Thursday, October 31, 2013

How careful should you be going to Hungary

Be cautious in Hungary. Crime rates are higher that in Western Europe and they are getting worse. Hungary's overall crime rate for 2012 increased over 2011 levels. Both property crimes (theft, robbery) and violent crimes increased including an increase in homicides.

Travelers should be especially cautious when using public transportation, visiting tourist sites with large crowds, and being alone around ATM's at night.

Transportation Risks
Trains in and out of Hungary, in particular at Keleti station, have reported higher than normal criminal activity. The most troublesome metro lines are one and three, tram lines two and four, and bus line seven. Keep purses and personal bags closed so the potential thieves can't check out your belongings. This is especially true for Metro Stations where long escalators give thieves at the top, a great view of you and your items as you come up. If you pay attention to your surroundings and use common sense, the public bus system is generally safe. If you plan to use taxis, ask your hotel to order one in advance and to advise you on what fee to expect so that you are not over charged. Be cautious of gypsy cabs which roam the streets and overcharge their riders.

Tourist Site Risks
Pay attention to your belongings at all time; however, be advised that the following areas have especially high rates of thievery:
  • Chain Bridge area on both sides of the Danube
  • Royal Palace Museum
  • Basilica
  • Heroes’ Square
  • Fishermen’s Bastion
  • Matthias Church
American fast food restaurants like McDonald's, Burger King and Pizza Hut are also danger zones for pick pockets. Remember, they work in groups with one of two distracting you while the ones you don't see are robbing you.

Common Street Scams
Here is a new twists on the old 'money changer' scam. First, someone approaches you and ask if you would like to change your currency? Of course my readers are smart enough to say, "No thank you." You expect that to be the end of it. However, you are then approached by two plain clothed men, posing as the police, and asking to see your wallet under the pretense that you illegally changed money. Once they have finished inspecting the contents of your wallet, you will be quite a few dollars lighter. You should anticipate the used of intimidation tactics such as pressing you about drugs. But, Hungarian police don't deal with tourist money changing issues and normally wear uniforms. If you are targeted by this scam, turn around and walk away. If you can, find a uniformed policeman and report the incident. If they will not let you be, advise them that you want to consult your embassy.

Hungary also has a lot of homeless people on streets.

Car thefts are also on the rise so be extra careful. The favorite among thieves are Audi's and VWs.
So, please "BE CAREFUL"!

 

Don’t become a victim

The rules are the same everywhere.
  • Don't be alone at night in dark places
  • Don't go into isolated or poorly lit areas and don't use ATM's in poorly lit areas
  • Don't carry your wallet in the open and don't leave purses or bags open.
  • Don't carry more cash that you need that day, leave extra cash, credit cards, and personal documents at home or in a hotel safe
  • Don't leave your belongings in airports, train stations and other highly trafficked areas 
  • Don’t buy counterfeit merchandise. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into your home country, but by purchasing them you could also be breaking local law.
Be a smart traveler. Remove the temptation, remove of hide your luggage or personal items when parking, especially near popular tourist sites.

The criminals are getting smarter

Unfortunately, identity theft is on the rise worldwide. In this silent crime you may not even know that you have been a victim until much later. The traveler can do a few things to protect themselves:
  • Be observant of your surroundings. If you are using ATM's, public computers, or even your own smart phone or tablet, look to make sure no one can observe your user names and passwords.
  • If you are using a public computer don't get sucked in with an offer to help with the local language and always log off and shut down before leaving.
  • Don't use a debit card connected to your primary checking and savings accounts. If these are lost or stolen, your accounts can be drained. Rather, use a credit card where your exposure is only your credit line.
  • Don't make a public display of your smart phone or tablet. Runners my "hit and flit" and you will not only have lost your gadget, but also all the information you have stored on it.

If you become a victim

If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the your nearest embassy or consulate. They can:
  • Replace a stolen passport;
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape;
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want they can contact family members or friends
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
They also maintain information on their website on where to get help in child abuse situations.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Religion & Weather in Hungary

Religion

Approximately 50% of the population of Hungary are Roman Catholics. First established by King Stephen, crowned as a holy king by the Pope, in the tenth century, Hungary has been a predominantly Roman Catholic country.
Protestant religions began to appear after the renaissance; but, the Hapsburg's led a counter reformation that ensured Catholicism was reinstated as the predominant religion in Hungary during the 17th century. You will also find a Greek Orthodox Catholic community in Hungary; but, it is less than 3% of the population.

Today, Protestants account for just over 20% of the population, with Calvinist making up 16% and Lutherans accounting for 4%. As a result of the decimation of the Jewish community, today Judaism is practiced by only about 80,000 Hungarians. An even smaller group practices Islam, a remnant of the Ottoman Turk rule. The Islamic population is estimated at several thousand.




