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What’s mutual in Mexico – Budapest – Barcelona?

Mexico, well-known of its number one, El Jimador tequila

Budapest,  Mr. Ferenc Keresztes well know bar-mixer and gourmand at the Symbol Restaurant 

Barcelona, well know Bartender Cup at the Great European Tequila Challenge

Another international cup goes out to Mr. Ferenc Keresztes, the bar mixer at the Symbol Restaurant, Budapest as the latest molecular dish and drink mixers in 2012.  Symbol’s bar-mixer  deals with making cocktail since 2002.  From the year 2003 he has also participated in the race ground of  making distinguished drinks and dishes, and  accumulates professional accolades.

Did you know,  Mexico’s most popular tequila, the El Jimador is also divine  on the plates? 

When it comes to the fusion of food with tequila the imagination of Mr. Ferenc Keresztes has no borders. Nothing is impossible in to-day’s world of special meals. Hungary’s World Champion mixer created a wonderful culinary specialty for the 2012 year.  Took off  the shelves a bottle of  El Jimador tequila, Mexico’s most like tequila to prepare his mouth-watering speciality.  With his creation he was able to prove, that El Jimador tequila,is  not only a booze for a perfect day, but is also perfect in food. Once again proved that creativity has no bounds.  His creativity has made the world more colorful in the streets of flavors.

Mr. Ference Jeresztes, the bartender won the  World Championship with his sparkling, long drink and  out-of-space formation of  crayfish tails adorned with cocktail shot,  hibiscus, lychee and the El Jimador tequila!

He once said: “I fell in love with the tequila staying in Mexico. The reposado satisfied me the most. It has a very distinctive and complex scent. Bringing the two flavors food and drink together was a great experience for me. Wished to bring the 2in1,  pleasure our scent and the taste at the same  time.”

In Hungary, the tequila is commonly consumed with salt, or lemon, or orange, occasional with cinnamon. But can’t recommend to do it with these ingredients when having snips of the El Jimador tequila. Why? Because these extras suppress the strong flavor that are not meant to take away the taste of  the  rich distilled spirit of the Mayahuel Goddness.

 We can top up our lives at important or less important events with sophisticated drinks and flavors as well.

News source and photos provided by: Ms. Regina Dancsók  – Red Lemon Media

Updated by Aggie Reiter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWAwRonlRAI&feature=related

Actor, Mr. Zsolt Körtvélyessy. Gogol - Diary of a Madman. Snap received from sajto@szabadter.hu

Unexpected interest and attention had been growing at the new playground at the scene of Városmajor. Lately, the Garden Restaurant  had opened  its floor to share series of  theater plays.

During the evening hours (7 p.m.) Wednesday, February the 1st, Mr. Zsolt Körtvélyessy, actor will present the play of the Diary of a Madman. One of best-known work of Nyikolaj Vasziljevics Gogol, (19 March 1809 – 21 February 1852), Ukrainian-born Russian writer. Gogol was truly a classic in the Russian literature. He was fond of writing about the satirised corrupt bureaucracy of the Russian Empire. He formed the scathing realism, ethical criticism.

Be aware, within  the play,  the actor will drift the audience on an emotionally roller coaster.

Mr. Zsolt Körtvélyessy, once talked about why he felt he would like to play this role. His thoughts were …  now-a-days he feels, sees it is even more actual than before. In our present days we are less interested in the crazy ones at the ”clinical care”. We are more interested on the side of the vulnerability, the relationship between the power and the human being. The scale of humiliation will surely make the audience impossible to focus on something else as Mr. Zsolt Körtvélyessy will be engaging their attention.

Whether your Hungarian is good enough, or not to understand the play, here is a link where you can update a bit of what the play is about. When you know the background then just watching the actor it will take you away.

Here’s a link to catch-up in English language:

http://szabadter.hu/gardenszinhaz/szinhaz.html

Update by Aggie Reiter

Photography for the eyes is just the same as music for the ears.

Maybe this is the place you were long time looking for!

