Sandbender - what is it specifically about Budapest that makes it so depressing in the winter months? Best of luck over the coming months!
Possibly the location, with few mountains nearby the air is often still and damp and there is a lot of traffic, most of which doesn't move too quickly, so smog can be a problem. Add to that, the days seem much shorter than winter days elsewhere, we're on central european time but are much further east than say Paris or Madrid.
The Buildings (especially in Pest) are often in a poor state of repair, dark and dirty, there seems to be no mechanism (such as the one which exists in Scotland) where a city council can require that a buildings tenants keep their building in good order, or failing that carry out the work on the residents behalf and send them a bill. So when faced with buying a new wide screen TV or fixing the crumbling facade or tottering chimneys, people choose the former.
Graffiti is scrawled on the streets and in parks (war memorials too), local businesses that once lined the
Grand Boulevard have long since gone out of business and have been replaced by casinos and sex shops.
Hungarians often seem more morose, especially in winter, depression is common. It was a Hungarian who wrote what is claimed to be the most depressing song ever, one that has allegedly driven more people to suicide than any other.
Gloomy Sunday.
[video=youtube;EjpAohE6Jv4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjpAohE6Jv4[/video]
However with all that standing against it, where Hungarians are gloomy on the streets they are swift to laugh at home, amongst friends and family good times will be had and they generally don't start to celebrate Christmas in September, only on Christmas eve are trees decorated, Christmas here is less about getting your child the latest gizmo and more about families getting together. And such get togethers! Pigs, ducks and geese have already noticed the appraising look the farmers and small holders are giving them.
I just need to work my through to March when the first shoots of green start to appear.
Best of luck over the coming months!
Thanks