It is hard for people to leave Budapest... at least the ones I know staying at my hostel. Most everyone there has extended their stay past what they were originally planning. Of the 10 people I've shared a dorm room with, only 2 have left when they originally planned! And those two may come back again this weekend! I don't know if its the city or the hostel, but something is keeping people from leaving!
Party With the 15 Year Olds!
This past weekend a group of 8 or so from the hostel went down to a local night club. The group at the table next to us was very friendly and seemed to be having a good time drinking and smoking... but they looked a bit young! We eventually had to ask, and found out that they were all 15 or 16 years old! Definitely a different feel from nightlife in the States... The laws are a bit more leanient and relaxed here I suppose. But they were very nice and I learned a lot about Hungary from them!
The Cat (again)
I have received quite a few e-mails inquiring about the cat, so I suppose I should give her another section of this journal entry. She has haunted a few more of the new guests over the past couple nights, so I am not alone. I did see her attempt to steal a drink of Vodka the other day as well... I don't if she suceeded or not, but based on her attitude, I wouldn't be surprised. And yesterday morning she followed me into bathroom so I put some hair gel on her head and gave her a little mohawk... I should've taken a picture...
Jewish Ghetto
In World War II, the facist governments of Europe rounded up Jewish people and forced them to live in designated areas of the city. Conditions were terrible and rights and freedoms were stripped away. I walked through the area of Budapest that was the Jewish Ghetto back then. ?It appears to be a 'normal' neighborhood now, but Its a bit erie knowing what took place there just 60 years ago. There is still a Jewish population in the area, so there is still some physical evidence of the history.
Hungarian Food
A group of us went to a Hungarian buffet yesterday. It was quite good. The food isn't all that exotic- meat, potatoes, soups, heavy sauces. But it was still good to experience that aspect of the local culture nonetheless.
