Travelling

21. Tétel - Travelling in Hungary and abroad - Kül- és belföldi utazás

• preparations

• favourite destinations

• types of trips (holiday, official, business, study, conferences)

• package tour (advantages, disadvantages)

If you travel to a foreign country you’ll need a valid passport. If you are travelling to certain countries, you have to apply for visas and you may also need certificates of vaccination. In some countries you have to be able to prove that you have either enough cash or an embossed bank card.

Most people prefer some kind of package holiday at a popular holiday resort, which means that everything is arranged for you and the price you pay includes transport, food and accommodation.

In Hungary, tourists can stay at hotels, motels, pensions, guest houses, youth hostels and in campsites.

In Great Britain there are hotels, inns, boarding houses, bed and breakfasts, youth hostels and campsites.

In the United States, instead of inns, boarding houses and bed and breakfasts, there are motels.

Hotels are classified according to the services they offer. Inns are pubs where people can stay the night. Boarding houses are private houses where you pay to sleep and eat. Bed and breakfasts are small hotels or private houses where you pay for a room and a meal in the morning. You can find motels along roads and motorways. They are cheap hotels for people travelling by car. Youth hostels provide cheap accommodation especially for students for a short period of time.

I think the most popular holiday places are in exotic countries, for example, Tunesia in Africa, India, Thailand, Canary-islands, Hawaii, Mauritius, Egypt, and so on. Lots of people go to Italy, Croatia and Greece too.

Holidays are more than relaxation because you can spend your time in an active way. You can walk long distances to get to know towns, visit museums, exhibitions and galleries, and even do some sports, like cycling, sailing or bungee jumping and parachuting. 

Once I was parachuted with my husband by a motor-boat above the Mediterranean sea in Tunesia, and it was wonderful.

There are several ways of traveling: holiday, formal travelling, business travel, study journey and conference. Both of them are very useful, but you can relax and you can go sightseeing on your holiday.

I prefer package holidays because I like it when I don’t have to bother with organising anything. I just go to the travel agency and ask them to arrange the journey, the accommodation and all the programmes. We went to our honeymoon in this way to Tunesia, and it was wonderful. We were waited at the airport, the assistants told everything, a flight was beautiful, our travel guide waited for us at the airport in Tunesia and saw in us to the hotel, asked for our key, organised the programmes and we could ask for her with everything.

My friends, on the other hand, like to organise their holidays themselves because they got disappointed by some travel agencies. They search for addresses, call the places and book their accommodation.

Knowledge of foreign language is very important and it facilitates our situation everywhere, for example, at travelling, in restaurants, at shopping and so on.

 

22. Tétel - Weather, seasons, environment protection - Időjárás, évszakok, környezetvédelem

• environmental problems

• environment protection

• home environment protection (selective waste collection, energy saving at home)

• weather, seasons

In Hungary in spring the weather is usually changeable. It can be quite warm and sunny, or cold and rainy and windy. Summer is hot, sultry and dry. Sometimes there are storms and even hail. People don’t like autumn very much because it is usually cold and rainy with strong wind. In winter the weather is cold, the temperature is usually below zero and it often snows. The mornings are foggy and frosty. 

To tell the truth, I like summer and spring because I don’t have to dressed well.

Because of the greenhouse effects there isn’t winter, for example, this year it hasn’t snowed yet and the temperature is below zero rarely. The temperature has been increasing.

People usually listen to weather forecasts on radio or television. With the extensive use of computers and satellites weather forecasts have become more and more accurate.

The weather in Britian is very changeable and unpredictable even from one day to the next. This is due to the influence of southwestern winds blowing off the Atlantic and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream which modify the original temperate climate of the country.

There are many rainy days in the year, even in winter.

Nowadays the main problems are the greenhouse effect, deforestation, rivers being diverted, dams being built, erosion, rapid consumption of resources and commodities, and pollution of air and water. The most important consequence of the greenhouse effect is the warming of the earth which causes climate changes and melts polar icecaps. Global warming means the increase in the world’s temperatures. The greenhouse effect and the depletion of the ozone layer are believed to be its main causes. The ozone layer can be protected only by international cooperation. People should stop producing and using harmful products that damage the ozone layer. The melting of the polar caps results in the rising sea-levels. It will flood populated areas and agricultural land.

