Charlize Theron's shaky grasp of geography: I adored Turkey and its capital, Budapest

**Honey** · January 20th, 2008, 02:34 AM

She has a reputation as one of Hollywood's more intelligent actresses, but Charlize Theron showed a shaky grasp of geography when discussing her travels.

The blonde Oscar winner talked passionately about visiting Budapest and mentioned the Hungarian capital three times by name in an interview.
Except she meant the Turkish city of Istanbul, which she visited with her boyfriend actor Stuart Townsend while the pair "backpacked" around the world.
The 32-year-old South African actress said: "We went to Turkey. When we got over there, we rented a car and we drove all the way to Budapest. By the time we got to Budapest it was like the Cannes Film Festival, I'd never seen anything like it."
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Charlize Theron: showed a shaky grasp of geography when discussing her travels

Miss Theron had actually turned up in the midst of the Istanbul International Film Festival.
She described buying Turkish carpets, visiting a Turkish bazaar and the lavish attention she received in "Budapest".
The star added: "When we travel, it's like backpacking. We don't stay in fancy hotels. We like to go and be part of the culture."
Miss Theron was being interviewed to promote In The Valley Of Elah, her first film since her trip. She plays a detective who helps search for a US soldier missing after returning from Iraq.

Actress Charlize Theron's shaky grasp of geography: 'I adored Turkey....and its capital, Budapest' | the Daily Mail

**mrs.v** · January 20th, 2008, 02:38 AM

wow,must've been awkward..

**DontMindMe** · January 20th, 2008, 03:53 AM

Next she'll speak passionately about her trip overseas to Canada...

**A*O** · January 20th, 2008, 04:08 AM

Geography 101: Without checking Google or an atlas, what is the capital of Turkey (clue: it's NOT Istanbul)

Anyway, I don't care if she's a bit sketchy about this stuff, I think Charlise Theron is one of the most beautiful, versatile and talented actresses in Hollywood. She's up there with Cate Blanchett IMO.

**Yoko Ono** · January 20th, 2008, 04:22 AM

I think Charlize was having a blonde moment. lol

**yoohoo** · January 20th, 2008, 04:25 AM

I think---without checking--it's Ankara or something like that.

**sprynkles** · January 20th, 2008, 04:38 AM

What A*O said.
I love Char.

**A*O** · January 20th, 2008, 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by yoohoo

I think---without checking--it's Ankara or something like that.

Ding Ding Ding! Have a cigar

**Chilly Willy** · January 20th, 2008, 04:49 AM

I always get Bulgaria, Budapest, and Bukarest confused. I use all three names arbitrarily, even though I know which is which. Shit happens.

I doubt that she went backpacking, though. I just had a good old backpacking experience, and I can't imagine that's what she did. Having 18-year-old Brits puke in fornt of your door. Loud music till 5 am. Crazy hippies telling me about "the light" for two hours straight. Shared bathrooms. And this:

"Like backpacking" my ass.

**Honey** · January 20th, 2008, 04:51 AM

FFS

**A*O** · January 20th, 2008, 04:57 AM

For you Chilly - A cheesy video with cheesy lyrics but I LOVE this song!

YouTube - Toto - "Africa" Music Video

**Ravenna** · January 20th, 2008, 07:55 AM

I find it pretty strange to get it wrong when she has actually been to the city. How can you not know which city is in which country you've visited? I suppose it was just a momentary slip.

**celeb_2006** · January 20th, 2008, 08:18 AM

She's hot, and that's the only reason why she gets a pass. If she be ugly fuggeaboutit

**WhateverLolaWants** · January 20th, 2008, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by Ravenna

I find it pretty strange to get it wrong when she has actually been to the city. How can you not know which city is in which country you've visited? I suppose it was just a momentary slip.

I would guess she's traveled a lot...more than me and I've made the same, stupid oops. I was talking about my trip to Manchester Scotland, once (heh)

In my defense, it was an England and Scotland trip, and Manchester just feels like its in Scotland

So, considering how she's rich and famous and worldly, she probably was making a trip touring that part of the world and got mixed up. Oh, and Budapest IS pretty darn cool, if it was Budapest she really meant.