“It was previously a question of finding out whether or not life had to have a meaning to be lived. It now becomes clear on the contrary that it will be lived all the better if it has no meaning”
Albert Camus
Another blue sky.
I watch the sun hit Szabadság tér.
A symbol of protest. The last remaining statue of the communist regime that reigned as a single party for over forty years. Magyar Népköztársaság – The Hungarian Peoples Republic. The Hungarian Socialist Worker’s Party governed it and was a puppet of the Soviet Union.
Post-war, Churchill and Stalin decided how things would be for Hungary. It was agreed that the country would fall under the ‘Soviet sphere of influence’. They were handing Hungary to The Soviets, like giving someone a bunch of flowers.
“The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.”
Leon Trotsky
The spoils of victory and the price of being on the wrong side of the war.
In October 1956 the people pushed back. The Soviets would have none of that. Thousands of troops and tanks were sent in to put down the revolution. János Kádár was put in power. Thousands killed. Hundreds of thousands were sent into exile.
The audacity of the Hungarian people to attempt to govern themselves.
János Kádár would sit unopposed for over thirty years until finally, the end came with the breaking up of the Soviet Union and Hungary could form a democracy and govern independently.
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
I think about this and reflect on how I feel about flying back to Dubai later today.
Perspective.
We head to Zërgë Coffeeshop for bagels and coffee.
Some things are worth returning for.
We stroll around the city enjoying the cold.
“And though the coldness I have always felt leaves me, the numbness doesn’t and probably never will.”
Bret Easton Ellis
Budapest airport is busy and efficient.
The flight home is fine.
I get through half of All The Pretty Horses.
When did passengers start applauding when a plane lands?
Dubai airport is fast.
Taxi.
Home.
Bed.
“It struck her that endings were never as you would expect them to be.”
Larry McMurtry
