Budapest / Hungary

 When the flow of the Danube changes from east and west to north and south, it is a sign that you are approaching Budapest, the capital of Hungary. I have never seen a city that coexists in harmony with the river Danube better than Budapest. In ancient times, the Hungarians moved from the Urals and settled here. The city, once occupied by the Mongol Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the House of Habsburg and the Soviet Union, survived many adversities to flourish even today.

1) Hungarians (the Magyars)
 While living in Budapest, I have felt a strong sense of friendship toward the Hungarians. This might be Hungarian people, who have a totally different ethnic and linguistic background from the inhabitants of neighboring countries, exude a sense of conscientiousness similar to Japanese people. Hungarians have probably retained some Asian DNA. When they hold a meeting, Hungarians go directly to the point without any lighthearted small talk.
The Hungarians have very friendly attitude toward Japan, which is probably because they associate Japan with favorable images that is the home of miraculous economic recovery and innovative technology, and a country that has a culture based on animation and comics.

2) The Hungarian language
 The Hungarian language is also called Magyar. This is the language spoken exclusively by Hungarians. I have encountered a lot of trouble studying this language. The other day, I bought a vacuum cleaner and I did not understand a single word the clerk was saying. Nor did I understand the instruction manual. This caused me to become quickly concerned, and my worst fears were realized three weeks later when the vacuum cleaner broke down. When I brought the cleaner to the shop, I was simply told (or so I imagined) to go to the service center listed on the guarantee card. I took time off work during the week and went to the service center and negotiated with the person in charge in Hungarian (!!). Although I managed to communicate my request, I realized that I had to wait almost forever before the cleaner would be repaired (Hungarians have not quite achieved the sense of providing a high level of service). Isn’t a vacuum cleaner an everyday item? I ended up buying a new one, on the verge of tears. (I have been studying Hungarian since I arrived here. But I feel there is no hope that I will ever become proficient.).

3) Culinary delights
 Food is the topic we cannot avoid discussing. In Hungary, there is no fish available because the country is landlocked. This is quite reasonable, but it is very difficult for a Japanese person to endure. Despite this disadvantage, Hungary produces many delicious dishes prepared using meat, sugar, and red, orange or yellow bell peppers (paprika).
This time, I would like to speak about Kürtoskalács (tunnel-shape pastry). It is a charcoal-baked pastry frosted with sugar and the dough, together with butter, is wrapped around a wide wood stick when baking. This is an ideal confection in the winter. I recommend tasting it at a food stall on a cold winter’s day while gazing over the illuminated streets during Christmas. Its extremely delicious taste and glutinous texture is sure to delight you! A glass of warm, moderately sweet wine, a famous treat in Hungary, can add the perfect touch to this culinary delight. When you visit Hungary, please remember to try this combination. 

Saint Stephen's Basilica, illuminated by Christmas lights. After 50 years of construction, it was completed in 1905. You can never miss its extremely gorgeous interior and the mummified fist (right hand) of Saint Stephen I, the first King of Hungary, housed in the basilica. A street florist shop. It is located in a picturesque tram terminal. The very famous scene of Szechenyi Chain Bridge and Buda Castle. Winter in Budapest is icy cold. This is Kürtoskalács (tunnel-shape pastry). It looks good, doesn't it?

Marubeni Group magazine "M-SPIRIT" VOL.47 (Sept. 2008)