Around the W O R L D May-Aug 2003
BudaPest
via
NEW YORK
To : email me <- click
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JOE in NY ( New Jersey Independence Sq ) --WTC site- in background
Well , the journey is over -- how quickly time runs
--I have been so busy at home , completely neglecting the UPDATES
-- I have about 3000 pictures to sort out and publish , some of the better ones here---SOON , I hope !! ??
Here , at home the weather is still cold , nearly as bad as in Buda and NY
-- So sorry gain for delay in updating this page --- will publish more details about my next endeaver , soon --- bye joho --- i had lot of Fun O/S meeting so many new people -- i am writing emails to lot of them - bye for now joho
AUG 14th : report 2 in Budapest
Took lots of pictures --also Videos
Made contact with 1 relative---trying to meet many more ---freely travelling on Metro-Buses --Eating lots of fruit and juices --nice tasting apples cost just over a dollar
per Kilo
Home flight bookings all confirmed --getting restless --await the Aug 29th arrival in ADELAIDE
checking out Local Property prices and also visited the Budapest Stock exchange ---a baby in size , even compared to Adelaide --5 Blue Chip stocks only
Conditions for average Hungarian not best --and not improving --- but my 10 000 dollar pension goes a long way , here
Bringing back electronic gadgets , for computer and dig cameras
go to Paris on the Buda Plazs for latest developement in Budapest
also go to :
Good ref site -STARTLAP
hope u are enjoying the reports ---will publish many pictures , when i get to Adel.
ps : dont forget to watch the fire works on aug 20th on the Gellert Web Cam
Gellert WEB CAM
will also be filming the big concert on the 19th
AUG 7th : 1st report from BUDAPEST
Well what a change --NY to Buda ___!
I arrived all on schedule from NY -- was met by my Good friend and Host ,Peter V at the Airport after a good flight from NY --1st flying trouble started on the descent to Zurich airport ---i developed quite a severe pain in my Left ear --after landing and on flight to Budapest the pain gradually eased after some pampering by hostesses on both flights
It was a nice feeling to return to my Place-of-Birth ... and to listen to people around me speaking my Native tongue
Life here is quieter and friendlier ---people are eager to help you --- the sign-post are NOT as comprehensive as in NY --but transport cost are LOT cheaper --I paid about $Au 35 for 1 month unlimited travel on metro bus trams hev -- if i had got my Hung. citizenship and aged over 65yrs --i would travel FREE
The coverage of transport is excellent
I am moving about easily , now
I visited my place of living for the 1st 6 yrs , in Fadrusz utca on Buda the side --took lots of pictures (100s of single shots on video camera--256M MM card --- will publish a lot AFTER i get back to Adelaide )--went into the actual flat where we lived 60 yrs ago
A big Music festival has just finished -- Big celebrations are planned for Aug 20 and of course the Grand Prix is here soon after --I still want to meet lot of relatives , visit a Health Bath and explore places that people recommend or I discover myself
£ast evening I met 2 fine Hungarian Young men --we were both taking photos : 1 click on New Friend
2 click on Photos to see joe-as well
New Friend
see also :
for Balaton Sailing
If You support this site , I have been promised a free Sail on the Balaton . They also plan to come to Australia
The weather Here is similar to NY ---in one word HOT and also Humid
I am starting to get Home-sick ---with 3 weeks to go , before I commence the Home journey (via Zurich and Singapore) I am getting restless , but still meeting many people and exploring places !
wish i could show you the many pictures i took -- SOON will organize and display a selection
Í close this report with WARM greetings from BUDAPEST ......joho ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ July 25 :
** LAST REPORT from NY ** --just completeing 2month stay
This week "Niagara" was my destination .... the rising mist ( looks like smoke ) generated by the Bigger Canadian Falls can be seen miles away --- on arrival about 9 pm we inspected both flood-lit Falls --then next morning : detailed visual land inspections before we enbarked on a boat which took as to the near base of the Falls --could not film here as spray was everywhere ( we were all privided with thin plastic rain-coats ). More photo sessions and exploration , a bit-of lunch and we had to set of home-ward to NY ( 7hr journey )--on this trip made 2 more Friends and exchanged emails
Last days :visited Empire State Building Day/Night -- Madison Sq Gardens Stadium --Staten Island Ferry ( runs close to Statue of Liberty )---organized Visa to Hungary and booked ALL window seats on all Planes ---My good host, Peter V ,has promised to pick me up at Budapest Airport ( thanks Peter !)on the 29th July ---and of course will be saying Farewell to NY and many friends , here ----- I am leaving with sadness -- but WE ALL MUST MOVE ON !!! --- i'am sure you agree
next report from Budapest --joho ++++++++++++++==================++++++++++++++
July 19 :
WASHINGTON !!
