Why, hello there. I am so happy to meet you!
Allow me to introduce myself. I am the new Worth1000. Is this your first time meeting the new me? We should get reacquainted then. So many things are different about me now. Come and learn more :).
Also to all hungarian worthers. I need your help.
List of things I know about Hungary:
1) They have cheap beer.
2) They are nice people.
Also: I'm going there very soon, staying one week in Budapest and one week by lake Balaton. I am really looking forward to it, but since I dont know of anyone who's been there in the last 30 years, I have absolutely no idea what to expect of the country.
So Worth1000, I ask you: What is there to do in Hungary? Whats Hungary like? How are they doing after the Soviet Union fell? Where do the cool kids of Budapest hang out?
I'll bring with me two things: my camera, and a homemade 70's style skateboard- a longboard. If you know any good spots to use either of those, I want to know about it. If you know of any good restaurants, beautiful places, or other interesting fun-facts, tell me. I'm open to your suggestions even if you've never been there.
Your list has to be updated: The cheap beer tastes like urine, and the people is rather depressed. We're hungarians, you know. I saw some nice people last week though, they were all tourists. But here is some advices for you:
For the camera:
The usual tourist spots, like the Citadella, Gellért's Hill, the Castle and Halászbástya (Fishermen's Bastion) in Buda. Margit's Isle is ideal for jogging, and there are several pools and the entire island is a large park. There's the Vásárcsarnok (V. Budapest, Fővám körút 1-3), a lovely marketplace with a dozens of little restaurants on the 2nd floor. You can take the Moszkva tér > 'Hűvösvölgy' > Kisvasút (Little railway) > János-hegyi kilátó (lookout) > Libegő (like a ski-lift) > Moszkva tér scenic circuit. Visit one of the bath houses. The Gellért, Rácz or Széchenyi are the best. The latter is in Városliget, the largest public park of the city.
The unusual tourist spots, like the ghettos in parts of district VI., VIII., IX., X., are nearly not as dangerous as they seem, and they have a _certain_ feeling, if you come from the western part of the world.
If you are a collector of some kind, take a look at the flea market at Ecseri square (XIX. Budapest, Nagykőrösi út 156.).
For the skateboard:
I'm way too old for this stuff (ehm), but try 'Hősök tere' (Heroes' Square) at Városliget or the subway entrance near the 'Nyugati pályaudvar' (Western Railway Terminal), the one that is at the side of the huge mall called 'Western City Center'. I usually see there kids with boards hanging around at late afternoon/night, they should know places.
Avoid tourist infested places like Váci utca (str), or Vörösmarty tér (sqr) or Duna korzó, or the vicinity of any of the fancy hotels. The shops and restaurants costs there twice the normal.
If you plan to use public transportation buy weekly ticket (hetijegy). There are lot of conductors hunting for tourists, so it's better to have some kind of ticket.
Also check out the american embassy's blacklist (you can find useful phone numbers too): link
Good pubs
Szilvuplé - VI. Budapest, Ó utca 33. (link)
West Balkán - VIII. Budapest, Kisfaludy utca 36.
A38 - An ex-Ukranian stone-carrier ship, near bridge Petőfi. (link)
Good restaurants
Ristorante Krizia - VI. Budapest, Mozsár u.12.
Andreas Dionysos Taverna - V. Budapest, Belgrád rakpart 16.
Szeráj - V. Budapest, Szent István körút 13.
Szinbád - V. Budapest, Markó u. 33
Remiz - II. Budapest, Budakeszi út 5. (link)
and there are loads of fast-food restaurants if you like junk food.
(here's a good electronic map for the adresses: link or an even better link with public transportation informations. You can find internet cafes everywhere, but look for the bookstores called Libri, or the telecommunications firm Matáv's bigger shops. Matáv placed several internet terminals at the bigger malls too.)
Have a good time!
(For lake Balaton I can't say much, i haven't been there since 1975, so no idea. It's just a lot of water, after all. I heard, there are very few visitors because of this cold summer. It may be good if there is no crowd, but then no girls either, and only every fifth shop is open.)
[Edited by User on 7/20/2004 5:24:56 AM]
No, I love you.
Some updates. The most popular hungarian portal made a survey just yesterday about the better underground pubs. Some of them, with the thumbs up result:
Mumus Udvar - VII. Budapest, Kisdiófa u. 16.
Mokkacuka! - III. Budapest, Hajógyári-sziget (Shipyard Isle, after bridge 'K')
Kultiplex - IX. Budapest, Kinizsi utca 28
Szóda- VII. Budapest, Dob u. 19.[/url]
Szimpla - VII. Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14.
Great stuff. Thanks.
One thing though: Language. DeadElvis' link says your language doesn't resemble anyone elses. I see you definitely speak english, how about your fellow countrymen? Is german more common? I'm usually able to communicate in some way or another anyway, so I dont think it will be to much of a problem.
Again, thanks for your help, its much appreciated.
Now, that is a problem. My generation was among the last ones, which were taught Russian in elementary school. It was compulsory, so they practically made us hate to learn languages. I am really sorry now, that I remember only a few russian words. Despite (or because) of our long history with Austria and Germany we don't speak german either. Do not expect anybody over 35 to speak any foreign languages. On the other hand, with the quick spread of the internet the younger generations now learn mainly english, and italian or spanish secondarily for some obscure reason. So if you need help, try asking somebody who looks like a university student. Or has large breasts. No, wait, try asking university students with large breasts. The above mentioned pubs are usually stuffed with students.
Made me think of this:
Not in Hungary, in England.
I took the pic out the window of my car when I was driving to Cambridge.
On 7/19/2004 5:39:28 PM, Galoot said:
Bring lots of vowels.
Lots of bowels?? Aren't 10 meters enough??
