There are some things I really like about Hungary

*The language has respect and politeness built into it. For example, there are special greetings you use for older people that demonstrate respect. Also, and I think this is kind of weird but I also kind of like it, when people walk into the locker room at the gym they say hi to everyone that is there ("Sziastok!" - see-yuh-stoak). Even though they don't know each other.
*The cityscape is gorgeous. The architecture is wonderful and every view of the river is dramatic, no matter which direction you are looking.
*Food items are really cheap (for the most part). Last night I went to the supermarket and I bought the following: three bread rolls, honey, two large bottles of water, three cereal bars, tofu, Turokrem (a dessert treat that Peter likes...kind of a sweet cottage cheese with "fruit" on the bottom)and one other thing but I can't think of it right now. Anyway, the whole thing cost about 1200HUF - less than $6 USD.
*The public transportation is phenomenal! I have rarely waited more than two or three minutes for a streetcar, one minute for the subway and five or six minutes for the bus. And, there is public transportation available in every corner of the city so everything is really accessible.
*It's a lively city. People are out and about at all hours and in all places. The gym is always busy, the supermarket is always crowded, the buses are always packed, restaurants full, movie theaters bustling. Maybe it is because it is summer time but people seem to really love to be outside here.
*People seem really generous. Since coming home, Peter has not been able to buy a car. He has been trying but for various reasons it hasn't happened yet. But we have not been without a car! First Laci and Kriszta lent him their "girlie" Toyota Yaris. We had that for more than a month. Then Peter's cousins went to France for two weeks so we had their car for that time (a minivan!). Then when they came back, Laci and Kriszta lent us the Yaris again. Now that we are going off on our road trip, they are taking back the Yaris and loaning us their other family car in part because it is bigger and we will be more comfortable with all the driving. Honestly, I cannot imagine someone in the US loaning me their second car for almost two months! When my Pathfinder died in May 2002, Mel was out of town and she loaned me her car for the time she was gone so I could get around and shop for a new car! I couldn't believe her willingness to do it - her car was brand new, too! But other than that, I cannot think of a time when someone actually loaned me their car for any length of time. I am coming home and I won't have a car and it wouldn't even occur to me to ask someone if I can borrow one of their extra cars! Anyway, maybe not having much makes people more willing to share. Whatever it is, I like it.
*The food. Okay, I don't really love all the food. The meat products freak me out and most things have meat (you should see the meat section in the supermarket!). But the soups are really delicious. Especially the fruit soup. And as you know, I love the szendvics-turo (cottage cheese) and the turorudi (chocolate covered cottage cheese dessert). In fact, anything with cheese here is good. They seem to like cheese a lot and the cheese they use is really quit delicious. Same with mushrooms.
* I like the fact that everyone brings their own bag to the market. You see, they charge you extra for a plastic bag so most people bring their own. I remember sometime in the last year, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors was going to initiate a program in SF that was going to make shoppers pay 5cents for a bag at the grocery store (and of course the money goes to the city). This was supposed to encourage people to bring their own bags and raise some money for the city. I remember thinking it was a ridiculous idea. Not because I don't believe people should bring their own bags, I do. But it seemed like a weird kind of tax when the money from it was not even going to be spent to do things like clean up the environment. It was merely to fill the city's coffers. It seemed misdirected. Now, if the supermarket wants to charge people, good for them. I actually think it's a great idea. And that's what they do here in Hungary. Also, I think the 5cents means more here than it does in the US. Anyway, I like it. People literally walk around with wicker baskets. You know, the kind people in San Francisco buy at Sur la Table for $50 and the Hungarians buy at the local market for about $5.
* It seems that there are flower shops on every corner. I love this. It makes every block so bright and pretty (even though they are pretty dirty!). I am not sure how they all stay in business - I don't see too many people actually walking around with cut flowers. Nonetheless, it adds a nice touch to the city. There is one spot, near the city cemetery, that has at least 12 flower stands all in a row - literally right next to each other. Makes for an interesting competitive environment, don't you think?
* Cell phone service. Back in the US, Peter always complained about the ridiculous cell phone coverage - or lack thereof - in the US. Godforbid you drove anywhere even remotely rural and forget about getting a signal. "Can you hear me now?" Not usually. And he always bragged about cell phone service in Hungary. I figured this was just part of the Hungarian chest-beating he likes to do. But in fact he is right. No matter where you are - atop the highest hills, in an underground cave, out in the prairie - you get reception. Of course, I had nobody to talk to on the phone, because if I was in any of these places, Peter was with me. But I was able to send and receive a lot of text messages.
*Peter. Of course this is the thing I love best about Hungary. But I went into some of that yesterday so I will spare you again today!

SZIA MAGYARORSZAG!
That's "Goodbye Hungary!" to you! Okay, so I am not leaving quite yet. But today is my last day at work and so my last blog entry from this fair city on the Danube River (they call it the Duna).

Sunday Peter and I head off on our little trip. And one week from today I board the plane back to the US. I will clutch my little traveling companions during take off and landing, just as I did eight weeks ago when I arrived. (Yes, I will be 33 years old and still traveling with stuffed animals to make me feel better.) Then I will be home. And the next phase begins. It will be interesting to see where it takes me!

Whoever said they left their heart in San Francisco never fell in love with a Hungarian, that's for sure! So I go back to San Francisco and I leave much of my heart here.