My good friend Andrea from work is Hungarian. She grew up in the former Soviet Union, and emigrated to New York 20 years ago as a young woman. She found such great opportunities here, and eventually her family followed her and emigrated to the U.S. as well. She lives in Queens with her husband (also Hungarian) and two kids.
This weekend Andrea (pronounced "Ahhn-dray-ah") invited us to come for a dinner and program at the Hungarian House on 82nd street. It was such a fun experience to be immersed in another culture for an evening. Everyone spoke Hungarian the whole time (except when they talked to us), they served Hungarian food, and after dinner the kids and teenagers put on a program, sang traditional Hungarian songs, played Hungarian games and danced. Klane and I were impressed by how they keep their culture alive and have such a sense of community here in the states. The kids putting on the program were born and raised in the U.S. and their first language is English, but because of their immigrant parents, they all speak fluent Hungarian and know all the traditional Hungarian songs, dances, customs, games and foods. Many of them go to Hungarian school on Saturdays to learn the language and traditions. It's really neat.
This weekend Andrea (pronounced "Ahhn-dray-ah") invited us to come for a dinner and program at the Hungarian House on 82nd street. It was such a fun experience to be immersed in another culture for an evening. Everyone spoke Hungarian the whole time (except when they talked to us), they served Hungarian food, and after dinner the kids and teenagers put on a program, sang traditional Hungarian songs, played Hungarian games and danced. Klane and I were impressed by how they keep their culture alive and have such a sense of community here in the states. The kids putting on the program were born and raised in the U.S. and their first language is English, but because of their immigrant parents, they all speak fluent Hungarian and know all the traditional Hungarian songs, dances, customs, games and foods. Many of them go to Hungarian school on Saturdays to learn the language and traditions. It's really neat.
We were introduced to all of Andrea's family, and she was really great to translate a lot of the program for us and tell us about each traditional Hungarian dish that we had to try. I got the feeling that Hungarians are really warm, friendly, welcoming people. We had a nice conversation with one of Andrea's relatives or friends who told us a lot about Hungary's culture and history. Andrea was so cute and excited to share everything with us. She kept asking us what our favorite dishes were and asking us what she could get us and bringing us more food. We ate until we were stuffed, and then ate some more when she announced the Hungarian pastries were coming out next and that we had to try each of them.
Lucky for us, everything was delicious! My favorites were Chicken Paprikás (paprika chicken in gravy) served with Nokedli (homemade pasta, like small dumplings), Fasirozott (Hungarian meatballs, different than American), Szekely Gulyas (paprika spiced sauerkraut and pork with sour cream, eaten on bread), Bejgli (a walnut and cheese filled pastry), and the Túrós Kremes (a pastry with "farmer's cheese", a sweet soft cheese). I had to google all of that food to get the names right, but that is what Andrea called everything.
At the end of the program, everyone stood in a huge circle, held hands and sang a traditional song in Hungarian together. We joined hands with them and hummed along. :) It was really sweet! We got double cheek kisses on our way out. It was kind of surreal walking back out on the street and finding ourselves in New York City, and not somewhere in Budapest. What a fun evening!
At the end of the program, everyone stood in a huge circle, held hands and sang a traditional song in Hungarian together. We joined hands with them and hummed along. :) It was really sweet! We got double cheek kisses on our way out. It was kind of surreal walking back out on the street and finding ourselves in New York City, and not somewhere in Budapest. What a fun evening!
7 comments:
that is sweet! i love learning about other cultures
That is so awesome! How wonderful that they have such a sense of community but we're so welcoming to you guys. I'm touched that they keep their culture so alive and their children know of it's importance even though they were born in the states. That food looks yummy!
I am so glad you did this and that it was such an awesome experience. She has been such a great friend to you and it sounds like she is coming from a place that many would be just that way. I told you of our friends from Hungary in Oregon and it was just the same for us. Such a wonderful and warm people.
What a cool experience! And cool memory to have.
(Okay, I need to go finishing packing and go to bed.)
Wow, how fun is that?! I love trying new foods.....and learning about other cultures. No better way than experiencing their traditions.
How fun! What a perfect way to learn about a different culture- music, dance, and food! I'm so impressed that you even remembered what she called all of the food. I definitely would not be able to. It all sounds so unique and interesting! I'm glad that you had such a great time!
P.S. You and Andrea look so pretty in that picture!
Wow, what a cool experience and WHAT AMAZING DOCUMENTATION, Angie! I am so impressed with the way you can put together a blog post that's fun, interesting, pretty AND oh so informative. Seriously, girl! (Long live Google!!)
Budapest is one of the coolest cities I've ever visited (especially at night near the Danube River, overlooking the Parliament building--truly breathtaking). I'm glad you got such a fun "taste" of Hungary without having to board a plane! Great post.
Post a Comment