Absolutely Anything Else

Just arrived home to Hungary after an action packed, shocking, confusing busy one week stay in Las Vegas;

I do not plan on going anywhere for a long time after that long haul;

I feel like I was tossed into a meat grinder.

My husband chose to send me alone which was a bit too much for me;

Had a great time actually driving a car again, got a new Hyundi Venue .

Had all the modern features which I was not used to. Keyless start etc.

Zippy little thing easy to drive.

My family humbled me so much with all the extra love and care they gave me;

My SIL flew all the way from SC to Vegas, boarded her 5 animals at the cost of over $500. for 4 nights;

Her son and his GF had a medical appointment in Vegas which was fell inline with helping me move things into a new storage unit.

My SIL paid for her own room  and a room for 2 nights for her son and his GF.

My niece and great niece flew in from San Fran for 2 nights and stayed with me.

My Vegas friend and her husband helped me more then I can ever repay.

Helped in ways only a trusted friend would.

My cousin Frank, going on 80 was able to take me for a meal and we had a nice chat.

I was overwhelmed by how everyone dropped everything to assist me with some personal matters.

I never knew how much I mattered to people, what a blessing to find out!

Vegas has changed in the past 8 years, people seemed very kind but things looked like they have gotten a bit run down.

Loads of homeless people and people riding on E scooters down long stretches of Hwy.

Looks a bit more 3rd world then I remembered.

Prices were sky high, unreal coming from Hungary and seeing all the extra fees here and there.

I realized I must come into the 21st; century because not having an active credit card now days is not going to work, went and applied for one straight away.

Got approved in 2 mins but without it in hand I ran into allot of difficulties.

Debt and cash no longer work in the US and probably not anywhere.

Resort fees, hidden fees, wow.

Went to the Arte Museum with my nieces, paid $25. parking for just a couple of hours!

Well, I do hope in the end it will be worth it and will will break even in about a year with me changing storage units. Went from paying $318. a month to just  $63. in the same facility and just the next row over from where I was before!

Insane that they could not reduce the rent over the internet for me.

Loads of zombies walking around, druggies just walking into traffic.

Went downtown with my SIL, her son and his GF. At a traffic light a young women was aimless and walking back and forth in traffic, sores all over her mouth legs all wobbly just lost.

It was a bit heartbreaking but I made sure the car doors were locked just the same.

Desperate people walking in the parking lot of my hotel. I never went out at night to stay safe.

It was so lovely to have everyone around, felt very lonely and sad when they had to go home.

My friends little condo in Vegas is an oasis in the desert; They really fixed it up perfect for their needs. Very cute; She had not left her condo since early Dec; put came to my hotel room the last night I was there to say good bye and help me sort some airline matters. Her husband won $100. while he played as we visited in my room. He deserved every penny of it for how much they helped me.

My niece has a place for me if I ever need one, just so heartwarming to know how much they have planned their futures around me.

No idea how or why I deserve so much love and care but it felt it;

It was worth the jet lag to know how loved I am.

Well time to pass out again, need days to rest up before I get back to myself.

Just arrived home to Hungary after an action packed, shocking, confusing busy one week stay in Las Vegas;I do not plan on going anywhere for a long time after that long haul;I feel like I was tossed into a meat grinder.My husband chose to send me alone which was a bit too much for me;Had a great time actually driving a car again, got a new Hyundi Venue .Had all the modern features which I was not used to. Keyless start etc.Zippy little thing easy to drive.My family humbled me so much with all the extra love and care they gave me;My SIL flew all the way from SC to Vegas, boarded her 5 animals at the cost of over $500. for 4 nights;Her son and his GF had a medical appointment in Vegas which was fell inline with helping me move things into a new storage unit.My SIL paid for her own room and a room for 2 nights for her son and his GF.My niece and great niece flew in from San Fran for 2 nights and stayed with me.My Vegas friend and her husband helped me more then I can ever repay.Helped in ways only a trusted friend would.My cousin Frank, going on 80 was able to take me for a meal and we had a nice chat.I was overwhelmed by how everyone dropped everything to assist me with some personal matters.I never knew how much I mattered to people, what a blessing to find out!Vegas has changed in the past 8 years, people seemed very kind but things looked like they have gotten a bit run down.Loads of homeless people and people riding on E scooters down long stretches of Hwy.Looks a bit more 3rd world then I remembered.Prices were sky high, unreal coming from Hungary and seeing all the extra fees here and there.I realized I must come into the 21st; century because not having an active credit card now days is not going to work, went and applied for one straight away.Got approved in 2 mins but without it in hand I ran into allot of difficulties.Debt and cash no longer work in the US and probably not anywhere.Resort fees, hidden fees, wow.Went to the Arte Museum with my nieces, paid $25. parking for just a couple of hours!Well, I do hope in the end it will be worth it and will will break even in about a year with me changing storage units. Went from paying $318. a month to just $63. in the same facility and just the next row over from where I was before!Insane that they could not reduce the rent over the internet for me.Loads of zombies walking around, druggies just walking into traffic.Went downtown with my SIL, her son and his GF. At a traffic light a young women was aimless and walking back and forth in traffic, sores all over her mouth legs all wobbly just lost.It was a bit heartbreaking but I made sure the car doors were locked just the same.Desperate people walking in the parking lot of my hotel. I never went out at night to stay safe.It was so lovely to have everyone around, felt very lonely and sad when they had to go home.My friends little condo in Vegas is an oasis in the desert; They really fixed it up perfect for their needs. Very cute; She had not left her condo since early Dec; put came to my hotel room the last night I was there to say good bye and help me sort some airline matters. Her husband won $100. while he played as we visited in my room. He deserved every penny of it for how much they helped me.My niece has a place for me if I ever need one, just so heartwarming to know how much they have planned their futures around me.No idea how or why I deserve so much love and care but it felt it;It was worth the jet lag to know how loved I am.Well time to pass out again, need days to rest up before I get back to myself. - @Marilyn Tassy

Welcome back.   And it's a holiday weekend.   Thankfully, it's 4 days where everyone is off work and not likely to hassle people.     And it's sunny outside. Cherry trees are in bloom.  Still a bit of chill in the air and for some reason, it's windy.

It sounds like you got solid help while over the pond.  It's good to know people can step up when they can.

Did you get a seniors discount at the Arte Museum?  I keep forgetting to ask but luckily I was reminded at one place by the staff.  Good thinking by their end. 

