I skipped a few days because I was just too busy and my creating juices kind of dried up. Nothing spectacular happened since I wrote the last time so nobody missed anything.
Yesterday, Thursday night my wife and I went to a theater. We went to see a Spanish Flamenco show. Every year this one theater has a Flamenco festival and this was the third one I saw. It is really interesting and entertaining. The performers are all from Spain however the audience is really mixed.
Very little is being said and just like in the opera we don't understand a word of it. But the dancing compensates us.
Something else.
This morning we awoke to a white city. It was snowing and by noon it looks like winter wonderland. They say today's snow is nothing compared to what can be expected for next Tuesday. If it gets here it supposed to be a doozie.
That is what we need, in the "middle of Spring" a snowstorm.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Tuesday
On Tuesdays and Fridays we are having cleaning days in our house. That means getting up at the crack of dawn to go down to the laundry room and then cleaning the house from to bottom.
To define crack of dawn it is 6:30 am. The laundry room in our building opens at 7 so we always try to be the first ones. Most of the time we succeed. By 9 am laundry is done then Abigail is off to school.
We have somebody coming to help with the cleaning so my job is just to stay out of the way. And that is not very easy. My lovely wife has the habit of trying to keep everybody busy. And that means that she always finds something for me to do.
Might that be physical or mental work it is still exhausting. It is now 2 pm and I am already tired and that has nothing to do with age.
Something else.
This morning the neighborhood had a little excitement. A young allegedly Pakistanian man was standing on the roof ledge of a neighboring building threatening to jump. It took about three hours until the police got him off the ledge but still it was a pretty scary sight to see a man in that situation.
I firmly believe that he never meant to jump. If he did he would have done it right at the moment he stepped up to the ledge and not wait three hours. He just wanted attention and publicity.
It is visible on the picture where he was standing. Sorry for the quality but this was the best I could do.
To define crack of dawn it is 6:30 am. The laundry room in our building opens at 7 so we always try to be the first ones. Most of the time we succeed. By 9 am laundry is done then Abigail is off to school.
We have somebody coming to help with the cleaning so my job is just to stay out of the way. And that is not very easy. My lovely wife has the habit of trying to keep everybody busy. And that means that she always finds something for me to do.
Might that be physical or mental work it is still exhausting. It is now 2 pm and I am already tired and that has nothing to do with age.
Something else.
This morning the neighborhood had a little excitement. A young allegedly Pakistanian man was standing on the roof ledge of a neighboring building threatening to jump. It took about three hours until the police got him off the ledge but still it was a pretty scary sight to see a man in that situation.
I firmly believe that he never meant to jump. If he did he would have done it right at the moment he stepped up to the ledge and not wait three hours. He just wanted attention and publicity.
It is visible on the picture where he was standing. Sorry for the quality but this was the best I could do.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Monday
The Hungarian version of brandy is called pálinka. Although I hate brandy in all its shape and form somehow the Hungarian version I like.
This stuff can be made from any fruit like pear, plum, grape or anything else.
Many families have home made pálinka and they usually have higher alcohol content than the store bought. We had the good fortune to taste a few samples of home made pálinka.
Since I wasn't driving much I really had the chance to enjoy the joys of good drinking. Upon our leaving we received three bottles of this good Hungarian stuff. Customs never even batted an eye and the bottles came home undisturbed.
We still have one bottle left.
It is interesting that if I drink even just a tiny amount of the American brandy it kind of shakes me. The Hungarian version is fine with no after effect.
Maybe it is in my genes.
This stuff can be made from any fruit like pear, plum, grape or anything else.
Many families have home made pálinka and they usually have higher alcohol content than the store bought. We had the good fortune to taste a few samples of home made pálinka.
Since I wasn't driving much I really had the chance to enjoy the joys of good drinking. Upon our leaving we received three bottles of this good Hungarian stuff. Customs never even batted an eye and the bottles came home undisturbed.
We still have one bottle left.
It is interesting that if I drink even just a tiny amount of the American brandy it kind of shakes me. The Hungarian version is fine with no after effect.
Maybe it is in my genes.
Monday, March 6, 2017
Sunday
The week before we arrived in Hungary the temperature was if not balmy but still very pleasant. While we were there it was unpleasantly cool and sometimes rainy.
Here in New York while we were in Hungary the weather was almost summer like with high temperatures.
We arrive back in New York and the temperature drops. Saturday it was around freezing all day. At night we went out to dinner and I almost froze to death after that. Sunday, today was not any better either.
After our leaving Hungary the temperature rose again to a very pleasant level. Maybe there is a message somewhere.
It is funny how we are affecting the weather around the world!
Here in New York while we were in Hungary the weather was almost summer like with high temperatures.
