After finishing a degree in Russian/Chinese at Middlebury College she began her professional career in U.S. Embassy Moscow where she witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union and two coup attempts. A slightly warmer posting in the Dominican Republic followed where she married senior U.S. diplomat Cesar Beltran, then it was back to the cooler climes of St. Petersburg, Russia and Warsaw, Poland.

She left government work in Poland for a stint with White & Case as a legal editor. Since coming to Hungary she has been working as a freelance writer, editor and fundraiser for various charitable organisations including the IWCA, NAWA and the DSB. One of her fundraising hallmarks is organising charity costume parties for Halloween and other occasions.

Victoria is also an avid horsewoman and plays polo with the Estancia Polo Club in Etyek. She also enjoys downhill skiing, sailing in the Adriatic and ice-skating.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
August 2002 due to a posting with the U.S. Foreign Service.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes. I've lived in the UK, Russia, Poland, and the Dominican Republic in addition to Hungary.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
How much equestrian sport and a love of dogs is a part of their culture. It was a pleasant surprise.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
For sightseeing they should do a walking tour which includes Heroes' Square/Varosliget, Andrassy down to Deak Ter, Vaci utca, cross the Danube, Gellert Hotel (from the exterior) the Chain Bridge, the Siklo and the castle district. They should go to at least the Szechenyi baths (or possibly Rudas late-night baths on a Saturday).

They should have a coffee at Central Kavehaz, a beer or fruccs at Szimpla Kert, dine at Cafe Kor or Goa or Tom/George or Menza or one of numerous other places, attend a concert at the Liszt Academy or a ballet/opera at the Operahaz, try the pubs and bars on Liszt Ferenc square, or Ellato, or Szandokan, or Piaf (very late night only) and have champagne brunch at Le Meridien hotel on Sunday mid-day. Clearly my friends are fit and have strong livers. ;)

5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Hortobagyi Husos Palacsinta or goose liver with szarvasgomba.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Eggs, spicy Dijon mustard, hot mango chutney, capers, demi-glace.

7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?
Smink, followed closely by horgazom.

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Radio stations that don't play crappy pop music or a lot of 80s stuff.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Art design in film or theatre or professional portrait painter/mural painter.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
One that has too little holiday or makes me get up before 8 am. Oh, I would also cringe at being a telemarketer.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Porec, Croatia, then New York, then London.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Argentina (polo training in the Pampas)

13 What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Horseback riding and Downhill Skiing, reading, gaming (board games, RP games, card games, arcade games)

14. What can't you resist?
Shameless flirtation.

15. Red wine or white?
Red. Dry.

16. Book or movie?
Both, but I read the book first.

17. Morning person or night person?
Definitely an owl.

18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog, but cats have a certain slinky, aloof charm as well.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda for sleep and hiking, Pest for fun and work.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
"Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast." - O.W.