Újpest means, literally, "New Pest". Still don't know the history of it. Has lots of socialist-era apartment buildings, but also seems to have some old style places too. After only a day, I think it will be a nice place to live, and in the middle of autumn I find it less gloomy than I remembered it to be when I was last here in the dead of winter.
One new thing I have to deal with more is "The Look". It's something I had to get used to when I was here before, especially among the old-timers in my old building on Murányi.
Újpest is such a no-bullshit working class enclave that no amount of dressing down will hide the fact that I'm a poncified California-born hipster. The Look is given to me by most people I pass on the street - especially the middle-aged ciggie-huffing housewives toting their bags home from the Match store at the Újpest-Központ station.
Here's how to give The Look:
It's a cold, scrutinizing glare delivered while walking toward the subject with the head at approximately 12 degrees to the right. The head should be held thusly so as to express dour suspicion, while not appearing overtly confrontational. When you approach within 10 meters of the subject, drop the head a bit, and focus downward as if you suddenly saw something floating in the gutter that's much more interesting than the snot-nosed American brat in front of you who is blithely looking for adventure in your corner of the universe.
Too happy to care, though.
Plus, I know that whatever they think of me, it's nothing compared to what they think of the leaders of the political party they happen to be against - whether it be Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány or Fidesz' Viktor Orban. You should hear the pissing matches people here get into over those two. Makes the Obama-McCain acrimony look like a tea party.