Industrial pollution and overexploitation of the forests must be drastically decreased. The seas are endangered by industrial and other forms of pollution, such as oil spills from tankers and oil rigs. Most vehicles run on petrol or gas. Recently car manufacturers have launched cars operating with electricity. There is research going on how other energy sources, such as solar energy and water, could be used for running vehicles.

Almost everything can be recycled, like plastic bottles, paper, clothes, cans and metal. I think more containers should be placed not only in towns but in villages. 

In Hungary more and more regulations are enacted to protect wild animals. Both hunting and keeping them are strictly regulated, so the situation is getting better.

23. Tétel - Telecommunications - Telekommunikáció

• telephones

• computers

• e-mail

• internet

In Hungary there are two types of public phone boxes. One which operates with coins, and another which operates with phonecards. But the number of public phone boxes fall off because of mobile phones.

 

A mobile phone has several functions, depending on its brand. In every mobile phone there’s a phone book, where you can store the numbers that you regularly call. In modern phones you can add voice labels to the numbers. You can send and receive SMSs, get information on calls and apply settings, e.g. the language, time and date, and handsfree function. They also include some extras, like alarm clock, timer, stop-watch, calculator and games. 

In my opinion, you feel safer if you have a mobile phone because you will be able to ask for help if something happens to you. As almost everybody has a mobile phone nowadays, it’s a kind of an expectation for you to be contactable. Another reason for their popularity is that they are becoming cheaper and it’s possible to sign reasonable contracts with mobile telephone service providers.

I think the advantages of mobile phones are their disadvantages at the same time. It’s good to be contactable but it is sometimes disturbing that people can reach you everywhere.

It’s rude to use your mobile phone in public places, like libraries, cinemas, theatres, churches and temples, wardrooms in hospitals and schools and universities during classes. 

Since when the computers appeared the function of fax machine lower because it’s quicker and the quality of computer is better. 

Nowadays computers are used in all fields of life. You can find them in banks, post offices, shops, hospitals, restaurants, pharmacies, libraries, schools, offices, factories, homes and so on. Computers are used for storing data, word processing, keeping records, invoicing, managing production, etc. Traffic is also controlled with computers. 

I have a laptop at home so I can surf the net, send e-mails, I do the shopping and I book cinema tickets or book seats at restaurants. Of course I can learn English by internet because there’re lots of online exercises.

Internet is helpful if someone live far from their families because he or she can keep contact with them by e-mail. They can write to their friends, relatives and colleagues. It’s better than telephone because you can contact more people at the same time and it’s more quicker than an ordinary letter.

24. Tétel - Hungary - Magyarország

• major tourist attractions

• main places of interest

• tourism

• Hungary as a destination

Hungary is situated in the heart of Europe and it covers an area of 93.000 square            kilometers. It has a population of about 10 million inhabitants and has been a republic since October 23, 1989, when it adopted a new Consitution.

To the west, Hungary borders Austria; to the south, Slovenia, Croatica and Serbia; to the east Romania and the Ukraine; and to the north, Slovakia.

Most of the country is flat. The hills in the western part of the country lead to the Alps, while higher hills lying to the northeast are part of the Carpathian Alps. The biggest river is the Danube, the highest point in Hungary is a peak in the Mátra Mountains called Kékestető. Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe, it’s a popular holiday resort with Hungarians and other Europeans alike.

The climate of Hungary is temperate, with distinct seasons.

The capital of Hungary is Budapest with about 2 million inhabitants: it is the political, economic, commercial and cultural centre of the country. It is also one of the most important railway junctions in Europe. It lies on the two banks of the River Danube. Buda and Pest were two towns before 1873 when the two parts of the city and Óbuda were officially united.

Other major cities are Miskolc, Debrecen, Szeged and Pécs.

While Hungary is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in Central Europe (90% of the population are Magyars), it does have a number of different minorities, the largest of which are the Gypsies.

Hungary is a parliamentary republic. There are parliamentary elections every four years, and the leader of the winning party is asked by the president to form the government. The president is elected by the parliament every five years. 

