Have to put off build for a while

[Gary T]

Got a call last Friday evening and was asked if I wanted an all expense paid trip to Budapest, Hungary. All I have to do is look after a senior hockey team for a week, have dinner at the Canadian ambassadors residence, and get a tour of Budapest from the Hungarian National Hockey team. It took me about 3 or 4 seconds to catch my breath and then said yes yes yes.
I guess that money I was saving for plywood is going to get put to a different use.
From what I have read in other threads Ira seems to be the beer specialist. Ira, any suggestions on a good Hungarian beer.
If anybody is intersted I will post some pics of my trip. If not, to bad I'm going to do it anyway.
I will keep an eye out for any Hungarian tears. Anybody in this forum from anywhere close?

Wish me luck

[asianflava]

Good for you, it's a lifetime opportunity you HAVE to take. The fact that it is paid for someone else makes it even better.

I'd say go ahead an post your pics here. I don't think anyone would mind.

One question though, senior hockey team, is that high school senoirs or a bunch of old guys?

[Chris C]

GREAT!!! Go and have a good time. Just be sure you show us da pics!

[Gary T]

Its a senior mens team. Guys range in age from mid 20's to mid 30's.
Most of the players have played at the pro level at one time or another.
On this trip we play the National/Olympic teams from Hungary, Slovina, and Croatia. These teams would be on par with most NHL teams.
So this is the real deal. And the final game against Hungary will be televised on National TV.
I have never been to Europe so this is going to be a blast.

[Steve_Cox]

From what I have read in other threads Ira seems to be the beer specialist. Ira, any suggestions on a good Hungarian beer.
If anybody is intersted I will post some pics of my trip. If not, to bad I'm going to do it anyway.
I will keep an eye out for any Hungarian tears. Anybody in this forum from anywhere close?

Wish me luck

Gary, Good Luck

Maybe we will see you on ESPN. Sounds pretty exciting! Looking forward to the pics.

I met a guy from Budapest just the other day at an Irish pup in St Augustine, he is sailing around the world on a 26 foot sailboat. He was talking about home and the beer there, how about that... not suprising since we were drinking beer. One thing he said was you don't want to clink beer glasses – After the failed Hungarian revolution in the mid 1800's Austrians adopted the beer glass clinking salute when the Hungarian Generals were executed. Guess nothing pisses them off more than that. He also said that they have a lot of micro brewerys and they usually have the best beers. Only other thing I can remember is that some of the more "tourist" type places will put a 100% tourist surcharge on your pub tab so be sure to ask the price up front. He was worried that the pub we were in was going to do that too.

Steve

[madjack]

for sure...that sounds like a dream trip...have lottsa fun and hoist a few for the rest of us and by all means...post da pics...we luv 'em ya know
madjack

[bledsoe3]

I used to play on a seniors team (30+). We would have had no chance against them. Or any other team. We were just old guys trying not to get hurt.

[mikeschn]

Hey Gary T.

That sounds like fun. Enjoy yourself, and remember dem pics.

Regarding the beer, if it's anything like Germany you'll probably end up drinking a good Pilsner. But ask while you are there. They'll recommend all the best ones.

Mike...

[Ira]

WOW! HAVE A BALL, GARY!

Can't tell you much about Hungarian beer, but I DO know that contrary to what some people may presume, the women are gorgeous there.

Now, WOMEN..THAT I'm an expert on.

I've been rejected by enough of them to know what I'm talking about.

[Loader]

Have a great time Gary! Here's a little info on the beers:

"Sadly, Hungarian beers have not really been able to break out of the domestic market. This is not surprising given that its near neighbour is the Czech Republic, a country famed for its brewing prowess and superb beers.

This is a shame as Hungarian beers are largely good quality. There are two types, vilagos (lager) and barna (brown) which although similar in colour to an English bitter, have a much sweeter taste.

The most famous known Hungarian brewery - Dreher - is based in Budapest. Producing both vilagos and barna beers, the best are sold under their own label (világos, Pils and Bak barna) although Kőbányi világos is also very pleasant.

Dreher's main rival is the Borsodi Brewery which also produces both világos and barna beers. Other regional breweries have a more localised following, although most Budapest supermarkets will carry a decent selection in 1 litre bottles. A small deposit is paid on each bottle (to encourage recycling) so remember to return empties to the shop as this will be repaid."

I've tried tried either, so you'll have to let us know how they are.

From: http://www.talkingcities.co.uk/budapest ... k_wine.htm

[Rob]

Gary--

Sounds like a one in a lifetime opportunity! Need someone to carry your luggage? I only charge transportation, room, board. Have a good time.

Rob

[The Teardrop Nanny]

What an experience-once in a lifetime-of course we want pictures

Also, when did guys in the 20's-30's become "seniors"??
Golly.....does that mean the guys my age range are now fossils?

Have a fabulous time and may the teams be well matched for fair play

TDN

[BILLYL]

Gary-

Having recently gone to Hungary to visit my relatives - you will find the beers to be lacking (they generally drink German imports). However the wines are to die for. Whenever I travel I always try and drink locally - that is what do the people of the city, town, village drink. On this past trip - the drink of choice was PALINKA. A high octane - sometime homebrewed - fruit brandy - traditionally made with either Plum or Apricot. A wonderful drink and very nice.

Don't forget to enjoy some Hungarian Coffee and make sure you have many wonderful meals of the local foods.

You will find Budpest to be a beautiful city and really is the jewel of Europe.

Have fun

Bill

[bledsoe3]

Also, when did guys in the 20's-30's become "seniors"??
TDN

That's just what we felt like after playing.

[Gary T]

Thanks everyone for all your encouragement.

I will try to sample most of the local brews and some of the regional wines while I'm there. Which leads me into the next question.
Anybody have any idea how much things are going to cost?
I was wondering if I need to take out a 1 year or 5 year morgage on my teardrop fund...
Simple things, coffee, beer, wine, burgers/goulash. Most things will be taken care of but I'm sure after hours stuff won't be included
I PM'ed BillyL as he was there recently but any and all info is greatly appreciated

I still marvel at all the knowledge on this site.

Thanks everyone