See the world through my eyes
Over the past two decades, I’ve lived in seven cities across four continents – each one offered something different, each one became important to me in its own way. But no matter where I was, the same desire kept driving me: to open up the world around me, to understand the customs of distant cultures, to taste new flavors, and to become part of everyday life.
In Beijing, I learned how to patiently weave through crowds of cyclists.
In Sarajevo, I was touched by the city’s depth – and thanks to my Bulgarian grandfather, my Balkan heart felt instantly at home.
Washington D.C. swept me along for four years – with elegance, urgency, and energy.
In Dakar, the sunshine embraced me each morning as I ran along the coastline with locals.
In Guangzhou, everything turned green; I can still smell the roasted duck from street vendors and the sweetness of mango in the air.
In Istanbul, history sat beside me over a cup of tea.
And now, in Mexico City, time seems to have paused in eternal spring, while the rhythm of salsa gently wraps around everything.
I’ve been writing about these experiences for nine years at the WMN magazine – sharing stories about life abroad, my American-Hungarian marriage, preserving traditions, Hungarian identity, and raising our bilingual child.
Here, you’ll find a selection of my favorite articles.
Though I’ve always been drawn to the unknown, cultural differences have often caught me off guard.
The culture shock I experienced in the U.S. inspired my first book, America! Will You Wave Back? (Syllabux Publishing, 2014), which tells the story of my first steps in the New World and how I met my American husband.
This was followed in 2015 by Túró Rudi with Chopsticks, a collection of stories from everyday life in Beijing – including one of my most cherished memories: volunteering with disadvantaged children.
I’ll always be grateful to my teacher, Zsuzsa Simon, who not only sparked my love of the Russian language and language learning in general, but also believed in me during my rebellious teenage years.
Because of what I’ve experienced, I still find it important to support the next generation.
That’s why I’ve donated the proceeds of my books and the honorariums from my articles to schools and kindergartens in Nyíregyháza and the Szabolcs region of Hungary.
Through the cuisine of countless nations, I’ve discovered family stories, traditions, and flavors – and time and again, I’ve found my way back to my own roots.
This is how Salad Bazaar was born: a space where recipes meet stories – colorful everyday moments, my favorite salads, and the tastes of faraway corners of the world.
Come with me – let’s explore China, Turkey, Mexico, the United States, Senegal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the regions around them.
I’ll share stories about customs, mouthwatering dishes, vibrant people – and everything that connects us.
If you have any questions, feel free to write to me: evazsuzsa@gmail.com
Éva Zsuzsa Trembácz