The Loner #4
Budapest, Hungary
2011

A walker on a sidewalk leading from the castle in Buda down into an adjacent residential area.

The Loner #3
Budapest, Hungary
2011

When I first saw this guy, he was standing under a tree in the deep shadows. He stood still for so long that I thought he was a statue. Just as I was starting to walk over and take a look at the “statue,” he shuffled off down the street.

The Loner #2
Budapest, Hungary
2011

A lone pedestrian on the Erzsébet híd (Elizabeth bridge) across the Danube. The bridge is a bit of a loner in itself–a very modern design in a decidedly Baroque neighborhood.

The Loner #1
Budapest, Hungary
2011

In reviewing my photos of people from Budapest, I was struck by how many shots show people who are or seem to be quite alone. Often the individuals are truly physically isolated from other people, but I’m equally struck by the images showing people in close proximity of others (sometimes quite close) yet convey the old idea of being alone in a crowd. Over the next few days I’ll most some more photos relating to this theme.

Cafe Alibi
Budapest, Hungary
2011

Because everyone needs a good one now and then.

To Each His Own
Budapest, Hungary
2011

I guess I should say “to each his or her own.” Anyway, these are four passengers waiting for the next tram in our neighborhood in Budapest. The trams, buses, trolley buses and subways that comprise the public transportation system in Budapest have the most extensive coverage of the area than any place I’ve been before and it seemed like you never have to wait more than a couple of minutes for the next one at any stop. One had just left this stop at the time I took the photo, which is why there were so few people waiting for the next one. No more public transportation for us though as we are on our way back home to Bozeman, where the token public transportation system (a few buses) is very, very sparse, although the rides are free, for now anyway.

The Enlightenment
Szentendre, Hungary
2011

A glass of beer brightening up some dinner conversation.

Quiet Time
Budapest, Hungary
2011

After being in this big noisy city for two and a half weeks, I was in need of a more tranquil experience and found it by taking a stroll in the 100+ acre Kerepesi cemetery. It is right in the middle of central Budapest but it’s size and the tall brick wall surrounding it kept out most of the outside noise. It was a very peaceful walk, at least until the military funeral started up at one end, but even that was nice as the band was playing soothing music that carried out across the grounds.

Neo-Noir
Budapest, Hungary
2011

In writing yesterday’s post I mentioned gothic horror films, which lead me to doing a little reading about them on the internet where I found the photo below from the 1920’s horror film Nosferatu. That photo reminded me of the photo above that I took of Zippy going down the stairs of our apartment building the other night.

But I don’t associate Budapest with gothic horror films as much as I do those of the film noir genre. It is dark here–a lot. And I think Budapest has a love affair with sparsely placed low-wattage light bulbs. While there are occasional well lit spots, even the busiest of streets are very dark by American standards and the side streets even darker, as are many public spaces in building interiors and courtyards.

Our building (the stray graffiti in the photo not withstanding) is a fairly typical mid-quality apartment building, but after dark looks like the perfect setting for some cold-war spy drama. In fact I suppose it could have been just that given the history of the city. It’s a good thing the crime rate here is very low or being out amongst the shadows at night would make me very nervous. As it is, I just enjoy going out and pretending the city is one big neo-noir film set.

Viola and Violino
Budapest, Hungary
2011

Some well-worn music parts waiting in the wings of Matthias Church for their next performance. Classical concerts in the local churches are quite popular here. One evening we stopped to take a look at St. Anne’s Church in  Batthyány Square. The church was closed and very dark inside except for some lights up by the alter that we could see peering in the windows in the entrance alcove. Just as we were looking in, this deep, thunderous, minor-tone organ music rang out from the organ loft directly above us. It was either their intruder alert going off or some organist practicing for a performance. In either case it was very impressive, not unlike an ominous prelude to an early gothic horror movie.