We arrive back in New York and the temperature drops. Saturday it was around freezing all day. At night we went out to dinner and I almost froze to death after that. Sunday, today was not any better either.
After our leaving Hungary the temperature rose again to a very pleasant level. Maybe there is a message somewhere.
It is funny how we are affecting the weather around the world!
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Saturday
Overall, this recent visit was more of a working visit than the previous ones. I didn't have a chance to eat as much as I used to or as I would have wanted to. I missed the good Hungarian foods. Although we twice ate at my mother-in-law's house and her cooking is first class, so I really can not complain.
On the other hand we traveled across Hungary and I had the chance to see places I never knew existed. And I am grateful for that.
We had one more unscheduled little event but like the others this one also turned out fine.
Our rental car was a Citroën Diesel. Immediately upon receipt of the car the Service light was on accompanied with French notes. We didn't pay any attention until on Wednesday night trying to leave Mako the car didn't start.
After lots of calls back and forth with the rental company it turned out that there was an additive in the car that they put in Diesel cars because of emission and when that additive runs out the engine will not run.
Two hours wait later they brought down a replacement car, a Toyota SUV that we had until we left for home.
Fortunately, I was not the cause of this problem.
On the other hand we traveled across Hungary and I had the chance to see places I never knew existed. And I am grateful for that.
We had one more unscheduled little event but like the others this one also turned out fine.
Our rental car was a Citroën Diesel. Immediately upon receipt of the car the Service light was on accompanied with French notes. We didn't pay any attention until on Wednesday night trying to leave Mako the car didn't start.
After lots of calls back and forth with the rental company it turned out that there was an additive in the car that they put in Diesel cars because of emission and when that additive runs out the engine will not run.
Two hours wait later they brought down a replacement car, a Toyota SUV that we had until we left for home.
Fortunately, I was not the cause of this problem.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Friday
There were a few dark spots in our visits but to be honest I was the cause of them.
In Budapest there is no such a thing as free street parking. Now I learned it the hard way.
One evening we went out to dinner with my cousin in the center of the City and I thought that just because there was no parking ticket machine on the side I parked it was free. Well, it was not. By the time we finished dinner there was a whopping parking ticket on the car.
Understandably my wife was very angry at my misjudgment and I really got it from her. In order to avoid late charges we paid the ticket the next day at a post office.
But this was nothing compared to the next fiasco I caused.
We went to a short visit to my cousin's apartment. He lives in the heart of the City and finding parking is almost impossible there. However, next to his building there is a short street where it seemed there was a lot of available paring space.
Without thinking I left the car there and followed my wife up to his apartment. We talked for a while and when we decided to leave to my greatest dismay the parking authorities were there placing a ticket on the car. I wasn't to upset until my wife pointed out that the right rear tire also had a boot on.
Fortunately these people were there and after about 45 minutes and a lot of Forint the boot was removed.
But that was the easy part. What I got from my wife afterward was the worst. First the blame then the silent treatment. I don't wish it on anybody. Eventually she forgave me but right there and then it was bad.
I always say that there is something good in every bad thing.
This happened after eight in the evening. These people work only until ten pm and start at six in the morning. We had to be at the airport by about 5:30 am the next morning.
What would have happened if we couldn't get the boot removed?
In Budapest there is no such a thing as free street parking. Now I learned it the hard way.
One evening we went out to dinner with my cousin in the center of the City and I thought that just because there was no parking ticket machine on the side I parked it was free. Well, it was not. By the time we finished dinner there was a whopping parking ticket on the car.
Understandably my wife was very angry at my misjudgment and I really got it from her. In order to avoid late charges we paid the ticket the next day at a post office.
But this was nothing compared to the next fiasco I caused.
We went to a short visit to my cousin's apartment. He lives in the heart of the City and finding parking is almost impossible there. However, next to his building there is a short street where it seemed there was a lot of available paring space.
Without thinking I left the car there and followed my wife up to his apartment. We talked for a while and when we decided to leave to my greatest dismay the parking authorities were there placing a ticket on the car. I wasn't to upset until my wife pointed out that the right rear tire also had a boot on.
Fortunately these people were there and after about 45 minutes and a lot of Forint the boot was removed.
But that was the easy part. What I got from my wife afterward was the worst. First the blame then the silent treatment. I don't wish it on anybody. Eventually she forgave me but right there and then it was bad.
I always say that there is something good in every bad thing.
This happened after eight in the evening. These people work only until ten pm and start at six in the morning. We had to be at the airport by about 5:30 am the next morning.
What would have happened if we couldn't get the boot removed?
Friday, March 3, 2017
Thursday
Since we plan to move around a lot in Hungary we rented a car. We asked for a Volkswagen but instead we got a Citroën Diesel. I wasn't too happy with the Diesel but hey, que sera sera.