Inexplicable they wouldn't let you have the same storage unit for the same, cheaper money. I guess new contract vs renewal, some silly rules like that.   If it's a chain store kind of arrangement, they won't have any flexibility. 

We keep all our stuff in Mrs F's grandad's place which is a dumping ground for everyone in that side of the family - we really need to clear it all out.  Now we've got the MIL's place as well. I reckon we could clear it all out of Grandad's to the MIL's.  We think we had an attempted burglary there - windows were open but there was furniture jammed up so they couldn't open it fully.  Not that there's anything there.     

I've spent 3 days fixing our diesel car. Well, not all hours, mainly a couple of hours each afternoon .  I finished up at 6pm last night.   I need to give it a once over and see if it's fit for a road test.  I am not an expert mechanic and I'm becoming a bit dodgy physically - bloody tremor means I should use my left hand more.  And I'm right handed so it's a bit unnatural.  If the car is still broken, it'll go to the mechanics as they have better expertise and diagnostics. 

@Marilyn Tassy

Interesting story.

Compliments from Turkiye

@Marilyn Tassy
Interesting story.
Compliments from Turkiye - @cdw057

Welcome back.

Nice to see you are still with us cdw057!

Hope all is well.

I do not plan on flying anywhere any time soon!

It took it out of me.

Jet lag both ways within a week.

I hate to report the US was too much for me;

Got so used to my safe bubble here in Hungary.

If my family and friends were not there for me, IDK what would of happened.

Nearly 72 and it seems to not take much to get my nerves going.

One problem after another, my SIL took control towards the end of moving into a new unit with her son,s help.

He packed everything up better then we could of done ourselves; They both just whipped in and got going while I was having a slight melt down.

So much junk that in the end my SIL hired a U haul truck and took things to the Goodwill and the matress which was still in great shape, to the dump;

They told me to go rest up while they carried on!

She paid for the truck , my niece was suppose to get me a car rental but they messed up and I got my own car, at a high rate!

It will now take over a year to break even;

My niece will repay me but I do not expect the full amount since I got scammed.

It was fun to drive however, had been 8 years since I drove.

I still have it!

Like riding a bike.

I was shocked about how shops, many of them had items locked up behind cases and you needed a store employee to get them for you. Even a cheap bottle of aspirins were locked up.

Shoplifters I suppose. The old 5 finger discount.

I only bought myself a lunch once, every meal was either comp from the hotel or bought by family.

I am till adding up the grand total, over $3,000 for a week and I stayed in an off strip hotel for locals.

No wonder Vegas is not popular right now. Hidden resort fees here and there.

It really was not enough time to do everything I had planned on doing.

Did my best, that is all one can do.

My niece has invited me to live in San Fran, she rents a large house in a nice community N  of San Fran where all the tech people live.

Tai-Chi classes in the park swimming pool, community center, bike and walking trails, my own room with bath in a beautiful house.

One day perhaps. Sweet of them to care about me in my old age.

Not sure what I ever did to deserve that treatment and all that love.

Blows my mind.

My great niece has turned out to be a very well rounded, smart, kind young lady.

Really going to be a classy women as she is already a classy 20 year old.

My niece did a great job raising her.

I had thought she might be spoiled but no , not at all.

She wants to work with animals or small children, I can see that for her.

Oh yes, the Arte Museum in Vegas does give a $10. senior discount but my niece ordered tickets online without telling me first.

$60. each on Saturdays plus the $25. for parking!

It was not worth,$205. to me.

Vegas price are out of this world anyways.

It was interesting but nothing to write home about.

@Marilyn Tassy

Even if I miss our old house in Hungary and even the lifestyle, though I do not intend to come back, over the past few years my mobility has decreased significantly. We now live in a duplex in Mahmutlar (duplex unfortunately), but everything is very close restaurants, hairdresser (once per two weeks for shaving, yes they do that overhere, and I go to the same hairdresser for over 4 years, now around EUR 8 (incl tip). So no holidays or trips whatsoever for me, my wife is much more active though. During day activities are eating, drinking, smoking, chess (through internet), strategy games,  YouTube, Forums, AI, taxes, news, .... so many things are interesting in the world.  Good that internet exists. But eg restaurants within 500 m radius there are loads of restaurants (14 or more, but we visit only 7 regularly), prices are higher than in Hungary now. If for whatever our residency permit is not extended, I plan to move to Bulgaria (Burgas). By the way, expat.com in Turkey is VERY inactive (even compared with Hungary), in Bulgaria it is the advised forum though. On expat.com I continue to use my old handle, you can check my posts on the Turkey forum. In the meantime I wish the members (I know to be active) a good life in Hungary (good for expats, but difficult to find apartments in for example Heviz with elevators (I hate megacities like Budapest), I like Heviz because we know quite some people, in villages, but also Keszthely.

@cdw057

I see you are looking at Bulgaria?

I lost my mobile phone; I left it on the train. I had only had it a month or so cos my phone was draining the battery in a matter of hours; it was a shitty old thing anyway. I did all the normal things, filled in the lost form etc... it even had my business card in it with my eCard (health insurance Card). After 10 days, I had given up on finding it, so I got a new one.

On Thursday, I got home to find my town council had written to me. They have my phone. Someone had obviously tracked my name down, so I'm guessing it was the police, because only they can do that or a lawyer.

Why not bloody email me? They could even have called the number, since all calls were being transferred to the wife's phone and the house phone.

Now I have 2 brand-new phones, so I might as well give the one I lost to the wife, since it's better than the one she has now.

.....and the missus doesn't want the phone. Keep it, she says as a spare in case you lose the new one.

Gawd, I love Austria. It was only a phone, but everything always seems to find its way back to me.

I've dropped my wallet twice in my town, both times they were handed in to the town hall with everything still in it, cash and cards, and my passport, which I had dropped, but someone picked it up and left a message on our town's Facebook page, and I had to collect it from their house.

I can honestly say, I doubt this would have happened in the UK!

