It is still such a rarity to have positive retail and service experiences in Hungary, so when such an event does occur, it is notable enough to blog about it.

Having inherited a damaged tent from Richie and Tara, I spent some time researching tent pole repair kits, and even watched a helpful youtube video on the subject. I found a couple for sale in Hungary but so far outside of the center it would have cost me more in BKV tickets then the actual kit. I thought that if Mountex did not have one, no one would. Unfortunately, Mountex could not help me and Guru, my favorite camping shop on Zichy Jeno has closed its doors. So I tried a new place at Jokai u. 40 just near my flat and across from Nyugati. Nomad Sport's owner or manager was a very friendly and helpful guy and had several suggestions about making the repairs. In the end, although I was looking forward to trying the repairs myself, the price he offered was so reasonable that I took him up on his offer to repair it for me himself with bits and bobs he had at another shop. While not pretty, it is serviceable and parts and labor for 2 repaired tent poles came to only 1400 huf - about half the price of just the extra elastic cord in another shop. And it was done in less than a week.

A couple weeks ago, either Bruce Willis, ELMU or a lightning strike took out my boiler. After 1.5 weeks without hot water and several visits by repairmen, I called the Belvarosi Gazkeszulek es Szerviz. Unlike previous experiences with repairmen, these guys came the next morning. Also unusual, and to my delight, was the fact that they gave me a 2-hour window rather than an entire day I had to take off from work, AND they called me 30 minutes before they arrived so I could still get some work in and make it back in time. They had to come 3 times find and fix the problem, but that was the boiler's fault. Of course it worked perfectly when they arrived...so I finally joined the 21st century and filmed the problem on my phone. Then we were on track. 1074 Bp, Dohany u. 28. 343-1003, 06304846871. They also suggested I install a surge protector for the entire electric network (halozati tulfeszultseg vedo). An electrician just installed this for me for about 25000 huf. It was too late to protect my modem that got fried 2 days after the boiler, but it is at least there now. Considering the replacement of the boiler innards cost 80000 huf and another 10000 for the modem, I consider it a good investment. A call-out costs 3000 huf, 1000-2000 cheaper than average.

I am still having back problems after over a year. My friend Richard suggested that I get a wrap around back support neoprene pad at a shop around the corner. Viktorsport (a hole in the wall place at Nagymezo u. 12), has been open since 1991, and run by a very friendly old couple.I got a good deal on the back support and little Alex got a good deal on a ball. The place seems to specialise in martial arts equipment, but also stocks supplies for other sports.