Xpat Interview: Marina Mayer
- 13 Feb 2012 11:00 AM
I’m an American who lived and worked most of her life in New Jersey. I worked as a Producer for a corporate events company. Then one day I was whisked away by my husband to Europe and the real adventure began. We lived first in Bucharest, Romania and afterwards in Marlow, England. Now, we’ve been living in Hungary for the past 12 years!
I keep busy teaching English and Spanish and being involved in the North American Women’s Association’s (NAWA) charities. These hands-on programs are a wonderful opportunity to spend time with my friends while bringing smiles to those who are needy.
My husband, Peter, and I love to travel and get away whenever we can to explore the European beauty and culture. Peter loves to take photographs of people and has had some exhibits here in Budapest.
We keep fit by working out 3-4 times a week, playing tennis in the summer, skiing in the winter and hiking whenever we can.
We go to the States often and consider ourselves lucky to enjoy the best of both worlds!
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
My husband and I have been living in Budapest since 2000.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, I’ve lived in Romania and England.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The variety and pleasantness of the cafés
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Go to a thermal bath, take pictures at Heroes’ Square and the Castle area, stroll down Andrassy Blvd., go to the opera or a concert, eat fish soup, take a boat trip up and down the Danube.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Kürtöskalács! The cylindrical looking cake I eat at each and every Hungarian festival/fair.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Sour cream.
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Kürtöskalács!
8. What do you miss the most from home?
My family and Chinese food from Chinatown, NY.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Medicine.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Politician.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
New York/New Jersey area.
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Croatia.
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Film: Back to the Future.
14. What can't you resist?
Kürtöskalács!
15. Red wine or white?
Vörös red.
16. Book or movie?
It depends, but usually movie.
17. Morning person or night person?
I’m at my most creative at midnight.
18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
The loneliness of the elderly.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
I live and love Pest. I’m a Pestian.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Smiling is infectious.