I shall be exploring the storied city of Budapest mid-month, and so I'm currently perusing a pocket-sized English-Magyar phrase book, which is rather an alarming experience to say the least. For instance, the Hungarian word for "thank you" is köszönöm, and most of the others seem excessively multisyllabic and overly ornate also. Speaking even the most banal of sentences sounds like you are chanting some medieval magic spell. In fact, I'm very concerned that I might accidently summon up the Devil when attempting to ask for directions to my hotel, and that he will take my soul in exchange for a free airport transfer and a slice of apple strudel.
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I don;t think I'd be scoffing at that soul for apple strudel exchange, Mr. S. Based on your deeply disturbing postings I think your soul may be a bit low on the exchange rate scale and that famous Hungarian apple strudel always ranks high in the taste dept. And the Devil may throw in an airport transfer?
Take the offer. Quick.
Posted by: DarkoV | September 08, 2008 at 17:00
I always had a sort of half-disgusted fondness for the word Budapest. Especially when certain people pronouce it "Budapescht." You know, with saliva carefully resting under the tongue.
Posted by: rannva | September 09, 2008 at 22:44
sir,
places to exchange above mentioned soul against desserts hardly pronounceable are:
Gerbeaud Cukrászda
Vörösmarty tér 7
(Inner Pest, metro: Vörösmarty tér)
&
Ruszwurm Cukrászda
Szentháromság utca 7
(Castle Hill, Buda, Right Bank, funicular: from Clark Ádám tér to Castle Hill)
rumour is they have bouncers to deal with customers will refuse to leave, an affliction that strikes many on their first visit.
a Strudel Temple of sorts is
Fiori (Inner Pest)
V. Oktober 6 út 6
metro: Vörösmarty tér
the ceremony is officiated continuously and in the open.
for a glimpse of what an imperial Café used to look like, one could stop at the
Central Kávéház
(Inner Pest, Left Bank)
V. Károlyi Mihály út 9
metro: Ferenciek tér
or
Café New York (Elizabeth Town)
VII. Erzsébet körút 9-11
metro: Blaha Lujza tér
here there are hopes the devils of the gulyás will be kind to you, sir.
aurelian isaïcq
nyc
Posted by: aurelian | September 19, 2008 at 13:00
This is most useful list. Thank you!
Posted by: stephenesque | September 19, 2008 at 15:24