Obviously there has been an issue with people on the Budapest Metro moving around large numbers of unwrapped saplings.  It’s good that they’re finally doing something about this problem! 

Two questions spring to mind.  Where is Maryanne and why is Uncle Fester giving my good wife the thumbs up?

As my friend Remington would say….

‘Farley, life can be weird like that sometimes.’

  Ten years ago our family had our first trip to Europe. We tried to do too much on too little money.  By the time we arrived in Budapest the cash had almost run out, Nat was sick and Mitch had become a teenager almost overnight.  He had left a trail of belongings throughout Europe – cameras, clothing, other odds and ends. We loved the trip, but not Budapest.

This time it is so different. Linda enjoyed her conference and I enjoyed wandering with Maryanne. We have loved Budapest.

(My gait goes: walk – stroll – trudge – hobble – cramps – stop)

We have changed, but so has Budapest. Hungary had a tough transition from communism to capitalism. The political corruption had the opportunity to morph into free trade corruption. Some of the more elderly locals still long nostalgically for the certainties of socialism – full under-employment, free health care, cheap shitty crap from Russia aplenty. There was less crime and the place was dour but more innocent- none of the Brit Boys Brothel Tours, stag parties or hens’ parties that have become a feature of Budapest today.

Hungary now, Budapest in particular, is a lot more optimistic and a lot more forward looking. The Germans have invested a great deal of money, Budapest has had several coats of paint and the place is full of energy.  The young people are staying, or even coming back. There is less reliance on tourism as the main earner of foreign currency. The driver who took us round today came back from Germany five years ago and will now be here to stay.

There are still some huge challenges. Linda spoke with teachers and social workers who work in the Eighth District and our driver took us there today. This is where most of the Roma live.  Taxis won’t go in there at night, ambulances take a police escort. The human devastation caused by drug addiction and alcoholism was on the streets to be seen at 9am this morning. Other parts of the same district are better – more multiculturalism with a large population of Turks and Chinese expats – but still the feeling af a ghetto 2km from the wealthy city centre.  (Mind you, Redfern and Belview Hill are almost neighbours, or Wine Drive and Wirra Wirra Street)

We have more exploring to do. A restraurant meal at Bock Bistro a couple of nights ago would rate in our top two or three best meals ever. We have another restaurant meal tonight. We are going for a dip in one of Budapest’s thermal baths, having some conference attendees from the Shetland Islands over for dinner, and catching a train to a small town outside the city – all in the next two days.

More Walk – stroll – trudge – hobble – cramps – stop.  But I wouldn’t swap it for quids.

F C-S