Had another exciting week -- visit to the Capital .. DC -- as they call it --
I was VERY IMPRESSED -- typically American ! --ALL on a GRAND scale !! -- the vast Gardens , Monuments ,Lawns & Gardens ,Majestic Buildings , Museums , Memorials etc -- I just could not absorb it all in 2x 1/2 days ( took a 2day escorted Bus tour) -- just needed more time ! AND time allocation the way I want it ( always a problem with escorted tours !-- the operators just can't please everybody --eg had only 3/4 hr at the Air-Space museum)--BUT was able to take lots of movie shots !
On the way Down we called in to Baltimore and Philadelphia -- 2 very nice Cities --looked at the Independenc Bell --- like everywhere else, the Security is intense ! ( like at Airports )
Other impressive things i noticed is the huge amount of vegitation -- nearly all freeways ( many 6 lanes in EACH direction !!!)are lined with dense trees and shrubs But there are just TOO MANY Cars --> traffic jams , hold ups , tolls ,are everywhere --would not want to drive a car in USA ( of course the RH drive makes it even worse !)
Travelled with a Chinese Bus Operator ( lot cheaper as others !)-- had lot of chinese food -$12 dinner $ 10 lunch -- not bad , with lots to eat On return to China Town ,NY -- I walked past the WTC site down to Battery Park ( very nice Sea views !( a Concert had just finished !)-- rode the Staten Island Ferry ( free ), together with hundreds of other tourists etc , there and back ( 1hr) past the Statue of Liberty --( on the ferry I met some Christian people - one member took a picture of me and proceeded to PUBLISH it on the Web , there and then --via Mobile-phone link to I/Net) --- got back to the bottom of Manhatten - caught the subway to Times Sq- walked on 42nd street to the PA bus terminal and Home to Jersey city -- got back after midnight --- on the subway was able to help a fellow tourist to reach their destination ( they were nervously ,heading the wrong direction ! )
On the other hand , with a map I can ,now , move-about quite easily , including switching lines !-- although , when i have the time , I still prefer to WALK -- so much more to see ! Next i am going to the Niagara Falls --the american side ,only ! -- SARS still a problem !? , in Toronto
Then on 28th , I sadly LEAVE NY , to go back in the City of my Birth , BUDAPEST , on the 29th --and a month later to be abck in Aussie Land
Hope u r enjoying the reports ....bye joho
************************ *********************** JULY 12th :
RUNNING OUT OF TIME --- !!?
just realized how much more i have to DO and SEE before i leave on 28th
--had a busy week at the ZOO , BOTANICAL Gdns , met the local people at BRONX -- they ( mostly colored )welcomed me into their chess group --real friendly, relaxed --had a good time ,stayed late ,before catching No2 Subway and Bus back to Jersey city ( about 1.5 hrs )-Fri at the Metro Museum -2nd trip - hired Audio device ($6/day) a MUST have --really good background / description of Paintings ,many exhibits --spent 8hrs there --may have to go back again !? ---Planning trip to Washington and Niagara Falls --gradually crossing items OFF my long list --wheather Hot and humid ( 2day cool change )--mostly hot in NY JULY-AUG --spent many hrs in Central Park --Watching cyclists joggers --spoke to many of them --ALL friendly !!--- Had first observation of minor Vilonce from the Bus ,on way home , last night 10pm -- young 15 yr olds with knives -- Police quickly on scene
NB : having trouble with "hortj@iname.com" email --- very slow !!please send email to joho11@yahoo.com End July 12th report
==================== ================== JULY 6th : NY Hotting up
Day and NIGHT temperatures and Humidity ,quite High --exploration restricted to Beaches ( visited 3) as insufficient Night rest makes next days extended walking difficult
July 4th celebrations wnet with Big Bang fire works --and Fire crackers being thrown at random ( unlike in Aust. where private use of fire works now banned)
