The grand season finale

Summing up a year had never been an easy job, but now that I'm trying to do it for 2011, it looks harder than ever. Oh, why is that? Wasn't it good?

A bit busy I'd say.

The Fukushima disaster was quite a phenomenal way to start off the year, and it was followed with the uprising of the Arabic world, murdering some evil leaders like Gaddafi and bin Laden,.. and so on. Turkey's relationship with Israel deteriorated to an unseen level, while pressure (at least according to our media...) growed on Iran.

Who knows what's next? You can't guess the path of pure coincidence, but during the year I had a feeling like "something big is about to happen". Funny coincidence again, this all world's end bullshit just looks like is about to become true.

Sure kids, 'God just has a good sense of humour'- as my father would say.

What else...

New RHCP, Jane's Addiction, Radiohead- like in heaven, although Coldplay is the bad guy who ruins the picture with the new disco-literally-shit album they created.

Who cares? Turkey, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran and also Madrid and Burgas gave unforgettable memories (thank you couchsurfing), and falling in love with a pocket-sized Spanish patata just ensured my year cant get worse- no matter what.

Guess what, it really didn't get worse!

A strange but truly valuable internship at Hungary's biggest tabloid, skipping more lessons at the uni than ever, and finally, wrapping up the year, meeting a lovely erasmus group in Eger.

No complaints at all. I want 2012 twice as good as the previous one was... And eventhough this blog (the english one) is pretty young, thanks for those who followed!

I should end this by a new years resolution, but... last year I didn't make any for the first time in my life. And shortly 2011 became the best year I ever had. No resolution.

The city of party and poverty

Before avoiding not to write about my trip to Madrid for one month, I take the advantage that I have some time to do so. It wont be long since not much happened and it wasnt mostly about sightseeing. So pictures and text in a proportionate amount.

There is not much to say about the capital's landscape, probably because it should rather be a moonscape. Deserted and dull mountains represent the dryest part of Spain, where water scarcity is quite a problem.

After landing we take the airport metro where I have enough time to wonder how is it possible that in 25 years Madrid built 12 metro lines. "One of the biggest metro lines on the world" says the proud sign everywhere, and I wonder how can we stucked in with building the 4th metro line in Budapest for more than 5 years.

After the underground city, finally we see something from the real one. Fancy streets, classicist buildings everywhere, and a lot of people- everywhere. Even if Madrid doesnt have much attractions, the atmosphere created by the people makes it outstanding. Go out any night in the inner city, and every ally you ll find three pubs full with people.

Honestly, if there werent so much homeless people in the streets, I would be surprised that the crisis affects the country. But there are a lot of beggars, more than in any other citiesI've been to, and this makes the picture more nuanced. Elia says 'we re so good at faking things, pretending we dont suffer, we have money, and we can afford anything, but the truth is we cant'.

Truth be told, besides the vagrants most people look really rich- like a city full with only high-class citizens.

There are a few things that make Madrid much more liberal and open-minded than a lot of other cities, including my capital. The Chueca is the famous gay district of the city, and seriously, if you're coming from a conservative country, its gonna shock you a bit, and the view of gay couples on the streets are also much more frequent. Also, what was surprising for me (probably cause its quite an issue here) the fact that hookers are working in the heart of the city.

Madrid is expensive, way more than Budapest, almost four times than Trabzon, and I really dont want to make the comparison with Iran. But since the lack of money, we mostly stayed in the city, maybe next time we ll visit other towns also.

I have to say that Madrid, be it dry and expensive, the atmosphere created by the people makes it unforgettable. What expalins more, just as the second I came back, I was already looking for tickets to Madrid...