Hungary is divided into the capital, 19 counties, 22 towns of county rank and 23 districts in Budapest.

I live in Budapest in the 17th district. It’s a greenbelted location and it’s far from the city centre and it’s more peaceful and healthy.

There are several attractions in Budapest: 

Matthias Church: a 700 year-old gothic church on Castle hill, re-built in the last   century. Many kings were crowned here.

City Park: the largest open space in Budapest, it contains the zoo, funfair, and a castle specially built to show the many styles of Hungarian architecture.

Elizabeth Bridge: the only bridge to be re-built in modern style after the War, it was the first cable bridge in Europe and is famous for its slender, graceful lines.

The Royal Palace: originally a castle from the 13th century, it was re-built as a magnificent residence for the monarchy in the 19th century and now houses the National Gallery.

Parliament: the seat of the Hungarian government, building began in 1885 and finished in 1905.

Chain Bridge: the first permanent link between Buda and Pest, it was the brainchild of István Széchenyi and was designed and built by two British engineers, both named Clark.

The Citadel and Liberation monument: a Habsburg fortress on the highest hill of the Danube bank, with the statue commemorating the release of Hungary from Nazi domination at the end of the World War II.

Heroe’s Square: flanked by the Fine Arts Museum and the Art Gallery, the central column carries the Millenium Monument and stands in front of a semi-circle of statues of great historical figures.

Margaret Island: in the middle of the Danube, and nearly two miles long, it is a spacious and varied leisure park with its own spa.

The Fishermen’s Bastion: visitors are usually amazed to learn that this was only built in 1903. it offers excellent views of the city.

Hungary joined to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1999), so our safety and future increased because this organization is a military union.

We joined to EU (European Union) too in 2004 but till now I haven’t felt the effect of the connection. Probably Hungary has more financial aid but there isn’t more workplace and better salaries.

25. Tétel - English-speaking countries - A célnyelv országa(i) (Anglia, USA)

• general information, personal experiences

Great-Britain

The United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy with hereditary monarchy, meaning that there is a monarch but the effective power belongs to the government, which is part of parliament and responsible to it but also normally dominates it. The government consists of about a hundred politicians under the Prime Minister.

The monarch is always the previous monarch’s eldest son or eldest daughter if there is no son. The present monarch is Elizabeth II who belongs to the House of Windsor and who has been the monarch for more than fifty years.

Great Britain consists of England, Wales and Scotland. The United Kingdom consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

About 59 million people live in the UK, and people speak English, Welsh and Scottish.

Scotland:

There are three large geographical areas in Scotland: the Highlands, the Lowlands and the Islands, 5 million people live in Scotland. Edinburgh is the capital, Glasgow is the chief industrial and commercial city.

Places to visit: Alloway, Ayrshire – the birthplace of Robert Burns, Balmoral Castle – to be seen from a distance, The Edinburgh Festival – for music and drama, The Western Isles – for the beauty of their high land and wide seas, The Shetlands and Orkneys – the remote and barren northern islands, Loch Ness – to catch a glimpse of the monster?

England:

England is foten sub-divided into 3 parts: the North, the Midlands and the South.

Some places of interest in the North: Hadrian’s Wall – named after the Roman Emperor Hadrian – was completed int he 2nd century. It is a huge fortification all along the Scottish border. The Lake District – an area of mountains and lakes which          looks larger than it really is. Dramatic, romantic scenery. York – once an importan Roman city. It has remains from all periods of history. The city walls, the cleaned and  restored cathedral and its street of medieval buildings are most impressive.

 

Some places of interest in the Midlands: Stratford-on-Avon – the birthplace and burial place of William Shakespeare. The Royal Shakespeare Company plays here at the Festival Theatre as well as in London. Cathedral towns of Worchester and Gloucester – their ancient cathedral churches are beautiful and the towns provide a centre of cultural and business life. Coventry – the fine modern cathedral has been built next to the ruined one, bombed during World War II. The Peak District – an area of Derbyshire, it is England’s first National Park, protected against industry.