I lost my mobile phone; I left it on the train. I had only had it a month or so cos my phone was draining the battery in a matter of hours; it was a shitty old thing anyway. I did all the normal things, filled in the lost form etc... it even had my business card in it with my eCard (health insurance Card). After 10 days, I had given up on finding it, so I got a new one. On Thursday, I got home to find my town council had written to me. They have my phone. Someone had obviously tracked my name down, so I'm guessing it was the police, because only they can do that or a lawyer.Why not bloody email me? They could even have called the number, since all calls were being transferred to the wife's phone and the house phone.Now I have 2 brand-new phones, so I might as well give the one I lost to the wife, since it's better than the one she has now......and the missus doesn't want the phone. Keep it, she says as a spare in case you lose the new one. Gawd, I love Austria. It was only a phone, but everything always seems to find its way back to me. I've dropped my wallet twice in my town, both times they were handed in to the town hall with everything still in it, cash and cards, and my passport, which I had dropped, but someone picked it up and left a message on our town's Facebook page, and I had to collect it from their house. I can honestly say, I doubt this would have happened in the UK! - @SimCityAT

Your phone, wallet and passport would have been on the way to some country for use by criminals within hours of someone finding it.   Getting the cash back as well would be a major surprise anywhere.  But then again, people have FA all money in their wallets these days what with electronic payments.  I think I've got about 10K HUF in mine - that's about £25 - mainly for an emergency taxi or sandwich.

I had to get a new phone a year or so back.  Stupidly I left my phone on an upside down bucket in the garden and I was fiddling with some bricks on a work bench.  One brick slid off and smashed my phone screen right in.  What a stupid kind of accident and my own fault!  Anyway, I bought a replacement screen on AliExpress, replaced the screen and while it was all horrible and distorted, I could see enough to make an online back up (it's a Samsung).  Then I got a new one really quickly and I was able to restore directly back to the new one.  And it worked perfectly with only a few things missing like missed calls.  Saved my bacon.   

So the lesson I learnt is to make sure it's all backed up.   Any loss of data is therefore minimal.  I now back my phone up at least once a month. It's dead easy and automated in the settings.

Guess the election is this weekend in Hungary?

Feeling a bit uneasy about allot of things.

My brother gets out in June but to what?

His son was caught driving my bros van in N. Nevada without a driving license!!

My bro,s van has been in a tow yard impound for weeks now!

Just found out myself last week;

My cousin called to locate his van, the guy is willing to hold onto the van till my bro gets out but it will cost;

At least, $4,000!

My God, one mess after another;

I find it all to be too much for my brain to take in at once!

It is a decent van worth some money and the one thing his wife has not so far put her greedy hands on.

I had no idea his son was so stupid and immature.

My bro was moved back to a terrible yard because they were suppose to give him soft foods where as the other facility he was in could not give him a special diet;Well, so far he is eating what everyone else is and getting ill from it.

He was giving some of his food that he could not eat to some strange cell mate called, Scrappy, my bro calls him Crappy because the guy is full of it!

Caught the guy stealing from other cellies; Looking for food or drugs?

So my bro was nice to this dude but is done with him;

My bro,s leg fell off, the sleeve he uses to hold the leg on got loose and his leg flew off and went across the room; The Crap guy just looked and did not offer any help at all;

Bro said any scrapes of food are going into the trash now, no more scrapes for Scrappy!

Wow, how darn low can it get?

Bro said everyone inside where he now is never worked a day in their lives, just did illegal things to get by.

He thinks he is going insane now, 2 months to go!

Guess the election is this weekend in Hungary?
Feeling a bit uneasy about allot of things.
My brother gets out in June but to what?
His son was caught driving my bros van in N. Nevada without a driving license!!
My bro,s van has been in a tow yard impound for weeks now!
Just found out myself last week;
My cousin called to locate his van, the guy is willing to hold onto the van till my bro gets out but it will cost;
At least, $4,000!
My God, one mess after another;
I find it all to be too much for my brain to take in at once!
It is a decent van worth some money and the one thing his wife has not so far put her greedy hands on.
I had no idea his son was so stupid and immature.
My bro was moved back to a terrible yard because they were suppose to give him soft foods where as the other facility he was in could not give him a special diet;Well, so far he is eating what everyone else is and getting ill from it.
He was giving some of his food that he could not eat to some strange cell mate called, Scrappy, my bro calls him Crappy because the guy is full of it!
Caught the guy stealing from other cellies; Looking for food or drugs?
So my bro was nice to this dude but is done with him;
My bro,s leg fell off, the sleeve he uses to hold the leg on got loose and his leg flew off and went across the room; The Crap guy just looked and did not offer any help at all;
Bro said any scrapes of food are going into the trash now, no more scrapes for Scrappy!
Wow, how darn low can it get?
Bro said everyone inside where he now is never worked a day in their lives, just did illegal things to get by.
He thinks he is going insane now, 2 months to go! - @Marilyn Tassy

Terrible story.  Why is it costing $4K to store the van?  If the son just didn't renew his license then surely that's a slap on the wrist for a minor offence?  And if someone else gets to it, the van can be out in a day and parked up outside someplace?

I would have thought Scrappy would get some rough justice for stealing others stuff.  I wouldn't have thought anyone would tolerate that kind of behaviour.  Sounds like Scrappy could be mentally ill.  But I guess a lot of prisoners everywhere are likely to be mentally ill and should be getting treatment rather than being banged up in jail.

We'll be able to ask OV what it's like to be in jail as he'll be doing time within a couple of years of investigations.  I expect he will leave Hungary within hours of losing the election.  According to Mrs F, some of the others have already departed - with their cash - for places like the US, Dubai and other hidey-holes.   

@fluffy2560

Daily car impound storage fees vary based on location and vehicle size, but generally range from $20 to over $50 per day. In Texas, state-regulated storage fees for a standard car (25 feet or less) are typically $22.85 per day.

@fluffy2560 Daily car impound storage fees vary based on location and vehicle size, but generally range from $20 to over $50 per day. In Texas, state-regulated storage fees for a standard car (25 feet or less) are typically $22.85 per day. - @SimCityAT

Rip Off!  I suppose they will sell it or crush it if it's not paid for.

I think Marilyn's bro's vehicle is in California. 

Could just park it on the street and move it around here and there once every few days.

His silly son was on probation when he got pulled over, he is locked up again!!

Rates where the van is in impound are suppose to be the cheapest in NV.

Son lives in Ca but was in Nv visiting his grandfather.

$35. a day plus the $177. in towing charges;

I sent over a few lawyers numbers who may be able to do a payment plan if needed to get his van out; He has to get his custody officer to sing papers for anyone to collect the van for him early.

Huge mess and so stupid it hurts my brain.

