WLB:
Budapest in five words?
Aleksandra:
Wow, it’s hard to describe it in five words. I’d say comfortable, variety, cozy, green and… I have this word in my mind but I don’t know how to say it in English, when something is what it is, it doesn’t hide anything... it’s real.
WLB:
If Budapest were another European city, which one would it be?
Aleksandra:
Prague! And definitely not Vienna.
WLB:
How would you describe the essence of Budapest?
Aleksandra:
I think the city is akin to the people living here: at first, they seem to be emotionless, but if you get to know them, have a conversation with them and give them a chance to show who they really are, your initial impressions will turn upside down. It’s the same with Budapest.
WLB:
Why did you come to Budapest?
Aleksandra:
I came here for an internship. I don’t know if I chose Budapest, maybe Budapest chose me, because this was the only city where they were looking for a Polish person.
WLB:
Where do you come from?
Aleksandra:
I’m from Rybnik, Poland, a small town in the Silesia region.
WLB:
What is the first thing that pops into your mind about Budapest?
Aleksandra:
Szimpla. But not Szimpla the party place, rather Szimpla the home of the Farmers’ Market, where you can come across all sorts of people and buy and taste awesome Hungarian delicacies.
Oh, and bicycles!
WLB:
So how do you find Hungary and Poland related?
Aleksandra:
Well, climate and people are really similar, which is evidenced by that fact that Hungarians and Polish have always been close, we are like brothers and sisters to each other. There’s a proverb we learn in high school, and I’m sure Hungarians also know it: Polak, Węgier — dwa bratanki i do szabli, i do szklanki, which is something like Polish and Hungarian — two good friends, fighting together and drinking in the end.
Some historical events perfectly reflect the good relationship between the two countries. For instance on 12 March 2007, the Hungarian Parliament declared the 23rd of March as the "Hungarian-Polish Friendship Day". Even more, I read that during World War II, the Hungarian Prime Minister Pál Teleky refused to open the borders to German troops so they would be able to invade Poland. His answer was “I’d rather blow up our rail lines than let [Hungary] take part in the invasion of Poland”.
WLB:
What are your favorite spots in Budapest?
Aleksandra:Gellért Hill! Even if went there only two times. I like the Liberty Bridge and sitting there having a beer. I also like the City Park and Margaret Island. I like the 6th District. I know I’m not saying anything really original… Actually, almost any spot in Budapest could be my favorite place.
WLB:
What did you work on in Budapest?
Aleksandra:
I work for a Hungarian company which is an international packaging distributor. My main tasks are creating and carrying out the Polish marketing strategy for the company and developing customer relationship with existing and new partners.
WLB:
Does Budapest inspire you on any level?
Aleksandra:
Budapest gives me time, which is very important for me right now. I’m at this point in my life where I need to decide what I want to do in my professional life. We spend half of our lives at work, so I want to do something I really like, something I believe in. Here, by meeting a lot of different people, I get a wider point of view as I learn from others, which results in new opportunities.
WLB:
Do you like Hungarian cuisine? What is your favorite food?
Aleksandra:
I like it! Though some dishes are a bit too spicy for me. I love Goulash soup and I’m in love with this smoked cheese I buy at Szimpla every Sunday. Also, I like Hungarian sausages.
WLB:
Which is the city's least appealing side?
Aleksandra:
Maybe I know nothing about the topic and how it’s handled here, but it’s about the homeless. It’s really sad, even more in winter, and there’s not much you can do to help them. I also think it’s not easy to live here as a citizen because of the salaries and the taxes. Oh, and it’s a sad thing that there are so many buildings that look abandoned, such beautiful buildings and it seems like no one is doing anything about them.
WLB:
Do you speak any Hungarian?
Aleksandra:
Igen! Perzse, persze! I work with Hungarians, and I had the chance to meet several Hungarian people and some have become my friends.
WLB:
Are you planning to stay here long-term?
Aleksandra:
Well, I came for six months and decided to stay for a year. I’m sure I’ll visit Budapest many times after I leave.
WLB:
Why so?
Aleksandra:
Because… I fell in love: one day I was at Batthyány tér and when I turned around, I saw the illuminated Parliament.
I just thought “Daaaamn, I want to stay here for the summer”. So I made my decision. Plus, I was not ready to go home yet. I still need to get to know what I want to do, get to know myself. And a full year is I think enough to get to know the city on a deeper level.
Megjelent első bookazine-unk, ne maradj le róla!
Már 15 éve lélegzünk összhangban a fővárossal. Jubileumi kiadványunkban mindent megtalálsz, ami magazinunk és eddigi munkánk esszenciája. Gasztronómia, kultúra, városi legendák és Budapest arcai, interjúk, történetek és a legjobb helyek – úgy, ahogyan mi látjuk a fővárost.
Rendeld meg itt vagy keresd a nagyobb könyvesboltokban!
hirdetés
