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Dear Friends, Partners and Clients,
Many of you have received other Expat Success newsletters in the past. You may notice that we are starting to publish these useful guides more frequently. Thanks to our fantastic Design and Editorial team, we have committed ourselves to sending you these helpful tips on a bi-monthly basis. The ideas for the content come from our years of experience helping expatriates relocate into Hungary and the rest of the region. Additionally, many times my personal experiences or challenges are incorporated into the articles in order to share them with you. If you have a particular challenge or have recently discovered something fantastic during your international assignment, please email us (editor@erceurope.com) so that we can write about it in a future issue.
In this latest issue we have included some information that we think will help you plan for the approaching winter holidays. A perennial topic that arises at this time of the year is security. Our family spends the holidays in Budapest as we now consider Hungary our home. However, for many of our readers the word 'home' has a different connotation. While Central Europe happens to be the region that you currently work and live in, home is in another part of the world. For those of you in this situation, heading back to the homeland or hitting the ski slopes may be a more tempting option for the holidays. Since this is an expected trend of expats during this time, many of our homes (or accommodations) become prime targets for thieves. Read the article "Homeward Bound" for some tips on safeguarding your home and personal belongings while you're out of the country.
Other articles you"ll find below address such topics as local kennel options for your pets, video rental and foreign book purchasing, Hungarian holiday traditions and a whole lot more. We hope that you enjoy reading this latest issue of “Expat Success” and find useful information pertinent to you and your family’s situation.
Happy holidays from our family to yours.
Warm Regards,
Erika Clements
Managing Director
Expat Relocation Center
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Homeward Bound? Not so fast...
For many expats, the winter holidays is a chance to head for the homeland to spend time with their families, stock up on otherwise hard-to-get consumer goods and get a heavy dose of reverse culture shock. In Prague, Warsaw, and Budapest the exodus is plainly evident. Following the obligatory holiday parties and get-togethers, bars and restaurants normally teeming with expat crowds take on an uncharacteristically quiet atmosphere.
For those of us who are temporarily jumping ship, there are some things to consider before leaving, not the least of which is the need to secure the house or apartment while away. Of course, home security is not a concern that is exclusive to expats. However, like it or not, there are several reasons that being an expat can make your home a prime target for theft.
Beware of Burst Pipes!
A burst pipe is among the most potentially devastating mishaps that your house can suffer in your absence. The best way you can safeguard yourself is to service the heating system before you leave. Also, if you have an electronic thermostat that uses a battery, make sure to replace the battery as a failure could result in the shutdown of your heating system. Consider shutting off your water and draining the pipes or at least insulating any stretches of pipe located in colder areas of the house. Finally, make sure to remove any garden hoses. Drain and store them in a place where the temperature will stay above freezing.
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Expats are known for sticking to themselves, often residing in neighbourhoods that have gained a reputation as being "foreigner occupied" in the broader community. Of course it’s also no secret that many expats leave town over the holidays, making expat homes an alluring prospect for any would-be burglar.
ERC is well aware that security issues can be prominent on the minds of expats, particularly those who are just settling in. In response to these concerns our home relocation packages offer options for the installation of alarm security systems as well as a private security watch. If you’re interested in equipping your home with a security system but unsure of who to use, give ERC a call for recommendations – while some local home security companies are excellent there are also many that should be avoided.
Security systems aside, there are some common sense steps to keep in mind if you're abandoning your home away from home for the holidays. Going through the steps in this checklist should help minimize the risk that comes with leaving your home for an extended period.
- Make sure to leave on some lights or a radio. If you have timers make sure they are functional and switched on. Set the timers to round-the-clock schedules.
- Adjust blinds and draperies to make the house appear occupied.
- Notify your security company (if applicable) of the dates of your absence.
- Arrange for a relative, trusted friend, or trusted neighbor to check your home regularly.
- Ask neighbors not to tell strangers or repairmen of your absence.
- Have a trusted neighbor retrieve the mail on a daily basis.
- Cancel newspapers and all other deliveries, or arrange for a trusted neighbor to pick them up.
- Arrange to have your snow shoveled.
- Put jewelry, furs, cameras, coin collections, etc. in a safe deposit box or other secure place.
- List all valuables, home contents with serial numbers, purchased dates and prices. Keep the list in a safety deposit box or other secure place.
- Make backups of any important files that you may be leaving behind in your home computer if you’re not already doing so on a regular basis.
- DO NOT leave house keys anywhere outside of the house. Leave a key with a trusted neighbor, in case of emergency. Similarly, do not leave any spare car keys in the house.
- Leave telephone number where you can be reached with person who will be checking on your house, in case of emergency.