Weather 
Hungary is cold enough to support snowy winters that can be cold and bitter. In fact winters in Hungary as a whole are fairly sharp, with minimums being known to fall to  -29 ºC. In Budapest the winters can be also feel like they are chilling you down to the bone, but the season is short and the bitter weather is usually broken up by a few bright, sunny days. If traveling to Hungary in winter be sure to so ensure to pack a warm winter coat, hat, boots and gloves! You will probably need them.


Hungary has a moderate level; of precipitation year round; but, a majority occurs in the summer months. July is the hottest and sunniest month with temps that climb above 27 C. June has the historically highest level of rainfall. In Budapest you should not be surprised to see more that 70 mm of rain in June.

Budapest receives more than 70mm of precipitation. Although temperature seems somewhat unpleasant, it is one of the best seasons to visit Budapest.









weather is most favourable for tourism during spring (March to May). However, the summer month of June and autumn months of September and October also offer mild days with less rainfall that the summer season. Several festivals, including the spring festival, are hosted in Budapest during March and April, making these months an ideal time to visit.
Read more at http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Budapest-holiday-guide/Budapest/HU.aspx#FmBOjizk0cXAp3L2.99

weather is most favourable for tourism during spring (March to May). However, the summer month of June and autumn months of September and October also offer mild days with less rainfall that the summer season. Several festivals, including the spring festival, are hosted in Budapest during March and April, making these months an ideal time to visit.
Read more at http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Budapest-holiday-guide/Budapest/HU.aspx#FmBOjizk0cXAp3L2.99

weather is most favourable for tourism during spring (March to May). However, the summer month of June and autumn months of September and October also offer mild days with less rainfall that the summer season. Several festivals, including the spring festival, are hosted in Budapest during March and April, making these months an ideal time to visit.
Read more at http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Budapest-holiday-guide/Budapest/HU.aspx#FmBOjizk0cXAp3L2.99

weather is most favourable for tourism during spring (March to May). However, the summer month of June and autumn months of September and October also offer mild days with less rainfall that the summer season. Several festivals, including the spring festival, are hosted in Budapest during March and April, making these months an ideal time to visit.
Read more at http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Budapest-holiday-guide/Budapest/HU.aspx#FmBOjizk0cXAp3L2.99


Thursday, October 3, 2013

Language, Capitol & Currency in Hungary

Language

Samoyedic map XVII-XX.pngThe language spoken in Hungary is Hungarian. Because the people came from a tribal area and the Ural mountains, their language has little relation to the Romance languages of Europe or the Germanic languages. In fact, the closest relatives are Finnish and Lappish, suggesting an ancient group of northward migrating tribes, some of which settled in the Urals and others who traveled further north. Recent linguistic classifications place it with the Samoyedic group which covers northern parts of Europe and Russia. As well as a tell-tell link to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

Distantly related are Turkish and Basque. This uniqueness and linguistic isolation has become a source of pride to Hungarians.




Capitol 
I want to repeat the insight I provided in my introduction to Hungary.
The capital of Hungary is Budapest, the "Little Paris of Eastern Europe".  It has become the delight of European youth because of its vibrant nightlife, youthful atmosphere, and world class classical music. There is also a rich café life in Budapest. Scenically located on the banks of the Danube, the architecture and unique culture has resulted in a listing in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Here you will find remains from the Ottoman Empire, Roman Empire, and Austrian Empire. While the city is actually divided into 23 districts, it is usually referred to as Buda and Pest, the two sides of the Danube. Buda and Pest, the two previously independent cities together with Óbuda were united in 1873, and became a single city occupying both banks of the River Danube. The famous public buildings, the green hills of Buda, the wide avenues and shopping centers of Pest, and the connecting bridges over the river really make Budapest one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe. Budapest is a beautiful city with great architecture and so many things to do and see.

The mighty Danube flows 2850 kilometers through Europe from the Black Forest in Germany to the Black Sea and passes through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, along the Croatian-Serbian border, past Bulgaria on its journey to the mouth of the Danube at Sulina, Romania. It is Europe's second longest river after the Volga.
Budapest has enough to impress new and returning visitors.


Currency 
The Forint is the currency in Hungary and it is hard to find since it is only used in Hungary.
I recommend you should change money or withdraw cash from an ATM after your arrival. You can find both at the train station and airport.
Changing money on the street is a bad idea! It's useful to bring your credit card but in Hungary you should always have cash with you because cards are not accepted at many places. The easiest way to get cash is from an ATM machine; however, most banks also charge a 3% currency translation fee. So, check the local rates. The best official rates for cash could be in a bank. Banks are generally available, most open from 8 AM to 4 PM and some even on Saturday. Plan ahead, don't get caught on a weekend or holiday out of cash. While Exchange booths are also available, the rates are higher.

Tips are an expected source of income in Hungary and the general rule is 10% of the total amount for good service..