YELLOW WINTER ROSES IN THE GARDEN

 

WE THINK COLD WET FEET WILL CAUSE SICKNESS : HUNGARIAN / HUNGARIAN-AMERICAN STEREOTYPES

 

I've been posting on stereotypes of Hungarians and Hungarian-Americans for some time. Some of these stereotypes are well known. Others have been told to me or I've read about them. Some stereotypes are harmless, others worrisome. 

A harmless stereotype is that Hungarians are excessively worried about their feet getting cold because they think this causes illness. Walking on wet pavement with bare feet? I do that.

Someone's going to tell you, you'll get sick? Well, a woman who is concerned about me walking outside in the cold of morning to walk my dog, barefoot, did give me a pair of slippers made of a new bamboo fiber.

I can't validate the truth of it. Have you heard of this one?

I wonder if my ancestor Hungarians knit thick wool socks to wear in their boots. There's a condition called Trench Foot that is caused by long term immersion of feet in water but I doubt Hungarians spend more time with their feet in water than other ethnicities?

I've been wearing hats for years because I believe most of our heat goes out our heads.

If anyone knows more about this please leave a comment!

PRESIDENT JOSEPH BIDEN

 And so we Americans have a new president of Irish Catholic heritage, a Democrat and liberal, but not far left. His inaugural speech and the celebration concert were the uplift we needed. And I was in awe of the fireworks display.

I hope we will learn to agree to disagree again. Violent protests, looting, and so on isn't furthering any cause.

MAP UKRAINE SLOVAKIA POLAND

Yes there were ethnic Hungarians who lived in what is now Ukraine.

CELEBRATE FARSANG in MOHACS : WONDERFUL PLACES IN HUNGARY #5

THE CULTURE TRIP : CELEBRATE FARSANG LIKE A LOCAL 

Beginning January 6th, a celebration that now blends old Hungarian Pagan beliefs with Christian ones.  Although celebrated around Hungary in various ways, including of course Budapest, the city of Mohacs has a noteworthy festival.

Excerpt: The history of this supposedly comes from a Turk invasion, when they occupied the town (Mohacs) and chased its inhabitants out into the nearby swamps. However, the local men dressed up as these buso and frightened the Turks, who insisted demons had attacked them.  Nowadays, they playfully chase people around the town during their parades, making loud noises and generally causing a ruckus.  There are mask-making events, competitions for children;s costumes and numerous stalls selling food and drink.  On Shrove Tuesday there's even a bonfire where the Farsang coffin is set alight - the coffin symbolizing winter and, therefore, its end giving way to spring.

Click on the label Wonderful-Hungary to get to the entire series on this theme.