Impressions from Hungary
First a very brief description of what I saw and at the end some conclusions.
1. Budapest - definitely one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. After 5 days in Budapest I like it more than Vienna and it will probably number 3 in a top, behind Paris and Rome. It resembles Vienna but it is more friendly and more oriental.One can walk for days in Buda and in the old neighbourhoods of Pest and find thousands of beautiful buildings, little squares and oleanders. The Jewish neighbourhood is superb, prettier than in Prague - the synagogue is absolutely impressive, built by 2 catholic architects in a pure catholic style. The Jewish museum next to it is very interesting - however one finds there a darker part of Hungarian history, largely put aside and to some point denied in the Hungarian National Museum. I will talk about it later. THe Heroes Square is very impressive, reminded me about Brandeburg gate. We saw there is a copy of Hunyad Castle, but we didnt visited - however from what I saw the facades are much more modern than the original castle in Hunedoara. Szecheny baths next to the copy of the Hunyad Castle are excellent.
Vaci utca is lovely, however it is always crowded - thousands of tourists walk on this narrow street, and many of the shops around it are kitsch. The area around the Parliament is monumental indeed, the Etnography Museum, the National Bank of Hungary.
There are of course museums everywhere. The one on the Royal palace, on the hill of Buda has some nice paintings, but not very impressive. The Museum of Nice arts holds a nice Egyptian exhibition, and thousands and thousands of Renaissance paintings. It has a Picasso, a Monet, Alfred Sisley, one Gauguin - but these paintings are strangely put on a secondary, small corridor and noone knows about it. We also visited the Hungarian National Museum in Kalvin ter - a museum of history, much to comment it :-) . We saw the Museum of Medicine, a very nice place. The Museum of Eastern Arts - Ferenc Hopp is a very exotic, but a beautiful museum - exhibition with objects from the far east, mostly China, Tibet and so on. However the most impressive museum remains the House of terror - built recently, holds a very harsh exhibition on Nazism and Communism. The exhibition starts with Trianon, the growth of revisionism and antisemitism and enters brutally in the second world war showing movies with Jewish corpses pushed by buldosers, Hungarian officers shooting Jew newborns, pieces of soap made from humans, Horthy's discourses - the hanging of Szalasi. The next part is the communist terror- the annihilation of intelectuals, of the Catholic Church, of all democratic ideas. The Hungarian Revolution from 1956 is largely depicted - in those rooms it is presented an official document were the United States declare that democratic Hungary is not its ally and that it understands the Russian attack. Sad. There are 2 rooms one next to the other showing the difference between the East and the West - poverty, prisons, state economy compared with casinos, Marilyn Monroe, the Beatles and sky-crappers. In the basement they reconstructed some communist cells, with the names of those who died during those years. And at the very end there is a shame list - the names of those who worked for the Nazis or the Communists. Many of them are still alive...
Speaking about Communism and Russians there is a beautiful square behind the Parliament, with Classical imposing buildings and a large garden and in the center we saw a monument dedicated to the Soviet soldier, the monument is surrounded by a wall - so it was impossible to come nearer than 10 metres. It is to mention that this horrible monument is places just in front of the American embassy.
Prices are low compared to Romania, even in the Westend Mall, next to the Nyugati station. Food is cheap and very tasty, however the traditional Hungarian dishes exist also in Romania, for historic reasons. Public transportation can be a problem - you cant buy a 7days BKV-pass, for unknown causes (allthough Hungarian can buy it), a ticket is about 1 EUR and you need a ticket for every metro line or bus used, and it is available for only an hour. The network of public transportation is large (a bit smaller than in Bucharest) and very useful.
Speaking English is certainly not the best way to communicate with people in Hungary, unfortunately not even in Budapest (English is almost unknown in Pecs or Esztergom). Instead German is a much better option. We had many problems, especially in railway stations, museums, BKV selling points, post offices and so on.