I hate to be a seer but I saw this coming.

I knew somehow his son or his son,s GF would mess it up big time.

Maybe I should see myself winning the lotto, if dreams could come true!

His silly son was on probation when he got pulled over, he is locked up again!!
Rates where the van is in impound are suppose to be the cheapest in NV.
Son lives in Ca but was in Nv visiting his grandfather.
$35. a day plus the $177. in towing charges;
I sent over a few lawyers numbers who may be able to do a payment plan if needed to get his van out; He has to get his custody officer to sing papers for anyone to collect the van for him early.
Huge mess and so stupid it hurts my brain.
I hate to be a seer but I saw this coming.
I knew somehow his son or his son,s GF would mess it up big time.
Maybe I should see myself winning the lotto, if dreams could come true! - @Marilyn Tassy

That's bonkers crazy money for car issues.   Bit OTT on the cost.  Justice system aimed at retribution rather than rehabilitation.   If he didn't have a license at all, then that's more expensive but if it was just expired, surely just slap on the wrist.  Impounding the car seems really  too much.

It sounds like trouble magnets.  My nephew is constantly in bother as well - usually over car issues like speeding and not having a yearly test or ignoring court paperwork. 

The justice system posts him letters which he never receives - so he says.  He blames the Post Office for not sending him letters on time.  I've posted him stuff and it has disappeared completely, never to be seen again.   The PO refuses to acknowledge his address exists.  That's despite - for example - delivering to No. 8 and his house is next door at No. 6.  He's actually spoken to the postman and they take the post back to the Post Office, even when he's been stood there pointing to the number on the door.  They say it doesn't exist.  It's a very strange business.

Post Office is a major rip off here in HU.  Sending stuff to the UK is a big no-no.  I collect my own UK post up, fly to the UK and post it while I am there.  It cost me about 10K HUF to send a letter to the UK, recorded delivery (with signature).   Another Brexit benefit.  It used to take 3 days, now it takes 3 weeks (minimum).

My SIL just sent me something from my bank in the US.

She sent it priority mail, $50.55!

More cardboard weight then actual mail.

Many though, she and everyone went to the very ends of earth to be of aid to me while I was there;

I felt so humbled and cared for, no idea what I ever did to be treated so nicely.

Guess I am just a ball of sunshine to be around, no just a real pain actually.

I had one major issue after another with my debt card in the US.

I now have a credit card for such emergencies.

I was proud to not have any credit cards but see as the world is more digital then ever, you can not survive without one.

It was so nice to see everyone, even my 80 year old cousin showed up at the cafe in my hotel to visit me and have a meal together. Sadly is wife just got out of hospital and could not join us.

My Vegas friend had not left her condo since Dec;3 got dressed and came to my rescue and to say bye.

Feeling a bit sad we did not have more quality time together.

I saw her condo and had lunch at her place.

Really a nice little comfy place to be.

I could of used another few days in Vegas but I was spending over $200. a day just on a room and car.

Adds up quickly.

IDK, but my bro,s son sounds like allot of trouble.

I was not around when he was growing up, moved shortly after he was born;

Had such high hopes for him.

having a mom on meth for over 25 years did not help him at all.

My SIL just sent me something from my bank in the US.
She sent it priority mail, $50.55!
More cardboard weight then actual mail.
Many though, she and everyone went to the very ends of earth to be of aid to me while I was there;
I felt so humbled and cared for, no idea what I ever did to be treated so nicely.
Guess I am just a ball of sunshine to be around, no just a real pain actually.
I had one major issue after another with my debt card in the US.
I now have a credit card for such emergencies.
I was proud to not have any credit cards but see as the world is more digital then ever, you can not survive without one.
It was so nice to see everyone, even my 80 year old cousin showed up at the cafe in my hotel to visit me and have a meal together. Sadly is wife just got out of hospital and could not join us.
My Vegas friend had not left her condo since Dec;3 got dressed and came to my rescue and to say bye.
Feeling a bit sad we did not have more quality time together.
I saw her condo and had lunch at her place.
Really a nice little comfy place to be.
I could of used another few days in Vegas but I was spending over $200. a day just on a room and car.
Adds up quickly.
IDK, but my bro,s son sounds like allot of trouble.
I was not around when he was growing up, moved shortly after he was born;
Had such high hopes for him.
having a mom on meth for over 25 years did not help him at all. - @Marilyn Tassy

We're at Saturday and by Monday we'll be on a new government (hopefully).  Not that anything will immediately change but at least OV's hold on power will be over. Oy vay, mein Gott, ay carumba.

My eldest is here with her BF and they are staying in town.   We were at Pad Thai in Mammut 2 last night. They've gone to Széchenyi Baths today and they'll come over to our house on Sunday.   The Tisza free concert at Heroes Square was mobbed.  Thought to be over 100K people.   Real life reporting from the scene (no. 3 daughter), people couldn't get on the tram to get to or away from the area.  I believe metro trains were not stopping at Deak Ter due to overcrowding.  I guess back to normal this morning.

Post has become bonkers crazy expensive.    I have my cards on my phone and in Google Wallet etc. I do not have to use the physical card to actually pay for anything.  I rarely use the physical card now.  But it means a smart phone is needed. I can even store my boarding cards in the phone as well. I still tend to print out paper copies as I don't really trust the phone battery or phone to be working.  It's never failed me yet but there's always a first time.

You are lucky that people were able to turn up to see you.  It's becoming quite difficult for my lot - we're all over the place and world. I haven't seen my wider relatives for 18 months now. I think last time the wider group was together was at my father's funeral in September 2023 and more immediate relatives in September 2024 when his apartment was finally sold and I was there to tidy up.  It's just too difficult to get everyone together. I suppose that's just life - my Mum and Dad were glue that held us together.

Be cheaper if my lot all came to Budapest.  We were supposed to have a 60th birthday for me back in COVID times but it all had to be cancelled.  Maybe when I'm 70, we can have another go.   Only 4 years until 70.  What the hell happened?!  Time whizzed by!

I get it, just very strange to think there is now an actual time limit on hos long we or those we love will be sticking around.

It is possible I saw my cousin for the last time and my friend too.

She is very ill with an UTI infection; In the past 6 months her lamo GP put her on 4 different meds for UTI!

Now she has a serious one and is miserable, needs to take her meds for a few more days;

It is something else that she is still alive.

It hurts my soul to think of her not around and also hurts knowing she is in so much pain all the time.

