ChicagoDB

Chicago…the greatest city in the USA (sorry New York and L.A.)

I was born in the heart of it all, and have lived most of my life here…no matter where else I buy a place (Prague is next), I will always keep a home in Chicago :-)

Beaches, parks, skyscrapers, fantastic neighbors…world class! Make a stop in Chicago some day, especially during the best 8 months of weather, you will love it also :-)

We let everyone call it “The Second City” so we don’t get over-run ;-)

I spent a week in Budapest last Spring…a truly beautiful city…and sadly a great disappointment in so many ways!

The Architecture, the Danube, the caves and so many beautiful places are greatly overwhelmed in my opinion by some serious problems…and 2 must be spotlighted:

Crime…the crime situation, essentially targeted at tourists is rampant, and completely overlooked and ignored by the police. About 50% of the tourists I know, that have been to Budapest have either been victims, or had friends with them become victims. The police know all the rings and scams…and do nothing about it, though so easy to stop…Hungary will lose so much tourism when this becomes widely known that the police may be forced to someday act. Everything from cell phone theft and pick-pockets, to mafia groups running restaurants and clubs, which scam on prices. Also beware of “tinning” a common practice in which they cause your ATM cards to be stuck in machines…and then steal them (often after recording your PIN #). They will be used within minutes…so you can count on problems.

FORMEN: Avoid all the pairs of decent looking girls you see…they are all working for the crime rings…and you are inviting crime of different sorts…and even a possible late night beating!!

Nightlife…there are nice restaurants and cafes and such…BUT…for all our attempts (I stayed at a great Hostel, steps from the River and Vaci Utca)…and despite the great weather, and our many, many efforts to find it…there was no real Nightlife! Unless you consider sitting at a cafe until closing nighlife?? We bought booze and made our own party almost every night (so Budapest didn’t provide the action).

It may be the most boring capital I’ve ever been to, in terms of nightlife.

Furthermore…

Prices…the prices are not great…they were ok by Western standards…but far better deals exist in Prague (a much more enjoyable and equally beautiful city). Budapest is not a bargain destination!

I see why it is a new capital of the porn industry…walk thru a crowded shopping mall or street during the day, and girls with their families and boyfriends, are dressed like street hookers… very sad!

Go for the architecture…go for the spas and caves…go for the Danube, Margit Island and the Chain Bridge…BUT guard your valuables and documents…don’t use ATM’s, don’t expect nightlife…and always make sure your menu has prices!

2-3 days tops…go to Lake Balaton instead…

BESTPLACE: Go up to the Citadella at night, before midnight, you will see all the city, at its most beautiful…maybe take some wine or beer with you…and your camera. The lights all go out after midnight…so go before that. Its ok in daytime but 1000% better at night.

I was lucky enough to have a (paid) 10 day consulting trip/interview to this beautiful town in Switzerland…not far from Zurich.

Lake Zug itself is a very beautiful Alpine Lake…and it is very nice for boating and quiet walks. The town of Zug itself is very nice…friendly, clean and very scenic. Zug is a fairly prosperous town, with great shopping, and wonderful restaurants, cafes and such. Not a big late night party town, I still managed to meet very nice Swiss who quickly shared all the popular and almost secret, nightspots…including the rare “after-after hours” places for the nightowls like myself (still on USA time).

As in most of Switzerland…it is not cheap…But it is a lovely town with great people and lovely scenery. I must go back some day…

Practically everyone spoke English!

FYI: Billionare American fugitive investor Mark Rich (pardoned by Clinton just before leaving office), lived in Zug while he was a fugitive from American prosecution…so as you can imagine…Zug must have some things to draw people.

The Park Hotel, Zug was excellent though very expensive…and the (quaint) Hotel Loewen was very good also…and a wonderful place to also dine.

For the adventurous…check out the Para-gliders which operate from Mount Zug (over the town).