motorcyclists must wear helmets, a law strictly enforced.
- All vehicles should to keep their headlights on throughout the day outside built-up areas. Motorcycles should have headlights on at all times.
- There is a 100% ban on alcohol when you are driving, and this rule is very strictly enforced. The legal limit of alcohol in your blood is 0.0 milligrams!
- Children under 150 cm must us car seats / boosters. Motorcyclists must wear crash helmets.
Unless another instruction sign is displayed, yielding the right of way to cars approaching from the right is the general rule. Turning right on a red light is prohibited. The police write up tickets for traffic violations thus documenting the infraction and any applicable fine(s). The police will give the offender a postal check (money order) on which the amount of the fine to be paid is written, and this postal check may be presented and paid for at any Hungarian post office.
Emergency road service: dial 188
Hungarian Automobile Association: +36 1 345-1800 Budapest II., Rómer Flóris u. 4/a
Foreign citizens who caused an accident can get information on settling insurance claims from the Hungarian Insurance Co.: Budapest XI., Hamzsabégi út 60., Tel: +36 1 209-0730. Office hours: Mon-Thu 07.30-16.00, Fri 07.30-15.30. You must call a police when the accident involves any personal injury. You can leave Hungary in a vehicle with damaged body only if you produce a certificate made out either at entry into Hungary or on the spot of the accident.
If you have been in a car accident in Hungary and need legal help: Lawyer Attila Hodula has been warmly recommended to me. He is a specialist in vehicle accidents and speaks English.
Attila Hodula, Ph. D.
Office Address: Andrássy út 49, Budapest, 1061
Office name: Hodula & Svéda Ügyvédi Iroda
Office Phone: +36 1 322-9610
Email: mail.hodulaui@axelero.hu
driving in Hungary, driving regulations, parking, traffic signs, car accident, lawyer, legal assistance
Mariott Hotel Lobby
When you can’t take it any more… Stop your life for a couple of hours and become a lobby rat at Marriott Hotel Lobby. The place to pick up a free Budapest Sun. If there aren’t any in the lobby, go up the elevator to the third floor and there will be some at the door. Read more »
Holidays in Hungary
Hungarian Public Holidays and Special Events are listed and explained here.
Public holidays (when shops and schools are closed) are marked red. Read more »
Hungarian Food
Ingredients in Hungarian Food
Hungarian food is not particularly spicy; however, paprika seems to find itself into the majority of Hungarian foods. Paprika grows naturally in Hungary, especially in the east of the country which accounts for its liberal use in Hungarian food. Sour cream Read more »
Best Restaurants
There are McDonald’s and Burger Kings on almost every street corner. For those who want to try something new and different, there are Turkish (gyros, falafel) and oriental fast food joints on all the main streets, which serve delicious food (lots of veggies!). For a good Hungarian meal, try one of the Hungarian restaurants we recommend Read more »
Spend Time on Castle Hill, Buda Castle
Spend some time on Castle Hill: walk around the Castle District with the Buda Castle and Matthias Church.
Filled with quaint little cobblestone streets, historic buildings which are a couple hundred years old, the Castle, and Matthias Church. Read more »
Shepherd’s Food: Pörkölt and Gulyás
The finest Hungarian food comes out of the shepherd’s cauldron. Shepherds are actually famous for several different dishes, of which probably the best are the Hungarian stew (pörkölt) and goulash (gulyás). Read more »
Car Rentals
Renting a car in Budapest, Hungary. For the more adventurous who feel confident enough to try driving in Europe, Car rental is an option. Below are the recommended car and van rental companies. Read more »
Bus Schedules outside Budapest
The Hungarian Bus Transportation Company for intercity buses is called Volan.
To access the intercity bus schedule, click on this link: http://www.menetrendek.hu/cgi-bin/menetrend/html.cg » Read more »
Hungarian and International Train Schedules
MAV, the Hungarian Railway Company has a website where you can find out about all train traveling within Hungary. The Hungarian Railway website is www.elvira.hu. Click on ‘English’ and there you go.
Read more »
Cogwheel
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Ride the Cogwheel train. The cogwheel train is a cute mountain train that climbs up the Buda Hills from the Városmajor Park to Széchenyi hagy, where it connects the Children’s Train. The entire trip takes about 20 minutes. Take the #56 tram from Moszkva tér; only 2 stops for the cog-wheel train. Enjoy!