2. Pecs - certainly a beautiful small town in Southern Hungary, near the border with Croatia. Indeed it has a touch of Mediterranean; full of tourists- 99% of them Hungarians. It hasnt become yet a tourist hot spot, so it is pleasant to walk in the old town. However this can also cause troubles: the museums dont have a minimum information in English or some other language (except for Hungarian of course), the nearest tourist information point (there were 3 girls there who dont English) is 3 km away from the railway station. The maps from the tourist information point in the center of the city were black and white copies of a coloured detailed material (written of course in Hungarian), so the map didnt help us at all. Luckily the old center is small, so you cant miss the museums or the churches.
Hungarian railways MAV have similar prices compared to the Romanian railways, but the quality of the service is slightly better in Hungary.
The typical old communist selling woman (in railways, post offices, museums) is as bad as in Romania. This is probably a feature of ex Communist countries.
3. Esztergom - very nice place, a mignon city, the former capital of Hungary. Stonishing view of the Basilica from the Danube, the city center reminded me of the saxon towns in Transylvania. It is also nice to walk on the Danube bridge and cross the frontier on the other side, the Slovak city of Sturovo. There is nothing interesting to see there, but the view over Esztergom is beautiful. Like in Pecs, there is a tourist map in the railway station and another in the city center (3 km away from the railway station). There are no English materials in the Basilica or in the Museums in Esztergom. Unfortunately.
Quote:3. Esztergom - very nice place, a mignon city, the former capital of Hungary. Stonishing view of the Basilica from the Danube, the city center reminded me of the saxon towns in Transylvania. It is also nice to walk on the Danube bridge and cross the frontier on the other side, the Slovak city of Sturovo. There is nothing interesting to see there, but the view over Esztergom is beautiful. Like in Pecs, there is a tourist map in the railway station and another in the city center (3 km away from the railway station). There are no English materials in the Basilica or in the Museums in Esztergom. Unfortunately.
man, Dankat talk no bs, he been there. What u think of the veiw of Parkany (Sturovo)??? ugly factories and panel houses yeah?
See how we Hungarians have good taste. we Not mongol disease spreaded are we? anyway Dankat if u having a good time in Hungary then stay in Hungary longer, you need a good peace of mind and wisdom.
karsli Registered User
Posts: 6
(8/12/07 11:46 am)
Yes, both mosques in Pecs...the bigger one in the center of the city, transformed into a church. I lked that the citizens of Pecs wanted to preserve the Muslim architecture of this monument and they rebuilt it in 1930. THe smaller one was closed or we didnt find the entrance.
Sturovo is a industrial city...probably a village transformed by communists into a city...nothing impressive there...just a small square with some shops. We've tried to buy something traditional from Slovakia, but we didnt find one. We saw just some pig-toys, but I dont think this was traditional.
Question: Why Slovakia uses the same state symbol as Hungary?
Quote:anyway Dankat if u having a good time in Hungary then stay in Hungary longer, you need a good peace of mind and wisdom
I've been thinking about that...The Language seems really difficult.
However there are some common words with Romanian:
Re: hey
dankat, why don't you say it that Romania's potential is much, much bigger, Romanians will be richer in 3 years than Hungarians (I mean the wages which are now 30% smaller in Romania).
Re: Impressions from Hungary
dankat I'm happy you liked Budapest, i spent my weekend in Slovenia (went there on Friday came back some 3 hours ago), honestly i'm not too happy i had to come back, that country is a real jewel
continue you travelog, i want to hear your opinion about our country and ppl
Re: Impressions from Hungary
Hello yeniceri...Slovenia is indeed a jewel...I went there 11 years ago it was trully a beautiful and modern country, even back then. The leader of Eastern Europe in all cases...
Continuing about my travel:
- a bad thing about Budapest is the great number of beggars - my impression is there are more frequent than in Bucharest, albeit more ''civilised''. The sadest picture I have in mind is an old couple, sleeping near a Swiss watches shop very close to St Stephen Basilica - it was already 11 PM and we saw the old woman covering his husband with some papers.
- about Hungarians - our Romanian origin didnt anger anyone. There are many, many Romanians (some of Hungarian origin) travelling in Budapest. In many shops we had the surprise of finding Romanian sellers. I think Hungarians are more styled and polite and civilised and modern than Romanians overall. There are of course some bad examples we saw there, but these are just exceptions. Most of them intended to be very useful, but the language barrier as I wrote earlier proved to be a problem. Maybe Hungarians are a bit colder, closer to the Germanic attitude. The transylvanian issue never accured in our talks, noone was really interested in the subject.
