BUDAPEST HELLO = GOODBYE

CHEERS

Saying goodbye to the Cheer's crowd. The big guy next to me in back is named 'Atilla'. I'm not kidding. A big name for a big man I told him...



HUNGARY

I've noticed a couple different types of people that stare at me in the streets. I respond to both types with a bland smile and perhaps saying 'servious'.

One type is very angry darker skinned folks. I've only seen a couple of them. They look very, very angry. I suspect they are the 'gypsies' (Roma) and they don't seem to be doing well financially. I can understand the anger.

The other type is miscellaneous Hungarians. Some smile and nod when I try my shitty Hungarian (Magyar) on them, others find somewhere else to look. I believe they are thinking "How did someone so big get so far from a buffet?"



PRICING

I had decent Turkish food (moussaka) with a soda, a piece of pita bread and the worst two falafels I have ever eaten. The first one was so bad that I had to eat the second. Cost, 1500 HUF.

Later for 190 HUF I tried a coco piece of baklava. I didn't like it.



HUNGARIAN 'FAST FOOD'

Here's how it works - they have big steamer trays of food that is not heated. They call this a 'buffet' - but it isn't - at least not in the American sense. So don't get all worked up. Anyway, after you pick out what you want to eat, they microwave it.

Now, here is the rub: You never get it hot. At best, it is always lukewarm. I am thinking there are several possible reasons:

a) Hungarians think hot food is bad for you, the same way that Germans believe ice is unhealthy. [I thought this was a good reason but Zsolt who works at the hostel told me it isn't true.]

b) The people microwaving the food don't really give a fuck if it's hot or not.

c) They want you to be able to quickly scarf it down and get the fuck out of their establishment as seating is usually limited.

d) They want to get you your food faster so they can actually call it 'fast food'.



HUNGARIAN LAW

Something interesting I found out from Sam (at Cheers) regarding the theft (see last blog):

Up to 20,000 HUF is punishable by a fine. Over 20,000 HUF is jail time and such.



NECESSARY HUNGARIAN VOCABULARY

No = "Nem"
Yes = "Egan"
Bye = "See ya" (informal)
Hi = "Salute" or "See ya" (both informal but formal is way to hard to say)



THE FUTURE

After talking to Chris
about Bosnia, I feel much better about my earlier choice. It sounds like it will be very different - and easy to navigate around in.

We'll take a look at it tomorrow and I'll let you know how it goes then. For now, I am off to party with my Polish friends.

KILLING TIME

KILLING TIME




Warning!

This blog contains indigenous nudity. Parental discretion is advised.

The above was it. Sorry.



OBAMA

An interesting article about the US. One quote I liked is "People want freedom, but not when it comes from the barrel of a US gun." It's interesting - it seems that some people want the US involvement, some don't. Some people want it just a little bit, some people want a different arrangement. I'm glad I'm not a politician. Getting involved in the middle east crisis has the same appeal as sticking my dick into a wasp nest. And probably the same results...



MOVIE REVIEW - QUEEN OF THE DAMNED

I'm not sure why nobody but me seems to have liked this movie. Yes, it made less than the budget but it only got a 4.8 on IMDB. I gave it an 8/10. I don't think that it's as good as the books but if you were to consider it a totally seperate story, it's not bad. I did like it a lot better than the higher rated "Interview with a Vampire". Rice and the fans seemed to like that one better, I didn't. Sure, this movie had some weird stuff in it - like the only people who wore hoods to a concert are bad guy vampires but I can go with that. As far as that concert goes, I'd be pissed. A song and a half then the singer gets snatched away? What a pain in the ass. And, it proves that vampires are not good to the last drop...

I think the thing I liked most about this movie is the sound track however. I'd rate that a solid 10/10.



MOVIE REVIEW - CONSPIRACY THEORY

I like this movie - interesting psychological thing. Not sure there is too much I can say about this one without a spoiler, so I won't.

I will say I've always wanted an apartment like the lead character has. It's awesome.

It's a fast food type of movie. Chew through it if you're bored. Like I am. I'd give it a 6/10.



Bosnia

In actuality, it is called 'Bosnia and Herzegovina' but 'Bosnia' is shorter. It looks somewhat interesting - I might check it out after Croatia when I get over to that area. On the upside, it doesn't look like a visa is needed to get in there at all. The downsides are many. Warnings like this: "WARNING: Be aware that due to the constant landmine threat it is better not to leave the paved road, even for a pee-break in areas where you are not familiar with." I can see throwing many tourists off. "If you plan on traveling off the beaten path in Bosnia, be aware that the nation is still in the process of clearing many of the estimated 5 million land mines left around the countryside during the war of 1992-1995. In rural areas try to stay on paved areas if possible, and never touch any armed explosive device. Houses and private property were often rigged with mines as their owners fled during the war. If an area or property looks abandoned, stay away from it until it has been cleared by a demining team." (Same source). Oddly enough, this country is also known for hiking. That's a pretty big 'WTF' in my book. Fear not, I'm not planning on doing any hiking.

Also, the lack of public transportation could be a problem. I'll know more when I get closer to it.