Budapest: Post 2
What a fascinating day 4 was. Serendipity strikes! Yesterday I eventually found a nearby laundrette – looked very dubious doorway, but opened into a fully automated operation. Only I couldn’t see how it all worked. No-one to ask until this man comes in with huge bags of washing . Right: I had the question already translated into Hungarian: “Hol fizessem a mosaass” Since I wear hearing aids and use bluetooth, the message goes into my ears. I try saying it, but at his look of consternation, I thrust the phone at him. “Aah”, he says,” let me show you!”
And really it is not too difficult. You just have to have more faith in product designers, and you can really work it out.
Whilst our washing is being hammered away (my shirts will never be the same), we have a very interesting conversation. He is an American Hungarian, in IT working for a New York company.
József is very encouraging about using the trams and buses and in the next few days I follow his advice. He was also able to describe how Hungarians are still in the process of changing from the need to provide the personal protective shell necessary during the Iron Curtain era. But says that there are still pockets, organisations, which are finding it hard to shrug off the need to control – which explains the strange behaviour witnessed in the National Museum. Hungarians, he says, are really very friendly underneath – if you are lucky enough to witness it. He So, I tested his assertion and departed on…
Day 5: Taking the metro to the Museum of Fine Art. Finding myself in Heroes Square, which Jozsef told me would demonstrate how some organisations have succeeded in freeing themselves from old controlling habits. It was true! You could use the lifts without an escort, and your ticket was checked only once on the way in. It would have been free (an age concession) if only I hadn’t wanted an audio guide. A very enjoyable visit. I particularly enjoyed the Goyas which were well documented in the audio.
My visit to Buda was a washout – it was very hot, but worst of all, it was so crowded, so impossible to move around, crammed on buses up and down. Paddy had been lucky, able to investigate the whole place with Micky and Tim. No gypsies, too many people to really enjoy the vast site. A great disappointment as I had hoped to explore, using Paddy’s description as my guide.
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