Name: André
Age: 35
Nationality: Norwegian
What made you come to Budapest?
My husband took me here for the first time for a weekend vacation. He recommended the city because he had been there many times before.
When was the first time you visited the city?
Summer of 2001.
Why Budapest?
My husband had many friends in Budapest through his earlier travels. I also liked the city a lot and got to know his friends here. We continued to come back several times a year. The city is always full of life every day in the week and there is always something to do. We enjoy the cafés, restaurants and bars very much. After some years, we also started bringing friends here to show them around. These friends also fell in love with the city and has been returning several times since. In 2009, my husband and I, who was born the same year, had our 30th birthday celebration here with 30 friends coming from Norway. During our first visits to Budapest, we stayed at a friend’s place but when we started to bring friends over, it was more convenient to stay in a hotel together instead of staying apart. In Norway, it is very common to have a cottage in the mountains or by the sea. Since we like Budapest so much and travel here so often, we decided to buy an apartment here instead.
What are your impressions of the city?
I come from Oslo, which is quite a small capital with about 600,000 inhabitants. Budapest is a city about 3 times bigger than Oslo and it has a very different environment. There is much more life in the weekdays. Oslo is a relatively young capital with less exciting new history than Central Europe.
Where do you enjoy hanging out?
In the summer, we like to spend time on our terrace, where on hot days the temperature can be quite nice. It is also very nice to be near the Danube and feel its pleasant breeze. We live in the 5th district near the Basilica where there is a lot of different restaurants and bars to hang out. We also have some favorite places we like to visit like Cafe Kör, Most Bisztró and the more classic Gundel Étterem. When we go out in the evening, we often go to Gozsdu Udvar to have some drinks before we hit the clubs or hang out at some wine bar. If it gets late at night we often end up at Piaf.
Since you are also a radio DJ, have you heard any Hungarian hits? What do you think of Hungarian music in general?
Unfortunately, I haven’t heard a lot of Hungarian hits. Since I don’t know the language, it’s harder to relate to the music. The little I have heard on the radio in Budapest is the taxi ride from or to the airport. I’ve heard some classical Hungarian tunes from a pianist at Piaf, but I have no idea what they are about.
How exciting is to work in a radio in Oslo?
I believe I have the dream job. I work as a traffic reporter in Norway’s biggest radio station. I spend my workdays either in a helicopter or in a studio. I also have a music show on a smaller station. It is always fun to get paid for talking.
What do you think of Hungarian boys?
Hungarian boys seem very nice and open. Norwegians are more contained and don’t usually speak with strangers. Hungarians are easier to get in touch with. It also seems like Hungarians are way more straight-forward than Norwegians.
Have you suffered any kind of prejudice in Budapest?
No I haven’t, but my Hungarian friends advised me on where to be more open and where one should be more careful. I take my precautions when I’m out, whatever place I visit in the world. Oslo is known to be a safe place but people may also meet prejudice there.
How does gay marriage works in Norway?
Gay marriage in Norway is now the same as straight marriage. The law has changed some years ago and we now have equal rights like straight couples. We are now enjoying our rights as everyone else in Norway
What does the straight community thinks of this equality?
Most people think it is ok. Gay people are a part of the society with the same obligations as any citizen (like paying taxes), so most Norwegians see it as a natural equality. However, some hard-core religious groups are against equal marriage.
Author: Gabriel
Photos: Patrick Rocha