Forint Rises Again
The forint strengthened to a four-month high of 251.46 per euro in intense trading yesterday afternoon, due to closing of stop-loss positions and the successful government bond auction, according to a trader with ING bank. The currency closed at 158.82 per dollar, a new 11-year high. Read more »
Internet Service Providers
An easy way to take care of your internet installation is to use the services of Budapestadsl. For a friendly 10 euro fee, these English-speaking internet guys will help you choose the service most suitable for your location and needs, and they will take care of the entire registration and installation process on your behalf. Read more »
Look-out Tower (Kilátó) on Top of János hegy
Take the 101 step spiral staircase, and you reach the highest point of Budapest (529 m) where Erzsébet look-out tower (Erzsébet kilátó) was built. On very clear days it is possible to see the high Tatra hills in Slovakia to the North; the ‘normal’ view is also excellent. Read more »
Chair Lift (Libegő)
Budapest is a city with green hills within city limits; Budapest also has a Chair Lift to get you up to the top! Although the best view is on the way down, a Chair Lift ride is also a great way to start your journey into the hills. The upper station is at János hegy, from where there is a path Read more »
Children’s Train (Gyermekvasút) in the Buda Hills
Riding the Children’s Train and getting out at fun spots is a true nature experience in a city of 2 million people! The Children’s Train is named after its station and ticket controllers: the Budapest children! The single track mountain train Read more »
Cog-wheel Railway (Fogaskerekű)
The Cog-wheel Train (Fogaskerekű) is a cute mountain train that climbs u the Buda hills from the Városmajor Park (close to Moszkva tér) to Széchenyi hegy, where it connects with the Children’s Train. Children like the Cog-wheel Train a lot for its steep climb and nice views. Read more »
Cable Car (Sikló)
On the Buda side, across the Chain Bridge (Lánchíd), on the left side of the tunnel, you will find the this antique Cable-car that takes you up to the 60 meter high Castle district. It is interesting and fun for children to take the 2 minute ride. There is a really good view of the Chain Bridge, the Basilica, and the Pest side of the city. Read more »
All-day BKV Strike Set for April 18!
Employees of Budapest public transport company BKV have resolved to go on strike for the whole day on Friday, April 18, following unsuccessful talks on Wednesday. Read more »
Yahoo Buys Hungarian Software Maker
US internet company Yahoo announced that it had agreed to buy Hungarian firm Tensa, known as IndexTools, a producer of web marketing analytics software. Read more »
Spend the Day in the Green Hills of Buda
Buda is hilly and green for serious walking, caving, climbing, biking and riding the Children’s Train! Read more »
NEVER change money on the street
Keep extra Forints, enough for an unexpected cab ride or a meal – try to not have less than 2,000 HUF on you and your cell phone.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER change money on the street or in train stations! It is illegal and you can be sure to get badly ripped off. The best place to exchange cash is at the small money xchange shops in the big shopping centers, in Mammut or MOM park for example.
And, if someone asks to see your money to check if it’s correct – don’t be a fool to show them!
National Strategy for More Children
Social Affairs and Labour Minister Mónika Lamperth on Tuesday outlined the cabinet’s strategy to boost the birth rate. Read more »
Forint Strengthens to 3-month High
The forint strengthened to a three-month peak of Ft 253.3 per euro yesterday, riding an upbeat global mood. The forint hit 162.3 per US dollar, an 11-year high. Read more »
Hungarian Wine: Tokaji and Bikaver
Hungary holds more wine tradition than any other country in Europe. Most of this very tradition is just now surfacing in the light, with people finally starting to catch wind about everything Hungarian wine has to offer. Read more »
Gyurcsány Vows Moderate Reforms
A moderate reform policy that can be implemented is worth more than failed radical reforms, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány told an international press conference on Friday. Read more »
Thermal Baths to Relax and Enjoy
When you can’t take it any more… Soothe your aches in a Thermal Bath.
There are thermal springs all over Hungary. Budapest has over 100 natural thermal springs, gushing from the earth’s interior. Not only of varying temperatures, these springs have excellent mineral properties and have therapeutic value for certain complaints such as Read more »
WordPress FAQ
Below are a number of frequently asked questions regarding WordPress and WordPress themes.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a free content management system (CMS). WordPress makes creating and maintaining websites easy through an online interface. Read more »
This Site and How I Build it
The core structure of this website was constructed during timeless nights in the period of about two weeks. I am completely new to “real” website building, html and php. I built a few sites before with Yahoo SiteBuilder, which worked fine until my content became too much to handle on a static site. I needed to take a step forward and learn to build a CMS website. This site works for which I am more than thankful; I should share with you how it is done. Read more »
You Know You’re a Hungarian…
1. When you use sour cream more than ketchup.
2. When your parents come to visit for 3 weeks and you all stay in a one bedroom apartment.
3. When feeding your guests is your main priority even if they claim they’re not hungry and in which case you get slightly upset that they don’t want your hospitality.
My Website Wish-list
I have been looking and looking for the perfect CMS (content management system) website solution for about year to manage my growing content and to save time. Read more »
Hungarian Quote
Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.
- Albert Szent-Györgyi, Hungarian Biochemist, 1937 Nobel Prize for Medicine, 1893-1986
Hungarian Sheepdogs
Shepherd’s work of handling the vast flocks on the Puszta has been assisted by “man’s best friend”, intelligent, faithful and biddable sheepdogs who also had a part to play in relieving the solitude of the Puszta grasslands.