WTH??

Her husband drove me here and there until I got my rental car situation fixed; he needs cataract surgery but is afraid to do it.

I remember when we were going to take on the world ,now it seems the world has taken over us!

I just found out we are not Baby Boomers but a silent generation called, Generation Jones.

In between the boomers and gen X.

Sold a bill of goods that never was delivered.

Sounds about right.

One foot in the promised land and one in reality.

Never really part of anything.

Not Hippies, not Punks just in the middle of the mess.

Born between 1954 and 1965.

Born between being a stay at home mom and women,s lib.

I notice once again, my edit is not working here very well.

His silly son was on probation when he got pulled over, he is locked up again!!
Rates where the van is in impound are suppose to be the cheapest in NV.
Son lives in Ca but was in Nv visiting his grandfather.
$35. a day plus the $177. in towing charges;
I sent over a few lawyers numbers who may be able to do a payment plan if needed to get his van out; He has to get his custody officer to sing papers for anyone to collect the van for him early.
Huge mess and so stupid it hurts my brain.
I hate to be a seer but I saw this coming.
I knew somehow his son or his son,s GF would mess it up big time.
Maybe I should see myself winning the lotto, if dreams could come true! - @Marilyn Tassy
That's bonkers crazy money for car issues. Bit OTT on the cost. Justice system aimed at retribution rather than rehabilitation. If he didn't have a license at all, then that's more expensive but if it was just expired, surely just slap on the wrist. Impounding the car seems really too much.
It sounds like trouble magnets. My nephew is constantly in bother as well - usually over car issues like speeding and not having a yearly test or ignoring court paperwork.

The justice system posts him letters which he never receives - so he says. He blames the Post Office for not sending him letters on time. I've posted him stuff and it has disappeared completely, never to be seen again. The PO refuses to acknowledge his address exists. That's despite - for example - delivering to No. 8 and his house is next door at No. 6. He's actually spoken to the postman and they take the post back to the Post Office, even when he's been stood there pointing to the number on the door. They say it doesn't exist. It's a very strange business.

Post Office is a major rip off here in HU. Sending stuff to the UK is a big no-no. I collect my own UK post up, fly to the UK and post it while I am there. It cost me about 10K HUF to send a letter to the UK, recorded delivery (with signature). Another Brexit benefit. It used to take 3 days, now it takes 3 weeks (minimum). - @fluffy2560

For sending birthday and holiday presents to close friends and family in the UK I buy on Amazon uk and get it delivered to their address.

No tax and often no postage either.

They have to unwrap it too.

For sending birthday and holiday presents to close friends and family in the UK I buy on Amazon uk and get it delivered to their address.No tax and often no postage either.They have to unwrap it too. - @anns

Good idea.

One cannot post a letter to officialdom using Amazon.

But no tax is not entirely correct as one still has to pay VAT.

You mean no visible import duties and other bureaucrat nonsenses brought about due to Brexit.

We would have no duties at all inter-EU if that moronic Brexit has not taken place.

I have never ordered with Amazon.

I like to shop in person if possible but living far away and having gifts delivered locally is a good idea.

Too bad the US post office does not give free shipping or a break.

Felt bad that my SIL spent so much just mailing me something from my bank;

Did arrived within 6 days which to me was fast seeing it was sent to Hungary.

I will take her to lunch someday to repay her kindness.

She was a real SIL to me in Vegas.

Like an older sister really, took care of things for me, paid for a few things I should of paid for and even took control of organizing my storage units with her son when my jet lag got the better of me.

My deceased brother would be proud of her.

I still am in shock about my recent trip to the states.

I have really been living in a safety bubble here in Hungary.

Either that or I have lost my edge and the US has changed so much in a decade.

There was so much more I wish I could of done there but a week is just not enough time.

I liked some things in the US but found it harder overall then Hungary, at least price wise.

I have never ordered with Amazon.
I like to shop in person if possible but living far away and having gifts delivered locally is a good idea.
Too bad the US post office does not give free shipping or a break.
Felt bad that my SIL spent so much just mailing me something from my bank;
Did arrived within 6 days which to me was fast seeing it was sent to Hungary.
I will take her to lunch someday to repay her kindness.
She was a real SIL to me in Vegas.
Like an older sister really, took care of things for me, paid for a few things I should of paid for and even took control of organizing my storage units with her son when my jet lag got the better of me.
My deceased brother would be proud of her.
I still am in shock about my recent trip to the states.
I have really been living in a safety bubble here in Hungary.
Either that or I have lost my edge and the US has changed so much in a decade.
There was so much more I wish I could of done there but a week is just not enough time.
I liked some things in the US but found it harder overall then Hungary, at least price wise. - @Marilyn Tassy

Amazon used to be good, even here pre-Brexit.  Everything was delivered from Amazon Germany even if it was ordered on Amazon UK.   My big problem with Amazon nowadays is Jeff Bezos.  He's a Trump brown noser and that will always taint my view of him and his business.   Amazon is such a big player, it's almost impossible to avoid for stuff.  Quite possibly those kinds of dominant businesses need to be broken up.  But generally, any of those tech bros need to be avoided but I'm not finding anyone in the e-commerce space who is truly prepared to make a stand against Trump.  Hardly surprising.  I suppose it's the same here - avoiding Orban's tentacles has always been a problem.

I used to work with a guy from South America who worked extensively in Colombia.  He said at the time that drug money was everywhere.  From the supermarkets to just renting an apartment.  The criminal elements were completely interwoven with society.  The touch of cocaine "money" was on postage stamps, on door handles and at the petrol/gas pump.  It was simply impossible to avoid coming into contact with the cocaine economy in some way.   I guess this is the same issue as the tech bros, Orban and the rest of those people.

They do say there are 13 powerful families who really control the world;

The ones we think are in charge are just their puppets.

I have zero plan to order anything online again if possible.

They are making it hard to purchase some items without going online though.

Have to live without them or deal with big business and their hassles.

I learned the hard way to not use an online travel site.

Dam Cheapo air is a scam! Used them for years but this time they added no less then 15 charges to my account, all refunded after a hassle except for 2 which I will get my bank involved in next week.Just around$50. but it is the principle of it. I paid $50 just to cancel my flight with them but they are greedy.

They did not explain why they charged 15 different charges, some small some large.

Soft charges, hard charges, mumbo jumbo to try and confuse a person.

