I wonder how you say 'Fat Cat' in Russian...

Csáó, MSZP!

Hungarians bid adieu to the Socialists, who essentially drove the country into the ground over the last eight years. That said, no one knows yet how far into Middle Earth Hungary will be after the next eight years under Fidesz-Jobbik. Még lattjük!

New York Times Typo Control

I take great pride in my disgustingly-thorough understanding of Hungarian politics. I eat Hajdú-Bihari Napló articles for breakfast. And for the third time in three years, I caught yet another typo in a New York Times' article on Hungary. Considering the incidence rate of NYT articles about Hungary is quite low - perhaps three or four a year - this is kind of pathetic.

Dear Dan Bilefsky,

From one UPenn alum to another, get your act together. You have been here in Budapest covering the election for three days, and yet you still can't even spell the seven letter name of the winning party correctly? For heaven's sake, it is a Magyar-ized version of a Latin word, not a crazy Finno-Ugric agglutinative nightmare. I know the wine is good here, but try to hold off on happy hour until the second draft is completed.

Puszike,

Barbara C

Mi lesz?

It is 2 am, and the polls were supposed to close seven hours ago. The OVB (Orszagos Valasztasi Bizottsag) 'decided' to keep 'certain' polling stations 'open' past the closing time. However, it hasn't exactly been made clear which ones, nor has it been announced exactly why. Someone mumbled something about staying open for 'those voting outside of their normal polling places.' Something is rotten in the state of...

Lada

500 km, 9 hrs, and zero seatbelts later, I have driven the length of Hungary in a Soviet Lada.

Village Life

Though I am not sure I would qualify Hungary as part of 'the Balkans,' this short clip shows two Hungarian villages, one on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border, and one on the Romanian-Hungarian border. As Debrecen is located in the far northeastern corner of the country, these two villages are but a stone's throw away. Though the clothing has changed (they only where traditional costume for dance performances and festivals), the houses are all still standing and inhabitated. Cows still get driven down the roads, out in the morning, back in the evening. Horse and wagons are still used (see this post). Although I am happy to see so much culture preserved, it is a little frustrating to see such a blatant lack of development.

BALKAN HOTCH POTCH

Nyugdíjasok: Pensioners Waiting for the Doctor's Clinic to Open