Polish Refugees in Hungary 1939-1944: Budapest History Museum

The exhibition in the Budapest History Museum called “Friends in Misery – Polish Refugees in Hungary 1939-1944” is soon about to end. The last date for the exhibition is October 22nd, so if you are interested, but have not had the time to see it yet, you better get going.

Some useful background information:
During the Second World War around 100-140 thousand Polish refugees were staying in Hungary. In the fall of 1939 ca. 70-90 thousand Polish soldiers and civilians entered the territory of Hungary. The majority left till the spring of 1940 but till the end of the war around 30 thousand soldiers and civilians stayed in Hungary as Poland did not surrender officially even after the defeat. The Polish government and the military headquarters was reorganized in France and several outstanding politicians and military leaders fled to France often through Hungary.

Train strike from midnight (October 18) – FINISHED

Train strike in Hungary
Train strike in Hungary

It has been a long time since we have been reporting about strikes in Budapest. There was a period in the end of 2008 and in the start of 2009 when there were continues strikes at the Ferihegy Airport, but since then things have improved a little. But now the train workers are unsatisfied (again), so from midnight (October 19, 00.00) most people will start striking which means that most trains will be standing still tomorrow morning and on for an unknown amount of time.

For train information check out the link, but I guess those planning to use train tomorrow should find out something else to do. This means that the train leaving from Ferihegy Airport to the inner city will be very insecure tomorrow, so why not choose an airport transfer instead?

Railway strike information update (October 19 – 9.53)
Its now 9.53 AM, October 19, and I read in some newspapers that there are heavy delays and big problems for those wanting to use the railway in Hungary. But, it is also said that more and more people is returning to their jobs, so it might be that things will smoothen out a bit more during the day.

Railway strike information update (October 19 – 13:43)
I just read that the strike is finished, and that all railway traffic should return to its normal way and schedules within some hours!

Hungary with bronze in U-20 World Championship

After loosing against Ghana Hungary got up again and played a very good bronze final against Costa Rica Friday. Most things worked, the only thing missing was the ability to shoot goals. So, when Costa Rica scored in the 82 minute or something it seemed quite hopeless!

But then Krisztian Nemeth managed to win a penalty in the 89th minute, and Vladimir Koman did not miss that great opportunity to make it 1-1. After this everyone expected it to be 2×15 extra time, but then suddenly they went straight for penalty kicks, and there Hungary did great, much thanks to Peter Gulacsi who saved 3 out of 4 penalties from Costa Rica players. And as he saved the 4th penalty the game was over and Hungary had won a bronze in the U-20 World Championship! Congratulations!

Yesterday the team returned to Hungary and loads of fans waited for them at the airport. Yet another time all we have to say is congratulations, and keep on playing this way!

Champions League in Budapest

Just some more Budapest Pictures

Yet another time I just brought my camera as I walked around in Budapest (of course working with tourists), and below you can see some of the Budapest pictures. None of them are extraordinary, but they will still give a little feeling of what Budapest is like for those who have never been around in the capital of Hungary before.

On the pictures you can see the Matthias Church, the Fishermens Bastion, the Hungarian Parliament (all nice Budapest attractions) and the Ferihegy Airport (not so much of an attraction, but probably more people visit the airport than any other Budapest attraction, so its kind of nice to add a picture of the airport as well).

Seven Budapest pictures