Those online sites are OK for comparing different prices but to book, call the airline directly.

Same for hotel rooms, made that mistake and paid more then I needed to for my hotel room.

Mad at myself now, been years since I purchased a trip, live and learn.

Makes me mad that these sorts of shady businesses are allowed to stay open.

Buyer beware!

My bro wrote a few letters recently.

Very depressing. That crappy scrappy guy tempted my bro to poke his eyes out;

Everyone was moved to another building an dhad to pack up there stuff for the move.

My bro was helping and elderly guy and using his wheelchair like a hand cart of sorts;

Crappy came along, all smiling and helpful for once; He grabbed the full chair and pushed it along while my bro used his walker.

Well crappy stole about 12 packs of my bros, cup of noodles; Hot commodity inside, used for favors and trading.

The guy would not fess up to stealing but my bro saw him munching on the dry noodles; Bro was tempted to poke him in the eye when he was sleeping.

Thankfully he controlled himself;he gets out in about 7 weeks and that bum of a dude is not worth more time.

I wish I could be there to pick him up when he gets out, take him to a steak dinner and make sure he has a place until her recovers his van.

Well, all I can do is hope someone helps him who lives closer by.

@Marilyn Tassy

On the other side, how many people in this world can afford a flight ticket in the first place. All of us are small ants and all of us have (financial) set-backs, but so far we are still alive (mobile or not).

@Marilyn Tassy
On the other side, how many people in this world can afford a flight ticket in the first place. All of us are small ants and all of us have (financial) set-backs, but so far we are still alive (mobile or not). - @cdw057

Air fares have come down a lot due to the low cost high volume models of airlines.  It's possible to fly between to cities in my own country (UK) cheaper via third countries than it is to catch a train directly.  That's absurd of course.   

A return air ticket from HU to the UK could cost less than 100 EUR with just hand luggage.

It's more affordable than it has ever been except of course, the fuel surcharge which is going to hit further down the line in maybe May or June when the fuel hedging has stopped.

I am going to the UK myself next week and with luggage, my ticket will be about 300 EUR.  That's relatively expensive but far cheaper than it was 30 years ago.

They do say there are 13 powerful families who really control the world;
The ones we think are in charge are just their puppets.
I have zero plan to order anything online again if possible.
They are making it hard to purchase some items without going online though.
Have to live without them or deal with big business and their hassles.
I learned the hard way to not use an online travel site.
Dam Cheapo air is a scam! Used them for years but this time they added no less then 15 charges to my account, all refunded after a hassle except for 2 which I will get my bank involved in next week.Just around$50. but it is the principle of it. I paid $50 just to cancel my flight with them but they are greedy.
They did not explain why they charged 15 different charges, some small some large.
Soft charges, hard charges, mumbo jumbo to try and confuse a person.
Those online sites are OK for comparing different prices but to book, call the airline directly.
Same for hotel rooms, made that mistake and paid more then I needed to for my hotel room.
Mad at myself now, been years since I purchased a trip, live and learn.
Makes me mad that these sorts of shady businesses are allowed to stay open.
Buyer beware!
My bro wrote a few letters recently.
Very depressing. That crappy scrappy guy tempted my bro to poke his eyes out;
Everyone was moved to another building an dhad to pack up there stuff for the move.
My bro was helping and elderly guy and using his wheelchair like a hand cart of sorts;
Crappy came along, all smiling and helpful for once; He grabbed the full chair and pushed it along while my bro used his walker.
Well crappy stole about 12 packs of my bros, cup of noodles; Hot commodity inside, used for favors and trading.
The guy would not fess up to stealing but my bro saw him munching on the dry noodles; Bro was tempted to poke him in the eye when he was sleeping.
Thankfully he controlled himself;he gets out in about 7 weeks and that bum of a dude is not worth more time.
I wish I could be there to pick him up when he gets out, take him to a steak dinner and make sure he has a place until her recovers his van.
Well, all I can do is hope someone helps him who lives closer by. - @Marilyn Tassy

I always use the airline online booking sites.  To compare prices, I also use skyscanner.com to check different routes. It's pretty reliable and does come up with some suggestions.   I was able to get back from Asia after this Trumpist Iran war because it suggested Saudia Airlines via Delhi and Jeddah.  Never occurred to me to even consider them.  They were never on my radar. I was looking at Thai, Turkish, even JAL (Japanese Airlines) but they were insane pricing.  Only Saudia had sane pricing.

What I have found is using travel agent sites causes problems when a ticket needs to be changed.  The airline doesn't own the reservation so they cannot change it.  And if the travel agent is in some other place and you cannot contact them due to weekends and time zone differences, you are absolutely stuffed.  So best to always do a direct booking and own it yourself.

I also had unidentifiable charges on my CC for god knows what.  Mostly it turns out to be fuel surcharges but weren't shown.  In the EU, the entire price must be shown.  No "drip pricing" as it is known.  That's the consumer law and your ticket started and ended here so was totally subject to EU law.  Doesn't matter what the airline is.

For hotels, if I am going on a longer trip, I do an initial booking of say a week or 5 days on booking.com and then I try and negotiate the price down for subsequent periods at the same hotel.  It has worked a number of times. I've shaved off more than $20 a night without even too much arguing for a discount. 

As for ramen noodles as prison currency, I've heard that before.  Maybe Scrappy needs a punch in the face when discharge time comes.  Just a leecher.  His opinion is probably that people are suckers to be exploited.  That's the way of grifters.  Scrappy would do well working at the WH.  Sounds well if, over, qualified for a senior job there.

I probably would of paid at least high price for my hotel room if I had booked directly with them;

Kicking myself now!

Had a huge mess with the rental car co;

My niece paid for it as a gift for me;

She used her debt card and the money was taken out of her bank account.

I arrived and went to the desk to pick up the car after my long haul trip and arrived at night.

They pulled some total BS and said they did not except debt cards and needed to see a credit card; All I had was my debt card with me and $100; US cash;

They also added an extra $200. on top of what they told her it cost, all for insurance, $34; per day!

I read it was only $11; for a local ID and $17; for an international driving license.

No they changed things like over night!

OK, would of paid nearly anything but they refused my debt card!

I was so mad, went from rental desk to another, they all said the same stupid thing; They take debt cards from everyone BUT not from local NV drivers! My license is from NV.

They said locals rent cars and never bring them back! I showed them my return ticket etc; but no way, dam them!

