Adapting to the pace of life in Hungary

I am a very early riser (I have been throughout in my life). When living in Hungary I rised at 3.00 or 4.00 AM, shops are open at 7.00 AM (typically).

Life is very easy going, restaurants are open (often at 11.00 (when we went for lunch)). Shopping at 7.00 AM if needed, but typically massively (normally once per 2 weeks).

Cigarettes and alcohol once per 2 months (again massively), easy to order 300 packages of marlboro and as for Jameson Whisky also easy to order 30 liter.

Wine and meat, via Internet and home delivery (both massively as we had a freezer and place to store) (unlike the current location, but that is another matter).

In Hungary people tend to start early and also go to bed early.

We went to concerts, performances in Keszthely Theater (good and cheap by the way), but streets are completely empty after 9.00 PM.

At in the Hungary times I went to bed at 7.00 PM at the latest (as I do now), suited me very well. What is good in Hungarian countryside people tend to keep to themself after 5.00/6.00 pm (I think Budapest will be different though)

I am 61, so productivity is not too relevant, cleaning out the dishwasher was the main exercise on the day (a bit playing with the dog and now and than cleaning the pond), when I want bureaucracy and financial matters. Bottom line in Hungary life (as an elderly person) is easy.

Walking with my wife at 8.00 AM was a habit a few times per week, afterwards she goes swimming in Heviz Lake and I go home.

@Cheryl

How have you managed to harmonise your own pace of life with the pace of life in Hungary?

I'm not in Hungary all the time because I have friends and family in different countries and I love to travel. I have also kept a home in the UK with my now grown up family.

I've got used to the slower paced lifestyle and tend to go shopping at quieter times.

I spend a lot of time in the summer in the Hungarian countryside where I've still got my original cottage in the forest.

Over the years a number of people have stayed there and helped me with the garden.

Have you felt a change in your biological rhythm (diet, sleep, energy, etc.)? How can you minimise the effects on your well-being and adapt to changes in your circadian rhythm?

I always sleep really well in the countryside. There is very little Internet in the forest and most Hungarians living along our lane tend to go to bed very early. I have got used to the peace and quite there.

Budapest has become more busy as time as gone on but it's still very quiet compared to other capital cities I have lived in.

How have you adjusted your sleeping habits to optimise your energy and concentration in a different environment?

My main adjustment was getting older and therefore not working full time. The distinctively different seasons means that I tend to hibernate a bit if I'm in Hungary over the worst of the winter weather.

Shopping, meal and activity times can differ from one culture to another. How do you manage to reconcile your personal habits with those of life in Hungary? What are the benefits and challenges of these adjustments?

I've not had to make many changes. I tend to live my own life wherever . Even if I go on holiday I tend to rent apartments rather than hotel rooms because I like to do my own cooking and my own thing.

How do different working hours affect your productivity and quality of life?

I've got lots of ongoing projects like my art work and I've always tended to work on these in my own pace and in my own place whenever I wish. I love company but I'm not dependant on it.