The Posta

I (Nancy) just got back from mailing some letters at the post office (posta) and thought I would let you know about the post office in Hungary.  This is where we mail letters and packages and buy stamps.  But that is not all.  We can buy all sorts of magazines and newspapers and merchandise like purses and toys.  Snacks and soft drinks are available for purchase along with bus tickets and even car insurance!  When a fee is owed a government office, like for a driver's license or a filing fee, official stamps in the amount owed are purchased at the posta and the stamps presented at the government office.
The posta is where we pay our bills, too.  When we receive bills in the mail, like the internet or phone bills, they attach a slip of paper (csekk, pronounced "check") with all the information on it.  We take the csekk to the clerk at the posta who places it in a scanner.  We give the clerk the cash to pay for the bill, she gives us a receipt, and the bill is paid.  It is an efficient and reliable way to pay bills.
Hope you enjoyed this little bit of information about the post office in Hungary.  Any questions?