Day 19
Location 4: Budapest
Nov. 19, 2022
I've mentioned in previous blogs that one of of my side quests is to play basketball in as many cities as possible.
In Budapest, I had hit a dry spell. To remedy that problem, I sought out a full court at Olimpia Park. I got to shoot around with some kids. Unlike previous cities, it was pretty casual and I forgot to take any photos or videos. So instead, I'll share this basketball-related story:
In 2003, I started playing basketball for a team one town over in Glen Cove. The coach was this huge dude named Manny, and I was a scrawny white kid with long, messy hair. For two people that couldn't have looked any more different, we also couldn't have gotten along any better. The competition we played was great, and it accelerated my development as a basketball player. In one particular game...
...the gym was packed with people. Like wall to wall filled. No open seats. My dad was sitting in the crowd next to a woman who asked him "which kid is yours?". It is relevant at this moment to point out that not only was I the only white kid on the team, but also my dad and I were the only two white people in the entire building. The woman's question floated in the air, like a perfect lob pass to a cutting forward "which kid is yours?". And my dad, with all-star level quickness and athleticism, leaped up towards the rim, grabbed the question mid-air with both hands, and slammed it in, completing the alley-oop with his answer: "the one with the long hair".
The day started with someone in the hostel getting a haircut with regular office scissors from someone with no cosmetic experience:
The day ended with a party boat that took us to the most beautiful view of Budapest's main castle. Next, we stepped off the party boat and onto a party bus that took us to a club. In the video below you can see (1) the view from the boat, (2) some skateboarders, and (3) a restaurant that–without explanation–had a still from The Hangover hanging on their wall.
Lastly, I don't know who this guy is but I woke up with a photo of him on my phone. So buddy, if you're out there, here's uh, a photo of you.
