Hungarian differences

Today we will have a discussion of the differences between life in Hungary and the US.

Let me clarify that I am by no means being critical; just observant.

A majority of the cars are diesel, most buses and trams are electric. Hungarians do not believe in warming up vehicles, they start them and immediately lurch off. They often turn vehicles off at stop lights.

Motor cycles and scooters are everywhere. The dash between cars, cut across several lanes of traffic and often drive down the center of the streets reserved for trams. Emergency vehicles do the same thing.

Scooter owners prescribe to the theory that the louder your scooter is; the faster it will go. I also prescribe to this theory. It's hilarious to see a tiny scooter roaring slowly down the street.

All of the electricity is 220V. The blender and radio we bought will not work in the US. Actually they will work but not correctly. The blender will only turn at 1/2 speed and the radio will only get Rush Limbaugh stations.

The trams, subways and buses are amazingly clean.

Street cleaners work day and night. There are trash containers everywhere. Some street sweepers still use stick brooms.

It is not uncommon to see a mother let her child, male or female, relieve themselves most anywhere.

There are some homeless people around but not nearly as many as you see in Chicago or Philadelphia.

There are fruit and vegetable stands everywhere, at least one coffee house in every block and a 0 - 24 in every block.

Houses do not have clothes dryers but you never see clothes hanging on lines.

Dry cleaners are almost non-existent.

There has to be at least one bank for every Hungarian.

Bicycles generally are ridden on sidewalks, dodging pedestrians.

Scooters often drive on sidewalks.

The streets are very narrow, cars often park on the sidewalks.

Trash is picked up several times a week.

They use the cool sirens on emergency vehicles like in England.

Tipping more than 10% is not necessary.

Restaurant service is extremely Relaxed. Bob Schultze would love it here.

Bleach is not a big deal, neither is sliced turkey or ice.

Hungarians had never mixed vodka with lemonade, now called a Scottcollins.

Tomorrow we are heading toward the Danube Bend to the village of Szentendre. We are going to visit Viktoria and Thamas and have a garden lunch. We will take the HEV train from Budapest in the morning and return in the late afternoon. Should be lots of photo ops.

Here are a few pictures of a general nature. Garderobe is the coat check.