The local bookstore with a Global Conscience

Fiction, non-fiction, environment, poetry, history, mystery, biography, travel guides, children, young adult... and much, much more!

Wide selection of quality second-hand English paperbacks at reasonable prices. The most "dangerous" street in Budapest: good books and gourmet food

Dutch New Years

I had the pleasure of escorting my neighbor from Szakacsi Thursday night to the New Years party at the Dutch Ambassador's residence. I bought a suit a year ago, but this was the first time I had worn it. This, after several years of borrowing from friends when the need arose. After a lot of freaking out, I realised that none of my ties matched the shirt I had ironed, so I did what Elisabeth called a "Prince Klaus" and went tie-less. With free wine flowing and good food and an amazing view over Budapest, one cannot easily go wrong. I wish I could remember the name of the vineyard, but I had several nice glasses of Pinot Noir, a grape I don't normally care for. Finger-food for vegetarians was hard to come by, but I did manage to snag some nice spring rolls and small mushroom pastries among the abundance of fish dishes. I met a few new people hob-nobbing, like a couple that runs a Dutch cafe in Eger, and the director of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Hungary. The ambassador and his wife also seemed nice, even though we only chatted for a second. But for me the highlight of the night was when I was out on the balcony admiring the amazing view over Budapest and my friend Gabi's 3-year old daughter Nilda called me up to say she likes me and I should come over  to visit again anytime.