Downtown photo

And another photo from my yesterday's walk around downtown, for those who like photographs rather than reading. I also put up a zoomed image of the church in the back, since the resolution on the first image is so low.

Indians at Nyugati

Here is a picture of some Indians playing music at the Nyugati underground pass. I am never sure whether the term Native American Indians is applicable to Mezzo and South American Indians or it is used only for those living in the US and Canada. In any case, these Indians were doing their music gig here, selling Cd's, etc. In the old days their performances used to draw a much larger crowd and they played at Astoria, Vaci utca, etc. Maybe they still do, I just never see them. A funny thing that Nyugati means Western in English.

Also, I began seeing them in other countries around Europe, it was quite amazing to see that this genre they developed spread all over Europe. An addition to the original look are the tribal chief feathers and clothes. I could swear that this attire is all North-American (maybe Hollywood?), while these performers are from Peru, but I am no expert when it comes to Native Americans. Perhaps someone could tell me what is going on?

In any case, people stopped and listened, they seemed to like it.

Tax audits, brain drain and the Gyurcsany government

Once again, last night I drove past the Parliament and the same group of demonstrators were still there, opposite of the Kossuth-ter metro station. This time I counted them and found only 8 people, a couple of whom appeared to be just passing by but got involved in discussing something with the "rioters." There were no banners, only a huge national flag.

At the same time, I hear from friends and relations that the new economic sanctions of the government are in motion: people are being audited by APEH, the Hungarian Tax Bureau. Rumors have it that the auditors get a bonus per each fine they can enforce and they approach each company with a clear figure in mind, regardless of what they find. If this is true, and I am not saying it is, the government is simply blackmailing money out of entrepreneurs. Surely, this cannot be good for the economy.

Other friends, more in the intellectual rather than the business sphere, are thinking of leaving the country, going to the UK, Germany, wherever. In other words, the government is effectuating a negative brain drain, pushing human capital out of the country.

Perhaps friends exaggerate a bit but the mood is definitely far from being merry this Christmas. Plus, there is nothing to exaggerate, if at least 5 people you know are getting a tax audit concurrently. The wheels are in motion.

Whatever happened to the riots

I was driving by the Parliament last night and saw a small group of people with flags and banners, demanding the resignation of PM Ferenc Gyurcsany and his entire government. There were about 20 people in total but they all looked quite determined.

Now a month ago there were thousands of people around the Parliament with flags, banners and load speakers swearing that they would rather die than leave the spot, unless Gyurcsany resigned. He did not resign, of course, but the demonstrators disappeared. Instead, you have only a handful, not quite as angry as before. The rest of the tough guys were back home watching Desperate Housewives on TV2. This shows how much dedication and will power it takes to stand up for what you believe.

At the same time, I have to admit that the look on the face of these demonstrators by the Parliament last night was more fanatic than heroic. But perhaps all revolutionaries are like that up close and only time makes them into graceful heroes. In reality they are just people who refuse to go home because they A) are fanatics, B) have nothing to go home to, C) are simply stubborn.

Old lady attacks me on the tram

Just got back to Budapest after a couple of months abroad -- everything looks exciting, if a bit gray, exotic. As part of the readjustment process my girlfriend suggested to take the tram, since traffic has gotten so bad in the past months that there is absolutely nowhere to park in the downtown area. Plus, there are these Combino trams, might be fun to try them.

Cool, the sun is shining, it is a great morning. We wait for the tram at the Buda side of the Margaret island. We get on, merrily chit-chatting. Then, all of a sudden, an old hag growls at me, grumbling with acid hostility: "Laughing at other's expense, huh?"

What?! I think I misheard something and look at my girlfriend who does not understand her either. Beg your pardon? She repeats the same remark, now with more bile, seeing that she managed to pour her venom into my ears. What do you mean?

She makes a few other remarks like that and then we get off. Wow! Now that was something. Getting vomited on just for being in a good mood. Welcome back to Budapest, sir!

:)