Cuckoo for Budapest

Magnet #427 - Cuckoo clock from Budapest

Ok. I give up. I have been trying to find a connection between hedgehogs and Budapest. To no avail. C'mon! Doesn't that little guy on the right look like a hedgehog? He has funny little hair, and a snout! Adorable!

I thought maybe it was a national animal or something, so I looked up Hungary and hedgehogs. To no avail. But, if you wanted to know...the national animal of Hungary is the Turul. Oh, and I found one instance of a family in Budapest that was infected by a rabid hedgehog.

Then, I tried to look up the connection of cuckoo clocks to Budapest. To no avail. But, if you wanted to know, cuckoo clocks were invented in the 17th century deep in the heart of the Black Forest, and in fact, one of the largest, if not the largest cuckoo clocks in the world is still nestled there. (Even though, apparently, people dispute it, saying the largest functioning clock is actually in Wilmot, OH. These are not to be confused with the world's largest free-standing cuckoo clock in St. Goar.)

So then, I figured, ok, maybe it's like a special clock somewhere in town. Nope. But, if you wanted to know, there's a little red hedgehog in a relief just above a doorway of Hess Andras Ter No. 3, a souvenir shop housed in what was the historic Red Hedgehog Inn, dating back to the 14th century. (Further, this square was named for Andras Hess, the first printer of books in Budapest.)

In the end, I can tell you that this cuckoo clock reminds me of the one that we have in our house. Tiny, but loud, it sits on the far wall of our living room, and has always been with us, in whatever house we're in. I don't remember a time before my mom not having this clock. Of course, I also don't remember it being the right time ever in my life, but that's another story.

Good gravy, this hedgehog thing has stymied me every which way from Sunday. I hope I haven't insulted some poor soul...especially if it's like not supposed to be any animal whatsoever. Oh well...but now, I've learned a ton about cuckoo clocks and hedgehogs. But, that's the beauty of a magnet from faraway places.

But. Seriously. How darn cute is this magnet? I heart it. I heart it soooo much. My friend's friend went abroad, and brought back some goodies for me.

Thank you sooo much! Or, köszönöm szépen!!!!