Some places of interest in the South of England: Windsor – the town on the River Thames. Its castle is a royal residence. Eton – close to Windsor. The famous public school here was founded in 1440. Canterbury – the cathedral and the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the religious head of the Church of England. Bath – a beautiful town int he West Country, interesting, because it was developed and built in the 18th century and remains as it originally was. Oxford and Cambridge – the famous (and the oldest) university towns in Britian.

Wales:

The capital is Cardiff. There are about 3 million inhabitants in Wales. There is a Welsh language. Welsh folklore and language strengthen each other. Every year a national festival of traditional poetry and music is held. It is called the ’Eisteddfod’. In the United Kingdom the longest river is the Servern, which rises in Wales and flows into the Bristol Channel.

Northern Ireland:

It is a land of lakes, rivers and a varied sea coast. The biggest lake is Lough Neagh. The country’s capital is Belfast. It is an industrial centre and port.

London:

The capital of the United Kingdom and England is London. It is one of the world’s leading financial, industrial and cultural centres with about 7 million inhabitants.

The most famous river is the Thames, which flows through London.

The United States of America

America is a nation of immigrants. With the exception of the Native Americans – the original peoples of America – the people of the U.S.A. came from other countries with widely differing languages, cultures, values and traditions. 

The most important values are freedom and individualism – democratic freedom from tyrannical government and the individual freedom to make one’s own choices and make the decisions that control one’s life. Americans believe very strongly in self-  reliance – relying on oneself instead of relying on others – to achieve what one wants.

 

Americans also highly value material wealth and hard work. The American Dream is that by working hard one can go from „rags to riches” – from being poor the being very rich.

The United States is a federal presidential republic. The president is elected every four years.

The United States of America, which has approximately 289 million inhabitants, is made up of 50 states, 48 joined together on the continent, plus Alaska and Hawaii. It can roughly be broken up into five large geographical areas.

The highest mountain in the United States is Mount McKinley, which located in south-central Alaska, in Denali National Park and Preserve. The longest river is the Mississippi. 

The capital of the United States is Washington DC. It has a population of more than half a million.

 

New York City is a major port in south-eastern New York State. With its population of about 7.5 million people, it is the most popular city in the US. It consists of Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island boroughs. The second most populous city is Los Angeles with its 3.5 million inhabitants. You can find Hollywood, the centre of US film and television industry, here. The third largest town is Chicago, an industrial city on Lake Michigan with about 2.7 million inhabitants.

In the United States English, Spanish and Native Indian Languages are spoken.

The Northeast:

While there is a lot of farming in this region, especially in parts of New England, it is best known as a center for commerce and heavy industry. Both Boston and Philadelphia are old cities, Washington, D.C. (the District of Columbia), the capital of the U.S.A., is the center of the federal government, and has many fine museums. New York City, called „the big Apple”, is filled with landmark skyscrapers, museums and other cultural institutions, and is the home of the Statue of Liberty.

The South:

The South has traditionally been known as an agricultural region int he past, principally growing cotton and tobacco, but now it is experiencing great economic growth and industrialization. New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras (Carnival) celebration and jazz, and Miami, of course, for its beach.

The Midwest:

The Midwest is primarily America’s „breadbasket”, with its endless fields of wheat and corn in states like Iowa and Kansas, but also has such major commercial and industrial cities as Chicago and Detroit, automobile capital of the U.S. Chicago, which is on Lake Michigan.

The Southwest:

The Southwest is a huge area with deserts, like Death Valley, as well as fertile farmlands, such as the orange groves of California. New high-tech industries are located in „Silicon Valley”, and there are oil wells in Texas and New Mexico. The Grand Canyon is one of its many spectacular natural wonders. Major cities include Dallas, of TV series fame, Santa Fe, an important cultural center, and Los Angeles, home of Disneyland and the movie industry in Hollywood.

The West:

The West lives on in everyone’s imagination as the Wild West, with its cowboys and gunfighters, American Indians and prospecting for gold, and it’s the birthplace of Levi’s blue jeans. Among its most famous cities are San Francisco with its hills, streetcars and the Golden Gate Bridge, Denver, the Mile High City where skiers love to go, Seattle, known for its year-round temperate climate, and Las Vegas, gambling capital of the U.S.