Typical Hungarian sheepdogs are the vigilant Puli, ideal for driving flocks, and the watchdog Kuvasz and Komondor breeds. Read more »
Euro of Europe
The Euro € is the single currency of most of the member states of the European Union, although there are some EU members like England with its British pound that refuse the Euro currency, or Hungary whose Read more »
János hegy
Idea for Fun in Budapest: Hike to János hegy and ride on the Children’s Train or take the Chair Lift to the top.
Family tip: Spend the Day in the Green Hills of Buda
Less Expensive and More Comfortable
Expatriate families are just recently discovering the south-western residential areas in the XI and XXII – including the southern part of Sasad, Madarhegy (Madárhegy) and Budafok within Budapest city limits, as well as suburbs such as Budaors (Budaörs), Torokbalint (Törökbálint) and Diosd (Diósd). You get ‘more house’ for your money here, and Read more »
Out alone at night
Women (in general) should not walk alone at night and should avoid public transportation alone at night. DO NOT make direct eye contact with men – it is seen as an invitation or as a challenge. Read more »
To be Safe
On your person:
The list is playing it on the safe side, but you can put most of these numbers on a single small card. It may also be a good idea to carry a little card in your wallet with the numbers of all members of your team. To carry this information and things even if you’re just running or walking somewhere would be a good idea:
1. A photocopy of the photo page of your passport.
2. The telephone numbers of your embassy.
3. The telephone number of someone at your company or school who can help you if needed.
4. The telephone number of a Hungarian friend who can help you if you get in a bind.
5. Your telephone number and your PRINTED address in Hungary. It is helpful to give this
to taxi drivers when they can’t understand your Hungarian.
6. Your permanent address and telephone number in your home country.
7. Your residency permit.
Jazz Clubs
Go check out a Jazz Club. They are listed in the Budapest Sun and Budapest Week each week with scheduled performers and so on. Try these: Read more »
Museums Worth a Visit in Budapest
Museums and exhibitions of interest – Find hours and special exhibits in any of the numerous guidebook or Budapest city information guide. Most museums are closed on Mondays. Many museums have a day that is free for the public. Read more »
Performing Arts
Hungary is a wonderful country of music and dance. There is a huge range of cultural entertainment to choose from in Budapest. Theater, opera, classical music concerts… not just good, but very affordable in Budapest. Read more »
The legendary Hungarian IQ is efficiently repressed by their lamentable EQ…– this is the Hungarian way of giving a sporting chance in life to other Europeans.
- Ardó Zsuzsanna in Love Blues
Villamos
Intercultural Competence
‘Oh the Hungarians, they are so arrogant! So ignorant! So proud, but of what?! And sooo depressed!’
When people get together from different cultures, they are often not as happy or content as they could be. Read more »
Libraries with English Books
Budapest Christian Library
Address: Gellert ter 1, 1111
Phone: +36 (1) 365 2483
Email: budapestlibrary@cs.com
Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library
- it now has the collection of the British Council Library
Address: 1088 Budapest, Szabó Ervin tér 1.
A great place to get books in English.
Website: www.fszek.hu
library, English books, reading, Budapest Christian Library, British Council Library, Ervin Szabo Library
Travel Agencies
Aeroviva Utazási Iroda, a travel agency that also has a super friendly English speaking staff. Besides the fact that they have complimentary chocolate bars at their front desk, they are efficient and can be your first choice. Discount travel, gift certificates. They work hard to find troublesome tickets. From Deák tér go to Károly körút and it will be on the left a couple blocks down.
Address: 1075 Budapest, Károly krt. 11.
Phone: (+36-1) 4-86-86-86
Fax: (+36-1) 4-86-86-00
Email: aeroviva@aeroviva.com;
Website: www.aeroviva.com
ConnecTicket Utazási Ügynökség, Bernadett Molnar; They speak good English. Great for last minute!
Address: 1052 Budapest, Szép utca 2.
Phone: (+36-1) 317-3717
Fax: (+36-1) 483-1826
Email: connecticket@mail.galileo.hu;
Travel Unlimited has been a favorite with friendly and helpful service. Also offers inexpensive air tickets. Red metro to Astoria and it’s on the second floor of the West
Business Center. Karen Bryce (owner)
Address: Rákóczi út 1-3. East-West Office Center, Karen Bryce (owner);
Phone: (+36-1) 266-8919;
Fax: (+36-1) 266-6875
Email: travelunlimited@pronet.hu;
Website: www.travelunlimited.hu
Vista Travel busy place, but cheap air ticket.
Address: MOM Park, level1, shop #63, 1123 Budapest, Alkotás út 53/a
Phone: +36 (1) 201 4546
Fax: +36 (1) 201 4551
Email: mompark@vista.hu or airtickets@vista.hu;
Website: www.vista.hu
