Interview 2: Russell Skidmore, Photographer

  • 12 Mar 2014 11:00 AM
Interview 2: Russell Skidmore, Photographer
1. What’s been happening at work and at home since your first Xpat Interview?

Click here to read his first interview

I have been doing lots of photography, teaching at Budapest Adschool, voluntary work in some local care homes and orphanages, horse riding again, sailing at Balaton, and rediscovering the many cultural delights that the city has to offer.

2. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you with your life in Hungary, and why?
8 out of 10. Since I came back to Budapest, lot of things has happened. I have met loads of new people, been to lots of fab new places. With some surprises and very few disappointments, I am looking forward to more….

3. What’s the best party you’ve been to while in Hungary, and why?
Having spent a large percentage of my life abusing my body, I’m not so much a party animal now. I rather enjoy the late night out door ruin pubs in the company of friends.

4. What’s your favorite drink?
The one, that is in front of me.

5. What hidden talents do you have?
Giving a foot massage.

6. What was the most interesting travel trip you have ever taken?
Going to Transylvania in the early 1990s. It was like going back in time in a movie.

7. If you were given a wish that could come true, what would you ask for?
To see Mum and Dad again.

8. What’s the last book you read, and movie you watched?
Book: Charles Bukowski “Women”, film: “Philomena”

9. If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?
“You’re a long time in your box…”

10. What is the perfect pizza toppings combination for you?
Spinach, mozzarella and garlic

11. If you could trade places with any other person for a week, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
Hendrix or Morrison 

:-)

12. On a scale of 1 to 10 how unusual are you, and why?
6 out of 10 maybe. I don’t think I’m that unusual, just a bit different. Not scared to try something new. Having lived in London, worked in Paris, Amsterdam and Budapest, I find I am more open to things.

13. What’s the best website you’ve ever visited, and why?
“Dazed and Confused”. :-) It gives me a weekly fix of all up to dates of what is happening culturally.

14. Who do you admire the most, and why?
People who work in care homes. They get paid a basic wage, work very hard and rarely complain.

15. What do you like best and least about living in Hungary?
The best thing about being here is that there are so many things to do, place to go all the time. The least I like is not speaking the language well enough.

16. What has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
Living in London. You learn quickly because you have too.

17. If you won USD 30 million, what would you do with the money?
Pay off some of my friends’ mortgages, give some money to Sheffield United for new players, buy a few new photography things, set up my girlfriend and her mate in a business venture, buy a medium-size yacht to sail on the Balaton and a place to live there for the summer, invest some of the money, and buy that little black dress I’ve been promising my girlfriend…finally.

18. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Shine on you crazy diamond - part 2 (Pink Floyd) Why? Because I’m a bit of both.

19. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
In a small island in the Mediterranean.

20. In ten years from now what will you be doing?
Hopefully what I’m doing now: enjoying life, having fun, travelling to new places and living by the sea, a lake or river.

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