HUNGARIAN HOUSE OF PHOTOGRAPHY

PART 1 – Monday, January, 30. 2012.

6 p.m.

 Those foreigners who are planing to come over and the temporary individuals staying in Budapest will be able to sence the beauty in the richness of historical and cultural background that this city offers. Do you have any idea, of what’s to come in the coming days? Here’s an overview of the latest grand program to be arranged at the Hungarian House of Photography.

VIth District – 20 Nagymező Street

A short  overview about this marvelous building:
(The eight-floored building was built in 1894 on the order of Mr. Manó Mai, the photographer.
In 1931, Mr. Sándor Rozsnyai, musical director bought this building from the family. They built another level of three-floors. In 1944, the owners were most probably killed by the Hungarian or the German Nazis. After the WW2, the building was in use of several purposes: a school and sometimes as a presentation hall. From the early ’60s it was the home for the Hungarian Automobile Club for over  30 years. At first as the Mai Mano Gallery opened in 1995 and during the months of spring in 1999  Mr. Peter Nadas, novelist/photographer launched, renovated the building back to its original style and opened the Hungarian House of Photography. If this building could talk, then it would probably tell many interesting tales.)

Here is a web site where you can stroll down for more details about the Hungarian House of Photography in the Mai Manó House: http://www.maimano.hu/maimanohaz_en.html

In just a couple of days to come for all those interested in photography the doors will be opened to enter the  series of lectures to be held at the Budapest’s Hungarian House of Photography. The place is just a bloke away from one of Budapest’s oldest and famous avenues the Andrássy Avenue. Both ends of the Ave. connects two historical venues. One end connects to the inner city and the other leads to the Hero Square.
Can’t leave the intro before not saying a word about what’s under this avenue full of the beautiful buildings along the way. Europe’s oldest underground train on the continent (the yellow line). It was built on the company’s plans of Siemens and Halske (1894) The tracks were open to the public on May, 2. 1896. After so many decades it is still in use.
Budapest is fortunate enough to offer the space to the “outstanding photographers”

Following the success of the series of the Photography Free University, the Hungarian House of Photography will be the venue for the Photography Speaker.

 The presentations will be  in English language.

 The 1st  semester of the series features experts on various fields of photography with topics ranging from discussions on past and present  the Hungarian, as well as  international photography, historical and  institutional opportunities and perspectives and as well as artistic endeavors and possibilities.

Presentation Part 1.

“Daylight Studio”

Mr. Colin FORD, Founding Director, National Museum of Photography, Film & Television (now National Media Museum),Bradford, UK

Photography – Hungary’s Greatest Export?

 “We need photographs to communicate our particularities and our national character.” In 1914, when Hungarian photographer Rudolf Balogh wrote this, photography – like other forms of Hungarian art  –  was firmly under the influence of European practice. Balogh‟s words marked the beginning of the decades when Hungary‟s photographers were world-leaders; his call to arms was answered by a number of photographers working in Hungary. Some of them, such as Brassaï, Capa, Kertész, Moholy-Nagy and Munkácsi, went on to make their names in Germany, France, Britain and the USA, and are now universally known for the profound changes they brought about in photojournalism and art photography. Others, such as Károly Escher and Rudolf Balogh, remained in Hungary, producing equally high-quality and innovator photography. The worldwide legacy of these Hungarian photographers cannot be underestimated: Henri Cartier-Bresson said: “Whatever we have done, Kertész did first.” Colin Ford CBE was the first senior curator of photography in any British national museum or gallery (National Portrait Gallery, London, Colin Ford CBE was the first senior curator of photography in any British national museum or gallery (National Portrait Gallery, London, 1972-82). In 1982, he became the founding Head of the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television (now the National Media Museum), Bradford. After ten years there, he became Director of the ten National Museums & Galleries of Wales. He has written more than a dozen books on historic photographers – among them Julia Margaret Cameron, „Lewis Carroll‟, D. O. Hill & Robert Adamson and André Kertész – and has mounted many exhibitions.