- Check all windows and doors and make sure they are locked and secure.
- Test all alarms (fire and home security) to make sure they are functional.
Lastly, it may be worthwhile asking or hiring a trusted colleague or friend to housesit while you are away. At the very least, make sure that someone you trust is aware that you’re away and checking on your house on a regular basis. Should your home be broken into be sure to inform the police immediately. The foreign language police hotline in Budapest is 438-8080 and can be reached from abroad. In Prague the number of the International Help line is 112. For Warsaw, the police emergency number is 997.
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Leaving Lassie Behind – What Are Your Options?
The paperwork and difficulties connected with animal imports means that you’ll probably opt to leave your beloved pet behind if you're heading out of Budapest for the holidays. If you're a relative novice when it comes to pet care in Budapest, you'll be relieved to hear there are some dependable options for housing your pet during your absence. Two kennels that have received the seal of approval from both ERC and our clients are listed below. Also take note of the steps you should take to ensure that your pet’s stay is trouble-free.
Bernadett's Kennel - in garden and kennels
Location: Mogyorod (15mins from Budapest's downtown)
Transportation of dog is free.
Daily fee including dry and/or soft food is HUF 2200 ( approx. USD 9.36 / day), without food it is HUF 2000 (USD 8.51 / day).
Discount:
0 - 30 days -20%
30 - 60 days -30%
Kosztel Ildiko's kennel - in garden and kennels
Location: Nagykovacsi (30mins from Budapest's downtown)
Transportation of dog: HUF 60 / km ( approx: USD 10.64 for one way)
Daily fee including dry and/or soft food is HUF 1400 ( approx. USD 6 / day).
Discount: not available
Website: http://www.extra.hu/vonkarpatia/kikepzes.htm
Both kennels will require the following information:
- name, breed, age, sex, size
- language of dog (If not English or German a dictionary would be appreiciated!)
- information on whether the dog is social, friendly, or has been in a kennel before
- general health condition, if special treatment is required
- any vaccination/medication that the dog should be getting while at the kennel
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Bookworms & Video Addicts
While
opportunities for outdoor winter activities are plentiful
in Central Europe, for many people the colder weather means
more time spent indoors. Doing a little reading and watching
videos can be the perfect cure for the winter blues but getting
your hands on something that you’ll actually understand can
be a challenge. No need to despair… if you’re an expat in
Budapest you’ll find the city has a surprising amount to offer
in terms of foreign language resources.
As the mercury in the thermometer drops, the time that people spend indoors tends to rise proportionally. Fleeing the unkind cold, many people prefer taking in a winter’s day curled by the fireplace rather than hurtling down a ski slope.
 When it comes to passing time indoors on a chilly winter’s day it’s tough to beat shacking up with a good book. Reading is an activity many expats in Budapest rely on yet access to literature in their own language is often considered a problem. However, many people that are relative newcomers to the city are unaware that Budapest does have a considerable amount to offer in terms of book buying and borrowing.
On the other hand, for some people nothing beats settling down on the couch for a good movie on a winter’s evening. Budapest has a handful of stores that specialize in foreign language movies and offer a surprisingly good selection of new releases and classics. Of course, if you own a DVD player you can also rent from Hungarian outlets as DVDs give you the ability to set the language of the film to your preference.
However you choose to battle cabin fever this winter, the link below may be of help. ERC has compiled a list of some places in town that sell or lend foreign language books, videos, and/or DVDs. Whether your language is English, French, German or Japanese, you’ll find what you need here. Just click the link below to access the list.
Click here for a list book and video stores
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Make A Child Smile
'Tis the season of giving and if you're looking to give a little extra this year, ERC has a suggestion. Move One and the Expat Relocation Center have organized a charity drive that will benefit two groups of children truly deserving of some cheer this coming holiday season.
We are collecting donations of toys, books, and clothes to be given to children who will be spending the festive season away from home at Semmelweis University's cancer clinic for children and the Debrecen refugee camp.
The donation drop-off point is at Move One's Hungary headquarters located in downtown Budapest at the address given below. Please donate anything you can... your contribution will go a long way to brightening a child's day!
For further information please contact Sebastien Hidreau:
Millenium Center Building
Pesti Barnabas u. 4. 3rd floor
1052 Budapest
Tel: +36-1-266-0183
sebastien.hidreau@moveone.info
sales@moveone.info
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Santa vs. Mikulas: A look at Hungarian Christmas Traditions
"Boldog Karacsonyt es Boldog Uj Évet!" Catch that? If you’re an expat living in Hungary they're phrases you'll no doubt encounter over the course of the next month. Of course, there's a lot more to Hungary's holiday customs than simply saying "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!" The Hungarian Christmas is rich in tradition and offers an interesting contrast to the way the holiday is celebrated in the West.
