The Hungarian Vizsla

Having a dog is definitely part of the Hungarian culture.

In the countryside most people have a dog, and even in Budapest you’ll be surprised by the high number of people you’ll see (especially in the morning or late at night) giving their dog one of the walks of the day. Although you’ll see dogs of all kinds and shapes, it is pretty easy to spot the Hungarian (or Magyar) Vizsla, thanks also to their coat color, defined as golden-rust or copper-brown.

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We’re talking about a very special, and sometimes demanding dog here. Wikipedia describes the temperament as “very high energy, gentle-mannered, loyal, caring, and highly affectionate”. They are “natural hunters with an excellent ability to take training”. If you see a Vizsla inside a home you might think it’s a potato coach; but bring it outside and you’ll realize how this is a proper hunting dog, wishing to chase most of the moving objects in sight. It is said that normally a Magyar Vizsla needs 2 to 3 hours a day of outdoor activity. That’s enough to turn every Vizsla owner into a fit person!

One interesting definition for the Vizsla found online is “velcro” dog. Vizslas are extremely affectionate and tend to attach themselves physically to their owners; as a consequence they tend to suffer of separation anxiety if left alone for long period of times, not properly looked after or stimulated. In these cases they can become hyperactive or bored (and destructive as a consequence, usually chewing everything available).

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Another curious story about them is that apparently they used to be symbols of aristocracy, and were smuggled out of the country and into Austria and other states, including America, when the Russians occupied Hungary after WW2. You can find this together with 9 other Vizsla’s facts on 10facts.com.

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It must be something about the curious way they point those big ears to the source any noise, or the fact that they are so playful, but it’s difficult not to stop and have some interaction with a Vizsla when you see one on the streets, and being in Hungary, that happens very often!

Hungarian Grand Prix, the heat is on

The heat is on for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Quite literally, as the thermometer bar is going up and up these last days, and the temperature of the air and track can make a difference in the race results.

According to the Formula One Official Website if it is going to be relatively cool the Red Bull team can have some advantages, like they did in Britain and Germany, ending up winning the races. If instead it is going to be very warm the Brawn GP team have a better chance of winning. And with the 30C forecasted for Sunday that seems to be the case. It is not a coincidence that at the moment, before the practice sessions, odds are all in favor of Jenson Button from Brawn GP. According to TheSpread.com odds are: Jenson Button at 2/1, Sebastien Vettel at 9/4, Mark Webber at 9/2.

The Formula One heat is on in the city of Budapest as well. Today the first fans arrived, with groups of Ferrari fans appearing to be a majority, clearly recognizable from their red t-shirts and caps. Formula One teams promoters walking around on the streets stand out from the crowd too, thanks to their colorful gear.

The most original promotion seen so far is the one by the Toyota team. They put a huge stand in front of the West End Shopping Center where you can take the Pistop Challange and measure how long it will take you to replace a tire of a real Formula one car. Definitely a nice chance to get normal people closer to those cars normally seen only on TV.

Meanwhile on the Internet all Formula One news are about how the weather is going to be, while locally there’s an abundance of last minute offers for accommodations in town, apartments especially.

And I also found a cute Hungarian Grand Prix Simulator; not only it uses features from the real track, but it also has  info about Hungary and some funny pre-race intros as well. My favorite one is the farmers fueling the car with wine.

You can play the Hungarian Grand Prix here, or on your mobile phone here.

Photo of the week: Old and New

In Hungary tradition and innovation live notoriously side by side. Even when it comes to cars in a parking space.

Late-Night Cheap Eats in Budapest: Turkish Doner Kebab

Nothing tastes better after a long night out in Budapest than a late night kebab. You’ll find Kebabs in a lot of European cities (also called Gyros or Shawarma) but nowhere do they taste better and cost less than in Budapest. We’re talking 550 Ft (about 2 Euros) and you’ll find them on just about every major street corner. Just follow the scent of slow roasted meat wafting from to-go window.

Hungarians (and you) have the Turks to thank for this deliciously cheap invention. (Although I wouldn’t go shouting their praises in downtown Budapest, the memory of a few hundred years of Ottomon occupation still lingers. ) My favorite place for round the clock kebabs is Szeraj, located between Nyugati train station and Jaszai Mari square on the main ring road. It’s the only place in town you’ll find a line for food at 2am. A word to the wise; go ease on the csipos (spicy) sauce.