Had to take a cab to the hotel and figure it out the next day when my bank opened.

My Vegas frinds husband drove me to run errands and in the end although my bank assured me mty card was good, it was refused again at the rental desk, friends husband put it on his credit card and I gave him cash.

I felt so homeless and dumb! I went back to my bank and applied for a credit card, approved in less then a min; Had to wait for it to be sent to me so the whole trip I was flipping out about who would take my debt card and who would not!

My friend even had to cover the last leg of my trip from Germany to Hungary as the last night there, I got a message they had not charged in full for my ticket and my debt did not work!! More cash given out.

What shook me to the core and still makes me cringe is when I was checking into the hotel, they pulled a resort fee thing of another $151. on me; OK here is my debt card; It did not go through!!! I was tired, sleepy confused and felt so alone and crazed; I had paid through a 3rd party site, Vio.com and thought all charges had already been covered; I told the desk clerk I had already given them well over $400. and said just give me a room for the night and I would fix things at my bank in the morning; They would not do that!!

Finally they tried my card again and it went through; Boy the stress was too much for me;

Later, I joked that I was going to have to turn tricks on Boulder Hwy just to get a place to rest my he    ad;

I love joking around but that situation was not funny at all;

I had the clerk call my friend but it was 11pm and her phone was off. She woke up 20 mins later and called the hotel, did not need her help but sweet that she was ready to come and save me.

It is a big deal as she uses a wheelchair and getting around in cars etc; is hard for her.

I was amazed how good a friend she turned out to be after we had a falling out years ago.

So I had both a great time seeing everyone and the worst experience of my life at the same time;

Felt like a loser although the bank gave me Platinum service. You could have a million bucks stashed in the bank and still be treated like a bum without a credit card.

I gave up cards in 1999. Guess the digital world is forcing us to go with their system; Cash is no longer king.

I was and still am shaken to the core and have no plans on going anywhere, not even on Wizz airlines to the next country over.

Home sweet home for me!!

HU:

1st Sunday in May is HU mother's Day.  3rd May in this case.

Even if your mother has passed, it's a good day to think about them.

Oh yes, my niece,s bank statement had the rental car charges taken off; They gave it bank then took it out again!!

She is fighting Budget rental car now to get her money back!

I feel terrible, she wanted to treat me but instead we both got scammed.

I paid somewhere around $1,200 plus another $160. for airfare, she and her daughter paid $1,200 from San Fran to Vegas round trip, very pricey for a one hour flight!

Thanks for the tip on drip pricing, I look look into that. Just over $50 rip off from Cheapo air but it bugs, they scam allot of people it seems.

The USA, home of the scammers!

Once again the edit is not working on this site. Have to type slower then.

HU:
1st Sunday in May is HU mother's Day. 3rd May in this case.

Even if your mother has passed, it's a good day to think about them. - @fluffy2560

I think of my mom everyday, miss her allot.

I gathered up a few things that could fit in my suitcase and gave them to my great niece. A sequin handbag my mom took with her when going dancing, a small porcelain dish my sister, her grandmother got in a gift bag when my sister went to the Academy Awards back in the 80s.

A few trinkets that I wanted her to have, old photos of relatives etc.

I was almost going to give her my grandmothers diamond ring but nah, she can wait till I kick it to get that one!

My niece ordered matching PJ,s for the 3 of us from Amazon. Was fun to have a girls slumber party, too bad I was half asleep with jet lag. We took some fun photos and I crashed out like a ton of bricks.

HU:1st Sunday in May is HU mother's Day. 3rd May in this case.Even if your mother has passed, it's a good day to think about them. - @fluffy2560I think of my mom everyday, miss her allot.I gathered up a few things that could fit in my suitcase and gave them to my great niece. A sequin handbag my mom took with her when going dancing, a small porcelain dish my sister, her grandmother got in a gift bag when my sister went to the Academy Awards back in the 80s.A few trinkets that I wanted her to have, old photos of relatives etc.I was almost going to give her my grandmothers diamond ring but nah, she can wait till I kick it to get that one!My niece ordered matching PJ,s for the 3 of us from Amazon. Was fun to have a girls slumber party, too bad I was half asleep with jet lag. We took some fun photos and I crashed out like a ton of bricks. - @Marilyn Tassy

While we were driving to Balaton and back yesterday, Mrs F and I were discussing her brother's constant visits to their mother's grave.  She's been in there perhaps 6 months.   He goes there possibly once a week.  I do understand that it's a grieving process but it's a bit too much in my mind.  I haven't visited my own parents grave for about 2 years.  It's obviously difficult as it's there (in the UK) and I'm here. Even when I do go there, I'm 200+ miles away visiting my eldest and I haven't got the time and energy to drive all the way there and back.  My other relatives can share photos if they go.

The main discussion about relations with parents came down to what we felt about our parents passing.  Both of us are rather clinical about it.   We knew they would go and they took quite a time to pass so we kind of got used to it.  Still miss them of course.  Seems strange that I seem to miss my Dad more than my Mum.  I thought I was close to my Mum but it seems to be different in practice.

Meanwhile, one of the old guard - Mrs F's uncle has now gone.  He'll be buried on Friday this week so it's a trip to the countryside for Mrs F.  I won't go as I'm flying to the UK.   This uncle was an OK guy - ethnically German.  He'd had a stroke a couple of years ago and could no longer speak.  In the end, pneumonia got him.   His 3 kids are on the job so Mrs F has to just turn up for the funeral with her bro.    Only two old guard left now - two uncles.  That entire generation will be extinct when those two uncles go.

Oh yes, my niece,s bank statement had the rental car charges taken off; They gave it bank then took it out again!!
She is fighting Budget rental car now to get her money back!
I feel terrible, she wanted to treat me but instead we both got scammed.
I paid somewhere around $1,200 plus another $160. for airfare, she and her daughter paid $1,200 from San Fran to Vegas round trip, very pricey for a one hour flight!
Thanks for the tip on drip pricing, I look look into that. Just over $50 rip off from Cheapo air but it bugs, they scam allot of people it seems.
The USA, home of the scammers! - @Marilyn Tassy

Debit cards are a bit of a problem.  In my own country, paying by CC is much more a better idea because the laws are so strongly in favour of the cardholder.    If things go wrong, one can resort to the card issuer for ultimate complaints and the chances of winning are extremely high.  Debit cards are slightly more problematic but still possible to get redress.

