Along our walk, beside the beauty of Budapest we saw another side of Budapest. Not everything in Budapest is beautiful. Some of it is dark.

We can see people begging for help pretty well everywhere in the world, except those places where governments hide them from us. Those places don’t want us to see the truth. It is a sight you can see anywhere, even in the richest countries.  People who beg. I had some interesting questions with people about this on the ship. Some of my fellow cruisers, who, like me, basked in luxury eating incredibly good food, had little or  no sympathy that was apparent for people reduced to such poverty.  It was their view that there is plenty of work around. Those who want to, can work. Begging is not necessary. The beggars have a choice and choose to beg rather than work. This money added a religious element. She appeared to be begging god to help her  or influence one of us to help her.

 

My view is a little different. I don’t think anyone, or at least almost none, would choose to beg. For most people it is humiliating to beg and will only do so under extreme circumstances . Most people in our society get self-esteem from working. They don’t want to beg but have no good other choices.

Besides that, I have no idea why anyone was begging. Perhaps some did it because they could make more money that way than working. I just did not think many people are like that. Who knows what ill health or bad luck had reduced this woman to lying down in the middle of a busy street with her hands stretched out in prayer with a small cup asking for help? I chose to help. I don’t say that makes me any better than anyone else. It just made me feel better. I chose to believe she needed help and I could help.

Even near a Burger King people can need help to get food.

 

This was my sister-in-law and walking companion who like me wanted to see a bit of the city on our own.

A collage of Budapest posters

 

Revellers masks. I have seen so many of these in thriller movies such masks give me a bit of a chill.

 

“I love me”, it says.

 

You tell me what this means

 

Bad Boys go to Budapest

 

Good and bad, Budapest was great to see and learn from. I would love to back for a longer stay.