I have been having the best time over here in Europe but after the day is done my head is always swarming with thoughts about how the world over here was totally different than what one would associate with life in more western, democratic societies. My impressions of Hungary culminate into a perplexing mix of both honor and guilt. To clarify, I am honored that the people we met were so hospitable to our group in helping us to understand thoroughly the gravity of Communism's past in Hungary. On the other hand I experienced emotions bordering on a sort of quiet remorse when I saw the state of their economy and other trials they face in light of still slowly adapting to a free market economy. The contrition comes from my own personal disillusionment with the suitability of a capitalist system. By this I mean that I truly began to reconsider my own opinions about a free market economy and made the decision the methods of a capitalist society are not always appropriate. People we spoke with in Budapest told us that Hungarians expect their government to provide for them. With that I find a great deal of freedom that must be sacrificed, a compromise that does not translate well into a capitalist context. I sensed that many people in Budapest were wanting more back from the government than they felt they were receiving. Perhaps even that the tax structure in conjunction with an unstable economic turn has only fueled the flames of corruption within governance. I cannot still understand why a capitalist system has been more successful in neighboring countries of Hungary, but it seems to cause such struggle there.
Prague seems to be an entirely different place than Budapest. I would have to say I feel more at home here because I feel that it is more westernized, or closer to the cultures of other countries I've visited like the UK and France, therefore resting in my comfort zone. The language barrier here has not been so difficult as there seems to be a general enthusiasm for western commercialism, that brings English along with it. Everything from Ford Automobiles all the way to way to Remax, Czech people seem to have brought in more American business than I saw in Budapest (that had a lot of Hungarian businesses). I still have a lot to learn and explore here, I think that our visit to RFE/RL will be one of the best yet! Much more sausage and Czech beverages on the way!
- Will Flourance
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