I complained against the airline FlyDubai charges over my emergency escape from Asia and the credit card company coughed immediately with a refund.  Ok, it was only about 35 EUR but literally within an hour of complaining it was credited back to me.   Not a great deal of money and not worth them arguing about. 

My view is that I can work on arguing with them full time if necessary - days and days - but they always have to think how much time and energy it's costing them to argue.  I've sued people in court over consumer issues and I think the latest hourly charge is £12 to claim back as costs for admin work.  So I can spend all day at it for not much money but their costs are likely to be hundreds per hour.  Not worth them fighting. 

Amazon is a bit the same. Argue with them and they generally cave in quickly - but caution that only buying from them will bring immediate results. Amazon sites are generally marketplaces.

There's an interesting little quirk with CCs (at least UK ones) and that's if you pay only a partial amount of the total on the CC, then the entire amount is subject to the CC regulations.  So if I bought a car for £5000 but paid £1000 on the CC and £4000 in cash, the CC company is still liable for the £5000, not just £1000.   If I am buying big stuff, I always put a bit on the CC and pay the other amount by different means like cash etc.    That way, entirely protected.  Air tickets and hotels or hotels, that's a good one to try and pay on CCs. But that's UK credit cards.   Don't know about other countries.

Good tip about mixing up using a CC and cash to purchase something.

I have no plans to purchase anything large ATM.

I wish I could of used that travel money to buy a  new washing machine and other things but in many ways I no longer care about this apt.much.

Just a place to rest and take it easy.

I should call up Cheapo Air and demand my $52. plus bucks back; I was more then patient, they said it would take 7 to 14 business days, been nearly 60 days now!

Just scammers! Saw a video where they kept over $10,000 from one older man; He had bought tickets for 5 family members and the trip fell through, covid I believe was the problem.

Other people are owed in the thousands from them;

They are based in NY but when you call you are sent to India; Hate that when they hire people to work the phones and they can not be clearly understood and speak like they are racing, way to fast and do not make any sense. When you tell them to speak clear of slow down they get weird on you, as if they are not weird enough to begin with. Sweat shop job at a call center. NEVER use them!

Good tip about mixing up using a CC and cash to purchase something.
I have no plans to purchase anything large ATM.
I wish I could of used that travel money to buy a new washing machine and other things but in many ways I no longer care about this apt.much.
Just a place to rest and take it easy.
I should call up Cheapo Air and demand my $52. plus bucks back; I was more then patient, they said it would take 7 to 14 business days, been nearly 60 days now!
Just scammers! Saw a video where they kept over $10,000 from one older man; He had bought tickets for 5 family members and the trip fell through, covid I believe was the problem.
Other people are owed in the thousands from them;
They are based in NY but when you call you are sent to India; Hate that when they hire people to work the phones and they can not be clearly understood and speak like they are racing, way to fast and do not make any sense. When you tell them to speak clear of slow down they get weird on you, as if they are not weird enough to begin with. Sweat shop job at a call center. NEVER use them! - @Marilyn Tassy

I can only talk about UK credit card regulations.

Definitely persuade the scumbags who kept your $52.  I have - as one might have guessed from my postings - a strong sense of justice - social or otherwise.  So on principle, I'd complain continuously.   

I am owed £6.04 by a UK government department.  They said they'd pay it but that was more than a month ago. I'm not letting that one go either!  And that £6.04 is to be split 4 ways.   I'm going to dig my heels in and complain and complain.  Basz meg as they say around here.

As for call centres, I agree those workers really need some elocution lessons. I get they are under pressure to turn over the calls but really, it's not good to have thick accents when dealing with older people.  My hearing is useless and I've got tinnitus as well (probably due to painkiller usage for my back).   I am also not as fast as I used to be and I often want to reconfirm details because I want to make sure they got it and I understood them.

Actually strange thing in the UK is that many call centres are in Scotland. Apparently Scottish accents appear more trustworthy than English ones.  That's kind of weird to me.  Welsh accents are considered friendly.   I can get that I think.  I need Scottish and Welsh accent lessons. I sound totally South East of England cum London.

My No. 2 daughter is in Ontario and she works the phones in a provincial government call centre.  She says she gets abused for having a Northern English accent and I've heard some of the calls - they get recorded.  Unbelievable things people say.   On the other hand, one caller gave a load of abuse but then relented and called back later and apologised.  That was good of him to do that.  I listened to the call and it seemed like he'd got out of bed the wrong the side. 

I was grumpy with British Airways staff once and I ended up apologising but from their side, I give them major kudos for having personnel who could "disarm" a tense situation.  They had the right words and calmed it all down. I don't even remember why I was grumpy but I remembered they were very good at dealing with miserable me!

Well, I understand getting grumpy with airlines.

Our flight from SFO to Frankfurt was delayed nearly one hour in SF.

The pilot was nice, he personally came out to the gate, put wing pins on some children and got on the PA to explain the situation and said he would put the petal to the metal safely to make sure no one missed a connecting flight. United airlines, first time a pilot did anything like that in my experience.

Landed in Frankfurt and the male purser got on the PA and told eveeryone to take the bus to the terminal and where to get their connections;

He said anyone going to Budapest should, RUN!

I was using the wheelchair service, that was overall a great idea;

I decided to just get on the bus and head to the gate ASAP and not wait around for wheelchair service with the other 14 or so people. Walked a fast and my little ol legs could go to my gate.

Went to the check in counter ad I was listed for preboarding status. Bam, spoke with the typical hard a@@ middle aged German women, rude and nasty, she frowned and said go sit down!

2 mins later we boarded, why be so rude when you work with the public?

Oh well, I was first to board, strange feeling to walk in and see no one else inside except the crew.

The flight from Frankfurt to Budapest required me to get on a Lufthansa flight.

I honestly do not like that airline, had several rude experiences with them.

Once they forced everyone to get their bags as the flight had been cancelled and they were going to dump us at a hotel;

My husbands bags were collected but mine did not show up!

I went straight away to lost baggage to let them know. I was not angry , yet, or rude but the young man at the desk started swearing under his breath in German; Like we did not know he was being a jerk off.

Took another 5 days for my bags to arrive in Vegas.

2 nights of waiting for a flight out in German then another 5 days before they showed up.

Good thing I was staying awhile, what if you only had a week somewhere and your bags never showed up?