To begin with, there's no Santa Claus or Pere de Noel to speak of here. Hungary has its own version of the jolly old fellow and, while he bears a close resemblance to his Western counterparts, there are some important distinctions between them. The Hungarian version of Santa comes on December 6th, and his day is called "Mikulás Nap," or, (St.) Nicholas Day. On this day, Mikulás bácsi ("Uncle Mikulás"), makes his rounds among the shops, schools and parades, just like he does in other countries in the region. Children get candy and chocolate in red wrappings. An older tradition still followed by many families is to have Mikulás bácsi leave candy or other goodies in the boots of children overnight.
However, just as with Santa Claus, Uncle Mikulas also keeps a list of who's been naughty or nice. If the children have been naughty during the year, instead of a present, they may find a lump of coal, or a potato, or a bunch of twigs, tied together in their shoe. If the child has been especially naughty they may even be warned that the krampusz, a kind of mean goblin, will chase them with a stick!
In Hungary, the heart of the Christmas festivities tend to take place on December 24th. Shops and offices close around noon or by 4 PM at the latest and public transportation stops as well. People get home by that time, and start putting up the tree. It's interesting to note that the Christmas tree is rarely put up before the 24th, a fact that may explain why it's so difficult to buy a tree stand with a water basin at the bottom to feed the tree. (Presumably, there's no need to water the tree when it's up for such a short period). The afternoon and early evening are set aside for setting up and decorating the tree, an activity rarely undertaken before the 24th. According to Hungarian custom, Christmas tree decorations always include very special holiday candies, wrapped in bright gold or red foil and tied with bows. Called Szaloncukor, these treats have a chocolate layer and are filled with marzipan, raspberry, orange or other flavored jellies inside.
In families that follow the Christian tradition, it is not Santa Claus and his reindeer who bring the Christmas presents and drop them off through the chimney on Christmas Eve. Rather, it is Baby Jesus - Jézuska - and the angels who bring not only the tree but also gifts for good boys and girls. Usually, on December 24th, children are kept away from the room in which the tree will be put up for several hours while the gifts are being put under it. (If children try to peek, they are warned that they will frighten away Baby Jesus and the angels, who will then fly off quickly, and take all the intended gifts away with them !!!) Once the tree and gifts are ready, parents ring a little bell to announce that Baby Jesus - Jézuska - and the angels have come!
In Hungary, the following two days are national holidays and people usually spend the first day with their immediate families, having a big festive meal that starts around 2 pm. The next day is spent in a similar manner, but people usually get together with extended family members or attend a church service.
Click here for a list holiday bazaars
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ERC Recommends
Deb Neilson, an ERC associate, gives her thoughts on Debrecen's new Indoor Water Theme Park
Wondering what to do over the long Christmas Break, or just for a weekend, but don't want to travel too far?
Check out the recently opened Aquaticum Indoor Water Park in the heart of Debrecen www.aquaticum.hu (not in English, but does give a good picture of the place).The water park has 11 waterslides, wave machines, children's pools and a climbing wall - just to name a few. Current rates are per hour, and after the 1st hour you are only charged per minute. Individual weekday rate is 840 huf/hr, and 2,700 huf/hr family rate. Weekend and holiday rates slightly higher.
It is easy to get to by car or if you prefer the Inter City Train from Budapest is only a 2 1/2 hour trip - just hop on the tram right outside the train station which stops right in front of the waterpark.
The Aquaticum Hotel (water park part of the hotel complex) offers 2 bedroom apartments ranging in price from 18,600 HUF to 36,000 HUF/night depending on the number of persons. If you stay at the hotel the water theme park fee is only 1,000 HUF/day/person. Alternatively you can stay at one of the various other hotels/pensions in Debrecen. I can personally recommend the Centrum Pension which offers clean rooms and apartments ranging from 6,500 HUF (single room)per night to 16,600 HUF per night (2 room apt).
Email centrumpanzio@axelero.hu for more information.
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Expat Success is published by the
Expat Relocation Center for our expat customers and the international community of Budapest.
Send comments, questions, and ideas for this publication
to editor@erceurope.com
for other assistance, contact the ERC headquarters at:
Millennium Center Building
Pesti Barnabás u. 4, 3rd floor
1052 Budapest, Hungary
Tel.: +36-1-266-0181
Fax: +36-1-266-3280
info@erceurope.com
www.erceurope.com
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The AES family:
Editor: Matt Enticknap
| Design: David McInnes
AES Cargo website
| Move One website
| Expat Relocation Center website
| email
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