Quote:Yes, both mosques in Pecs...the bigger one in the center of the city, transformed into a church. I lked that the citizens of Pecs wanted to preserve the Muslim architecture of this monument and they rebuilt it in 1930.
probably that's 1 of the good reason that Pecs is becoming a culture capital of Europe, cause Pecs is a bit of a oriental style with muslim artitect.
Quote:
THe smaller one was closed or we didnt find the entrance.
Hassan Jakovali mosque?? what i've know is that this small mosque normally opens for jumuah (friday prayer) more than as a tourist attraction.
Quote:Sturovo is a industrial city...probably a village transformed by communists into a city
still a village Dankat, i went all around. nothing city about that, just a small village flooded with magyarised cigany.
Quote:nothing impressive there...just a small square with some shops. We've tried to buy something traditional from Slovakia, but we didnt find one. We saw just some pig-toys, but I dont think this was traditional.
of course nothing impressive, nothing interesting there, except the swimming pool. Tell me Dankat, u didnt go to Nana station did ya?? around Nana area, flooded with gypsies and it's not a very friendly area.
Quote:Question: Why Slovakia uses the same state symbol as Hungary?
now that is the good question, probably because slovakia had been artificially created out from Hungary and they probably feel more closer to magyars than they are to czech. second thing i heard about is that the slovak flag has been originated in hungary but im not sure. As you heard many times that there never been any slovak identity till after the 18th century. HHHmmm i can compare Hungary and Slovakia the same like Romania with Moldova and North Korea with South Korea, so slovakia issue is a bit politically like Romania and Moldova issue for Hungary.
Quote:I've been thinking about that...The Language seems really difficult.
it's because majority of the language are pretty intellect. In Hungary in reality is a intellectual nation, wisdom and intellect people are found there even gypsies there are smart ass.
I couldnt even finished the Hungarian school cause it too high, i have too finish it in australia.
I think the whole of Hungary is beautiful and the Hungarians are blessed to have a capital to be proud of. Not all people are that lucky.
Quote:I wouldnt even move my lips to spit on some of the albs on this board
- Desire yearning
OszkarSzilva7 Moderator
Posts: 425
(8/13/07 1:09 pm)
Re: Impressions from Hungary
Thanks for this great post Dankat . You write very well
and could even write for professional travel book I beleive.
Yes I was blown away when I first visited Budapest I expected it to be reasonably nice but I first saw the city at nighttime from Gellert hill and it is really spectacular.
I can say Budapest was even more beautiful than I expected.
Quote: Prices are low compared to Romania, even in the Westend Mall, next to the Nyugati station. Food is cheap and very tasty
wow this is suprising and good to hear. I know the food is tasty but I am suprised to hear prices lower than Romania.
I meant its good to hear prices are low cause I thought maybe things did become much more expensive from the lasttimes I was in Hungary.
Quote:The sadest picture I have in mind is an old couple, sleeping near a Swiss watches shop very close to St Stephen Basilica - it was already 11 PM and we saw the old woman covering his husband with some papers.
yes this is very sad image for anyone, but especially elderly couple to think they must prbably lost everything they own through whatever circumstances. God Bless them.
Quote:Maybe Hungarians are a bit colder, closer to the Germanic attitude
Yes eeem I think on the surface in public Hungarians can have the polite reservedness bit like English and maybe Northern/Central Germans but still for the guest or distant/ close relative the Hungarian Hospitality is very warm and generous.
Quote:- about Hungarians - our Romanian origin didnt anger anyone.
Thats good and thats how it should be and I am glad you enjoyed your stay.
Quote:I think the whole of Hungary is beautiful and the Hungarians are blessed to have a capital to be proud of. Not all people are that lucky
.
Thankyou Anittas. I remember the pics you posted of Iasi I dont know if I said it in that time but really it looks like very beautiful place.
Quote:2. Pecs - certainly a beautiful small town in Southern Hungary, near the border with Croatia. Indeed it has a touch of Mediterranean;
Glad you liked Pecs its shame you didnt make it to Szeged
where my family is from, its another beautiful southern Hungarian city. Its reasonably big city but more chilled out atmosphere than Budapest.
