Budapest - Day #3

By Jeff - June 27, 2009

Hello again from across the sea! It is Saturday night – a little after 10:00 & I have survived the jet-lag pretty well.

The day started at 8:30 this morning, setting up the room for the conference. I am working with 2 A-V techs from the hotel. They are professionals in every sense of the word. I must admit that I feel a tad stupid around them sometimes. Not because they make me feel stupid, but because they know SO much about everything electric that I have to sometimes sit back and figure out what they’re talking about (and then just nod and smile).

They are VERY nice though. When they heard that my luggage still hadn’t arrived @12:00 today, they volunteered to take me to the local mall to do some clothes shopping. Secretly, I think they were tired of looking at my shorts and Mayo Clinic shirt too (and it was getting a bit ripe!). Then – when we got to the mall, we went to look at a store that had some nice clothes (just needed a shirt and some khaki pants, please) – and while we were looking he turned to the clerk and said, “while you’re looking for his size in the back, we will look around and then come back to you.” He (his name is Zoltan, btw) proceeded to whisk me from the store – I thought he saw an old girlfriend or something – and then explained to me that the store was too expensive. “There is no reason to pay $150 for pants,” he said. I agreed. I did get clothes elsewhere and looked quite fashionable for today’s session. Its funny how many doctors are coming to me asking if my luggage came yet.

Anyway – after tonight’s session, which finished at 8:00, Ferenc and Zoltan were going to take me out for dinner and to see the town. I said that I had to go put on my 3 day old stinky clothes again – just in case I had to wear my “new” clothes again on Sunday.

When I got to my room I was greeted by none other than my LUGGAGE!!!! When I walked in it said, “hey, where have you been!!???” I was / am overjoyed to see my OWN clothes!

Other events of the day – I learned a new Hungarian word today. There was an orchestra at the Saturday evening “welcome” session. There was a soloist who entered the room carrying his instrument with him. He had a scarf wrapped around his head, gray vest and a shirt with real billowy sleeves. Ferenc (the other A-V tech) commented, and I could’ve sworn he said, “ooh, a faggot.” I though, THAT’S AWFULLY RUDE! I said, “what?” Again, he said, “a faggot.” Then he really confused me by saying, “beautiful.”

Little did I know that “faggot” is Hungarian for what we call a BASSOON!! And, yes, they are very beautiful.

One more thing – the Chain Bridge celebration is going on this weekend. Apparently the Chain Bridge is a very famous bridge here in Budapest (I haven’t Googled it yet) – and there are street shops and the like. I ate lunch from a corner food vendor today and it was just plain super (plus the lady spoke English, so that was helpful).

The only bummer so far (now that my luggage has arrived) is that I can’t find a Pepsi machine anywhere. I see people carrying Pepsi from time to time, but can’t find a vendor. So today (after 48 hrs with no caffeine) I had to buy a Coke (note to my wife – “yes, honey, it did kill me”).

Anyway – gotta run. Thanks to everyone for your kind comments and notes. This has been kind of fun. Hopefully we’ll get to do this again – by the way, Lisa – they are talking about Prague for next year – Woo Hoo!

Lastly – for all who have asked – I am doing A-V support for the International Vascular Symposium that is being sponsored by Mayo Clinic. We started today (Saturday) and run until Tuesday.

Thanks again! Bye for now.

JBD