Not many people know this, but “Budapest” is an ancient word originating from east of the Ural Mountains that has been carried overland through Central Asia and Turkey and means “place of the fast metro escalators”. (crickets) Wow, tough crowd. … Continue reading
Category Archives: Hungary
Beneath Peter’s office—do you remember that office? The one a semi-famous girl owns? Would a photo help jog your memory? Recent studies have conclusively shown that true cognitive recognition only comes after a third viewing: Beneath Peter’s office I saw Andrew … Continue reading
Do you know the movie “Duplicity” with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen? There is a scene with Clive Owen at a cafe with, as she is otherwise credited, a “stunning blonde” whom you see below. She doesn’t know it, but … Continue reading
320 forint (US$1.45) is extremely expensive for transport when you consider two things: 1–You can’t transfer on a regular ticket. Budapest doesn’t have a system like most (all?) major cities in Europe where one ticket will get you to your … Continue reading
We watched the Holland-Spain World Cup soccer final in a part of town that I hadn’t been to since 2005, which coincidentally was the last year Arjen Robben passed the ball. It’s a shame the final can never be as … Continue reading
Nothing boils my blood like dealing with my own embassy abroad. I like to think I am a reasonable, mild-mannered guy, but something about American embassies and consulates scratches at my very core. It usually starts with the local guards … Continue reading
I am in the Jewish quarter, the old Budapest ghetto in Erzsebetvaros (Elizabeth Town), near Klauzal Square, its epicenter. There is a little antique shop on the square that’s always closed when I walk by but doesn’t look abandoned, and … Continue reading
I love flea markets like I love the American flag. Did that sound patriotic enough for the fourth of July? I didn’t see any local celebrations in Budapest at all, but it’s OK. It’s OK because someday…someday we will ALL … Continue reading
I made a short pilgrimage to Cegled, a quiet little town about an hour southeast of Budapest, to see an old friend and her family, and to get a haircut, which I always like to do in small towns no … Continue reading
Greg and I decided to test out the new highway and hitchhike from Pecs back to Budapest. We like to save money, too, and while 4400 forint (US$20) for a three hour train ticket to the capital wouldn’t kill us, … Continue reading