VAISVA Registered User
Posts: 19
(8/13/07 5:55 pm)
Re: Impressions from Hungary
Hey dankat:
Why didn't you take the train?
Re: Impressions from Hungary
Szeged was not programmed; some say it is the most beautiful city in Banat. Maybe some other time.
So vaisva to clarify the situation of the train:
- 1 hour buying tickets for international transportation - 5 minutes for planes
- 1 hour to arrive at the railway station in Bucharest
- 12 hours to travel
- 1 hour delay at the Hu-Ro border
total 15 hours / cost 75 EUR per person
By plane:
- arriving at the airport 3 hours before departure
- 1 hour the flight itself
- 10 minutes - luggage + custom control
- 25 minutes local train from Budapest Airport to Nyugati railway station
total 5 hours / cost 50 EUR per person
What would we choose?
When you travel from London to Romania what do you use?
VAISVA Registered User
Posts: 22
(8/13/07 9:20 pm)
Re: Impressions from Hungary
Quote:So vaisva to clarify the situation of the train:
- 1 hour buying tickets for international transportation - 5 minutes for planes
- 1 hour to arrive at the railway station in Bucharest
- 12 hours to travel
- 1 hour delay at the Hu-Ro border
total 15 hours / cost 75 EUR per person
By plane:
- arriving at the airport 3 hours before departure
- 1 hour the flight itself
- 10 minutes - luggage + custom control
- 25 minutes local train from Budapest Airport to Nyugati railway station
total 5 hours / cost 50 EUR per person
This is wrong as you buy tickets in advance anyway, so they don't count towards travel times. Therefore you need 14 hours for the train. And also you forgot that you need almost 1 hour to travel to the airport, therefore you need 6 hours for the plane. And you forgot the transfer tickets which as 10 Euros per person each way, therefore 50+40=90 Euros.
Now you are asleep for 8-9 hours on the train, therefore train travel is effectively 14-8 or9=5or6 hours at the cost of 75Euros per person. With the plane it is 6 hours per person at the cost of 90Euros per person. And let's not mention that the train is far more comfortable, and the scenery is so much more interesting from the train. And to cap it all off: you have the annoying restrictions on a plane: i.e. you cannot take this, you cannot take that, you cannot do this.
It is totally a no-brainer: I'd take the train every time!
Quote:When you travel from London to Romania what do you use?
I am comming and going back by train: the plane sucks. And I get a day in Vienna too if I come by train.
Re: Impressions from Hungary
you should come with EasyJet it's 19 pounds to Bucharest or even cheaper. In 3 h you're in Bucharest. Unless you have special reduction for trains..
Quote:Now you are asleep for 8-9 hours on the train
except if he choose a train which go 6 am from Bucharest... then he will have 14 boring hours... and not everybody can sleep 8-9 hours in a train, its not the most comfortable place.. train is ok for shorter distances (2-4 hours max) but for longer ones it sux.
Quote:train is ok for shorter distances (2-4 hours max) but for longer ones it sux.
when i travel from nyugati station to Nana station in slovakia 3 years ago, it was still too much for me and i spent most of my time on the train smoking nothing else.
OszkarSzilva7 Moderator
Posts: 426
(8/14/07 8:49 am)
Re: Impressions from Hungary
Quote:I am comming and going back by train: the plane sucks. And I get a day in Vienna too if I come by train.
really Vaisa how long does that take and how does it compare by cost to plane.
VAISVA Registered User
Posts: 25
(8/14/07 5:50 pm)
Re: Impressions from Hungary
Quote:then he will have 14 boring hours
Excuse me! T The scenery is highly fascinating. Wash that mouth of yours with soap before you say such distgusting words!
Shame on you, and I don't think I have ever felt more deeply insulted.
Quote:its not the most comfortable place..
It is more comfortable than a plane. And you can wash yourself, brush your teeth and have a good, comfortable night's sleep on a train, as long as you have a flat bed.
Quote:(2-4 hours max) but for longer ones it sux.
NO! Car and plane journeys suck. Train journeys never suck.
What u think of the veiw of Parkany (Sturovo)??? ugly factories and panel houses yeah?
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