Government Week: Hungary

Yesterday we were on to Republics and Hungary, our 46th stop on our trip around the world. 

First up, I had delusions of grandeur, for our government week. We were going to enact each different type that we were covering, and while we've *sort of* done that, I've honestly been lucky to get through the country and explaining the way the government in those places work. It's not the greatest of theme weeks, but with Economy week coming up, I think it'll all come together ok in the end. 

But anyway, on to 'Republic'. Basically a Republic has four things: An executive branch, a judicial branch, a legislative branch, and most importantly certain unalienable rights given to it's citizens by way of a Constitution. 

Some people think you need those things for a Democracy, but technically, you don't. And we've talked before about how these different types of government often overlap. You can have a Republic and a Democracy. Like, how a square is a rectangle. All you need for a rectangle is two parallel sides and four right angels, so while a square fits the bill, it also has it's own name because a square is slightly different, if that makes sense. Asa's the one good at analogies, not me. 

But think of it this way, at least in terms of the United States. A Republic is like the system of government, while Democracy is more about how people come to power, or at least that's how it works here. We're a Representative Democracy, but we're also a Republic. 

Because people in a republic have rights that can't be taken away, even if everyone voted for it. There's some laws you just can't make, because they would be unconstitutional, and take away certain unalienable rights. See: Travel Ban. 

Hungary is a Republic, and while there are other good examples, I'm saving those countries for other things, so here we are at the country that gave us goulash, Attila the Hun, and Rubik's cubes. 

The 15th most popular tourist destination in the world, it's a country with a mix of old and new, night clubs and coffee shops set against the backdrop of old world architecture. 

They've also got more than 1,000 thermal springs, including the Heviz, the largest natural thermal spring in the world. You could also visit the Szechenyi baths in Budapest, which are equally impressive. There are 15 indoor baths and 3 big outdoor pools, and it's been open over 100 years! 

The people from Hungary call themselves Magyars. It's the name of the earliest tribe to settle the land (from the Ural mountains), but it's also the name of the Hungarian language. Apparently it's kind of crazy, with 44 letters! 

We also learned in Hungary, you shouldn't clink your glasses, as it is considered bad manners. During the 1849 war with Austria, some Austrians celebrated the death of some Magyars by smugly clinking their glasses. 

The boys made their Hungary postcards. 

Calib had a few Hungarian cowboys in his. 

While Peyton focused on the large thermal baths. 

And Hayden really liked the story about the six miles of labyrinth under Buda castle that is said to be haunted. 

A couple of weeks ago we even got a postcard from Budapest from one of my distant cousins who lives in Wales but vacations in some of the coolest places, including Hungary. Thanks Chris (and Ric!) 

Hungarians also have a love of their paprika, so we ordered some for dinner. 

Hungary's most consumed fruit is grapes (plus Sprouts had them on sale), but we also had Chicken Paprikash, Cabbage Balushka, and Hungarian Salad. 

Dessert was a little delayed. We should have put this in a 9x13 pan, so it took awhile to cook and ended up really high (this picture doesn't do it's tall-ness justice!) But it was Hungarian Coffee Cake. 

This dinner earned six spoons up. 

Nobody really minded the cabbage in the noodles, which surprised me. (Although Allison said she would take lots, so the boys gave some of theirs away). But the salad was awesome. We all had our doubts, but it turns out the combo was actually delicious. All the adults, and Calib had a second helping. The dessert was weird. It was like banana bread, without the banana. Nobody minded it, but it really wasn't that flavorful, or exciting. 

We colored Hungary in a brand new green color. 

46 countries down, 147 to go. 

Next Up: Monarchies and Monaco!