I can't believe I actually am 64! Maybe its the experiences that I've had -including what brought me to Hungary -that keep me un-focussed on being a geriatric. Having two young daughters might have something to do with it too. I left a cushy life in SanFrancisco, following a divorse, not knowing for sure that I could make a living here in 1991.
I was a money manager in that left-behind life and I morphed into a venture capitalist when I hit the ground here. No one knew what that meant then. Now I know what it must have been like to have lived in California at the time that the "Great Depression" of the 1930's was winding down. Everything was dirt cheap I guess.
Everything imaginable was needed. Look at the result in California; however, its incredible how rapid the transition has happened here in Hungary! There's lots of lessons to be learned from this experience. I'm glad I did it. Maybe I have enough material for a book!
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in the snow Feb 1991. I came with the romantic idea of an adventure "behind the old iron curtain".
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No, but I feel like a man without a country when I visit the US after so long in Central Europe.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
How clever and interesting the people are and how good-looking the woman are.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Everything.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Are you kidding?
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Stuff to make salads and bread in the freezer.
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Vér ; and the non-commital drawn out hát!
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Everything.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
A writer or painter.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Any job in a Hungarian firm if I was Hungarian.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Zadar, Croatia.
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Villafranche, France.
13 What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I still love the Rolling Stones; great to see them in Bp last summer. I love films- most films-for the experience. Sports-cycling, swimming still my hobby.
14. What can't you resist?
Turo rudi's.
15. Red wine or white?
Mindegy; actually rosé.
16. Book or movie?
Love em both equally.
17. Morning person or night person?
Probably morning.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Love em both. Don't have either right at the moment.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda; except the ancient and mysterious sections of Pest are neat.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Uh?