Budapest Local Customs

2 more images

during this second fortnight of september Budapest has sounded in all news around the world for demonstrations and assaults to the public Tv.. i saw some of these demonstrations in front of the parliament where "lives" the socialist prime minister.. the demonstrations has been promoted by Fidesz (the right wing political party in hungary) .. they claim against the prime cos he said in a radio station that lied about the economical status of Hungary in order to win the past elections.. there are other things that people doesnt like but its an imperative question if Hungary wish join EU.. its just question of time that people accept that !

Like some Asians, the Hungarians use their names in reverse order with the given name last and the family name first.

Also roman numbers are preferable to normal numbers for use in floor levels, months and districts of their cities. In demonations of thousands, they will also leave a space instead of using a comma.

1 more image

There are almost no villages in Hungary where there is no embroidery.

Foreign nuns brought the current embroidery stitches of the Western cultures to Hungary and locals enriched them with new stitches and designs called URIHIMZES...

It was a combination of Turkish and Italian renaissance. From the renaissance comes the symmetry, the delicate rythm of floral motifs between the tendrils and the exuberant floral centerpieces. From turkish designs come the assymetrical compositions, crossing lines, the simplystic floral drawings, and the very stylised cypress and flower bushes.

The oldest embroidery that is still to be seen in Hungary is the robe of the first King of Hungary, Stephen I. You can see it in the Hungarian National Museum. The wife of the king helped embroider the rich golden silk robe.

Young girls learned to embroider very early and didn't marry until they had their trousseau..

Prices are cheaper in the country side...and they are more hand made than in town..

Well, where ever you go you will see this little bomb shaped bottle which feature a golden cross on the front call UNICUM....now the taste of it..uhmmmm I am not a drinker so this taste pretty awful to say the least..:)))).....

Anyway... I have heard that Unicum is an acquired taste..and drunk mostly in Hungary and by Hungarians.....not one of my favorite memories of Hungary...LOL......

All it is ..is a skilful blend of more than 40 carefully selected herbs and spices. The lengthy ageing process which takes place over 6 months in oak casks gives Unicum its inimitable bitter-sweet flavour and exotic bouquet. It makes a perfect aperitif or dessert drink due to its beneficial and soothing effect on the stomach.

If you are brave try it at least once.....:)...

3 more images

At any of the souvenir shops in town or in the country you will find folk costumes ....These first became popular in the first half of the 19th century, during the Reform Period. The original simple embroidery in blue and red (these were the only colours for which plant dyes were available), which were intended to express national identity, were replaced by colourful garments with varied patterns by the last century...

In the rural world every item had its significance; garments and hats revealed their owner's place of origin and rank..the folk costumes seen today were used at festive occasions, while for work, very simple hempen clothes and sandals, rather than boots, were worn.

if your English, don't be a typical brit and make no effort to learn some of the language. just "thank you" and "please" will do. It makes a difference.

also, if you already know German, it's a bonus as for some reason here people know german. So use that when English is no good.

Budapest residents don't go out to breakfast, although they sometimes buy pastries or similar items from kiosks. Most tourists do get breakfast included with room cost, but we had an apartment and didn't want to cook breakfast every day. We found a terrific sandwich shop open at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays.

There are at least three loactions in Budapest, one of them located just about opposite St. Stephen's cathedral. Addresses are given in the website. The sandwiches are beautifully created and arranged, and they are quite inexpensive.

Pay a visit at the Central Market, close to Szabadsag bridge on the Pest side. The building is impressive and nice, though highly contaminated by an impressive number of tourists looking for artcrafts. If you stay on the ground floor, well you will have a cleare picture of Hungaruian food and way of life. For example, you will notice an impressive number of different kinds of smoked salami> worth trying!