The extent of the Sth American population is very high --yet there seems quite good harmony -- I saw a Dog with a Cat sitting on its back AND 2 Mice sitting on the Cat's Neck ( Yes clinging onto the Cats neck !)--wandering the street in Times Sq --we were all amazed ! --then suddenly a Colored Person said " They get on well ..why can't we ,too ?" AND offered his hand to me --- I accepted the hand shake with Pleasure ! -- a nice little incidence ..do you agree ? ========================== =========================== July 2 nd : 3Day forced REST
Recovering well after a Virus infection ..and hence forced rest
Last sunday went 1st Ferry ride and "W" train to Beach (Coney island )..crowded but nice ..sand rather brownish, with water cold
Before that My 1st taste of the METROPOLITAN Museum -- and a quick view of MANET's Capabilities ---well i was VERY IMPRESSED WHAT_A_ M A S T E R he is !!....going BACK many times more --- I am not surprised that some people spend their entire NY time at the METRO !! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ June 24 th : BIG DAY
Visited Down town Manhatten : Washington Sq -via Broadway st to World Trade Centre - Wall street ( all locked up - terrorist attack fear - NO access to NY stock exchange ,Statue of Liberty ..at least one canNOT climb to the top --Nasdaq exchange etc )--- saw Tall ships and marine park -- walked Brooklyn bridge there AND Back --then to West side west street -- Hudson Foreshore Nicely done --walked all the way to 42nd St and home to Jersey city via Bus ---oh also playes 1 game 5 min chess in 42nd st ... was hot day ..drank a lot !!
June 23--- Arrived in Jersey City.... settling in ..met another Hungarian friend we are working on his home page .... he is selling goods on Ebay ...will report again ..soon
WEEK 3 -JOE in NY ---Concluding : Jun 17th 2003
Manhattan orientation-( finding my way around )--ALL under control !!--Visited CENTRAL Park,TIMES Sq ,Played Blindfold CHESS in 42nd street ,--soon shifting to New Jersey ( closer to ,where the ACTION is !) --Saw BROADWAY UNDER TEH STARS Concert --NY is ALIVE !!--Meeting many people --all races --ALL Friendly !!--Professional people make big Bucks , here $100k+ is common-- also little people are rich ,too --one emigrant Italien -came here 1952 -now owns 4 properties worth over $ 3.5 million --i will report again ,SOON .. Bye joho ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WEEK 2 concluding !!!!
"I LOVE NY " .....
I am starting to " FEEL" my way around
June 9th : ALL Day in Manhattan --1st on my own exploring ...( up to now --have been escorted )
42nd St - Broadway - Times Square appears to be the " heart" of the City -- it is ALIVE and BUZZING !!
Saw Hillary CLINTON at Book signing
Traffic Jams ,Police sirens , Noise every where ...but NICE !
the People : security guards , Street vendors , Pedestrians etc ALL Friendly !
...Discovering the HUDSON valley ( i live in OSSINGEN) : it is very LUSH , Green with dense trees and shrubs ..everywhere
Property values HIGH us$500 000 is about average
Next report soon ...having GOOD time Enjoying it ALL ...bye joho
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JUNE 2nd : 1st Week-end in USA
Here , as has been recently : WET
Explored National Parks ..on either side of Hudson River
Settling IN rapidly ! .. responding to many emails from Home
Invite you to join ICQ ..my No 3840812
I can quickly "talk" to you with webbased ICQ
I am Living at Ossining ( NY State )- on the Northern Rail Line
One-way fare $7 $4 for seniors ... will buy multiple ticket
The Library ( Ossining) has free Internet access and well equipped!
To my Investor friends : just listened to Bloomberg radio
..it gives continues Finance info ...analysis , tips etc
-----END report June 2nd ------------
JOE ON US Soil !!
Arrived May 28th !
(the same day ,I left Adelaide)
In STYLE !!
After hair raising Landing
JFK Airport
My Jumbo next to BA CONCORD
...Settling IN ... NO jetleg !
1st Impression : EXCITING City
But EXPENSIVE !..
Everybody appears to want to make a BUCK !
.......
more report ... SOON