At this time we headed to Szeged because we planned to be there for about three days. The trip down there was very peasant because the roads went through some beautiful countryside. The highlight of the this trip was that we stopped at a Halászcsárda (Fish Restaurant) where we had a fantastic meal spiked with good drinks.
To call a Halászcsárda a Fish Restaurant is just not right. It takes away from what the establishment really is. The fish soup is actually called halászlé which is a lot more than just plain fish soup. It is made from a variety of different Hungarian fish and it just tastes fantastic.
This is what we ate and were fortunate enough to have this type of meal another time.
We stayed in Szeged because my wife had business to take care of but had time to look around the city.
Szeged and neighboring Mako are both lovely cities. They are clean and full of nice buildings. One can feel the history of the country at these places.
We also had the opportunity to visit Mohács where history abounds.
During our stay in Hungary we had the additional opportunity to visit Köszeg and Szombathely. These two cities are in the Northwest corner of the country and the trip was very enlightening.
I was born in Budapest and didn't see much of the country before. On this trip I had the opportunity to drive it from one end to the other and honestly I really enjoyed it.
I saw fertile farmlands, I saw mountains. I saw cities and I saw villages and in short it is a beautiful country.
At this time we headed to Szeged because we planned to be there for about three days. The trip down there was very peasant because the roads went through some beautiful countryside. The highlight of the this trip was that we stopped at a Halászcsárda (Fish Restaurant) where we had a fantastic meal spiked with good drinks.
To call a Halászcsárda a Fish Restaurant is just not right. It takes away from what the establishment really is. The fish soup is actually called halászlé which is a lot more than just plain fish soup. It is made from a variety of different Hungarian fish and it just tastes fantastic.
This is what we ate and were fortunate enough to have this type of meal another time.
We stayed in Szeged because my wife had business to take care of but had time to look around the city.
Szeged and neighboring Mako are both lovely cities. They are clean and full of nice buildings. One can feel the history of the country at these places.
We also had the opportunity to visit Mohács where history abounds.
During our stay in Hungary we had the additional opportunity to visit Köszeg and Szombathely. These two cities are in the Northwest corner of the country and the trip was very enlightening.
I was born in Budapest and didn't see much of the country before. On this trip I had the opportunity to drive it from one end to the other and honestly I really enjoyed it.
I saw fertile farmlands, I saw mountains. I saw cities and I saw villages and in short it is a beautiful country.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Wednesday
i have returned from the other side of the world. Well, actually not the other side just a little over.
On February 17 my wife and I boarded a Lufthansa flight to Munich, Germany. Why Munich? Because that was where we took the connection to Budapest.
It seems that there are differences between overseas flights even within the same airline.
In December of last year my wife flew over to Frankfurt and the meal was mac and cheese and not much else.
This time we had a choice between chicken breast and some vegetarian meal. We obviously chose the chicken and I have to admit it was great.
Before the meal they came around and offered drinks, alcoholic drinks with no charge. I believe in accepting anything the airline offers since it is paid for. So, we had some drink. With the dinner we had the choice of having champagne which we naturally had.
Why just those capitalists in first or business class should get all the good stuff. To our great surprise after diner they came around and offered Baileys as aperitif. At that point we decided that Lufthansa will be our flag carrier.
In between meals, we also had breakfast, they offered small snacks.
The flight was uneventful and after waiting a few hours in Munich we boarded the Budapest flight and finally landed in the old country a little after noon.
Since flying in from a European Union country (Germany) passport control is non existent. Our arrival was on time.
My mother-in-law and her husband waited for us at the airport with made the arrival more pleasant. There is nothing colder than arriving at an airport with nobody waiting.
On February 17 my wife and I boarded a Lufthansa flight to Munich, Germany. Why Munich? Because that was where we took the connection to Budapest.
It seems that there are differences between overseas flights even within the same airline.
In December of last year my wife flew over to Frankfurt and the meal was mac and cheese and not much else.
This time we had a choice between chicken breast and some vegetarian meal. We obviously chose the chicken and I have to admit it was great.
Before the meal they came around and offered drinks, alcoholic drinks with no charge. I believe in accepting anything the airline offers since it is paid for. So, we had some drink. With the dinner we had the choice of having champagne which we naturally had.
Why just those capitalists in first or business class should get all the good stuff. To our great surprise after diner they came around and offered Baileys as aperitif. At that point we decided that Lufthansa will be our flag carrier.
In between meals, we also had breakfast, they offered small snacks.
The flight was uneventful and after waiting a few hours in Munich we boarded the Budapest flight and finally landed in the old country a little after noon.
Since flying in from a European Union country (Germany) passport control is non existent. Our arrival was on time.
My mother-in-law and her husband waited for us at the airport with made the arrival more pleasant. There is nothing colder than arriving at an airport with nobody waiting.
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