Well I returned to Europe from what now appears to be another world. What happened to all the kindness of Turkey and even Egypt's hassling is a nice alternative to the back to Europe crowd.

Budapest is lovely and although I have had my travel trials and tribulation of having a pickpocket attack, all is still well.

Some observations of Budapest....

If you stay at the Summer Orient Hostel (college dorm turned into a summer hostel)>

a) You realize that your dorm, 20 years ago was like the Taj Majal in comparison. If my wallet had not been stolen, I would leave a can of paint for the students that are coming tomorrow. From the wall graffiti, the last coat was applied in 2001.

b) Someone below the age of 25 will ask you what you are studying....and you smile!

c) The mess hall.. is really a Mess!

d) You see a half naked boy walking out of the community shower...and you smile!

e) I know all the American songs being played by all the students....is there a problem with that?

f) A Latvian, Ecuadorian and French girl living in one small dorm room laugh, love and live...all the same!

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Other things I'ved gone hmmmmm about in Budapest..

Spending a day in the train station was comical, sad or just questionable at times, but a wonderful world to watch on the sidelines.

It warmed my heart to see a warm welcome to the person who just got off the train. You wonder if the open arms are from a friend, boyfriend, mother, sister or grandparent.

I laughed a little at the drunk with the funny feather hat trying to make it down the 30 stairs without falling. Where did he come from, where is he TRYING to go and doesn't the train have an alcohol serving limit?

You wonder how and when the old woman in mix matched clothes began rumaging thru the trash for food.

You laugh at the young man carrying a bunch of flowers, shyly and a bit embarrassed and know that whomever he is presenting them to...will be in love instantly at the sight.

You wonder why some welcomes and departures are addressed with hugs, some with kisses, some without anyone greeting them, some with a greeter but no acknowledgement and you wonder the relationships of all these people.

With girls approaching in cheap polyester hot pink, yellow, lime green underwear with net stockings or glitter eyes and tacky shoes and makeup on...I wonder, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? and WHERE WAS THEIR FRIEND OR FAMILY TO STOP THEM FROM WALKING OUT THE DOOR? Then I look at their friend with identical polyester bad tasting clothing on and I go hmmmmm. It was brought to my attention that they are dressing like *Americans*, Brittany Spears and Cristina Algiera (sp, which shows how much I know). What they do not realize is that Americans do not dress like that in public and if they do, the wardrobe is not a $1 but hundred dollars. Everyone thought my silver boots were over the top....you have no idea!

As I sit and wonder where everyone rushes to and from, I see a world going by with energy and enthusiams. I smile and enjoy the fact that I have no train to catch, just time to enjoy the moment.

I have learned that having your means of financial support being stolen is not so bad when a nice, smiling and attractive police officer takes the report.

Lastly if you walk 78975 steps or 72.46 kilometers in 4 days, your feet will hurt!

Life is good in Budapest!