(source: www.metro-print.co.uk/Photo-Competition/Judges) 

Entry fee for adults: 1000 HUF. Students and pensioners: 500 HUF Purchasing ticket through the  week at the office of the Hungarian House of Photography  –  6th District,  3rd floor at 20 Nagymező Str. from 11 a-m. to 5  p.m. During the week-end at the Mai Manó Book Shop, on the mezzanine level between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. On the lecture day  from 11 a.m. until the opening of the presentations.

The program series is sponsored by the Hungarian Ministry of National Resources 

 … to be continued with the  follow-ups of  February’s  Photography Speakers at the Hungarian House of Photography.

Updated by Aggie Reiter

You ain’t have to blush to have that tan! 

Make it to the  “Sunny Sun&Fun Holidays” Travel Agency to have that change to come!

VIth District,  46 Teréz Blvd. Budapest

Snap presented by the Sunny Sun&Fun Holidays Agency

NO SUN … NO FUN … IF YOU DON’T RUN!

 O.K. needn’t have to rush so much, yet it is pretty worthwhile to have a glance and chose from one of the best offers that are on the desk now with sales until the end of March. You’ll be able to choose a landscape full of nature’s sunshine that is most suitable for you. 

The Sunny Sun&Fun Holidays  recently held its last year’s annual report at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest.  Ms. Mariann Nemes talked about the recent year’s activity figures and Mr. Péter Kovács, Head Agency Service initiated the newcomers/partners of this year’s rollout and welcomed the parties to the ball of 2012. He was pleased to state that over the three years they were able to make it happen for more than  10000 passengers to travel abroad with their agency. The good price and product had made its expectation. They started to launch new sites: Thailand, Goa and Dubai. Last year the agency successfully made the test to reach the ISO certification. Same goes to the year 2012 just like last year they will be present at the Hungexpo Travel Expo during March, 1-4. 2012.  They will have their own three charter airplanes on the runways from the 6^th of June with the logo: “ Handle with care”.

The Orange Sun&Fun Holidays had made liable  programs at the new Orange Sunny Clubs  in Alanya at the 5*Jasmine Beach Resort Turkey and also 5*  Serenity Fun Club in Hurghada Egypt.

Both places will indulge the little chaps by holding them animations, while the bit older ones  can enjoy themselves in “relaxing hard”

Whether at the moment the time is not on your side, then give them a call to see where you haven’t had been yet, or if already visited that country, maybe there are still cosy and delightful parts you might be interested in hopping by. Here’s one office that I am aware of, where you will feel right away you’re in the prefect hands (SUNNY PARADISE TRAVEL KFT +36 30 234 2635 ). I have traveled with them and they very reliable.

Sun & Fun Holidays Agency had implemented its website also with the use of  iPhone and iPod, so the application are now available up there.  After downloading the application at any time, simply look for the promotions of, quote request or contact the staff by phone (+36 1 411 1515) or post an e-mail (info@sunfun.hu). The sales are only on early booking discount prices. Only available by contacting the office, non through the site  (www.sunfun.hu) web reservation.

Updated by Aggie Reiter

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DEVELOPING CREATIVE THINKING

The BKF (College of Communication Arts and Business) is holding its first public debut at the Design Terminal during the  4 day event of January 20-24.

The “ART KICKOFF” starts at 4.p.m. sharp

It’s free of charge to the public

5th district, 13.Erzsébet Square – Budapest

The Art Kickoff  was opened by Mr. András Kepes, Dean and Mr. Dr. László Vass, Rector from the BKF – Collage of Communication Art and  Business.  Two years ago the BKF had decided to move towards to the arts-oriented education in the business and communication courses.

It is winter time here and the full days programs are just a perfect time and place to meet, exchange thoughts, have a drink and enjoy the awesome performances at a warm cosy place in the downtown, at the Design Terminal. Anyone can join these discussion, interviews. Nothing better than to work under the umbrella term gathering experiences from the old-peers, professionals. The first day’s visitors reached the number of 250 “knowledge hungry individuls”!

The name „Kick-Off”, is figuratively just like the first shot on the ground on the football arena, but to be more serious, it is well discovered a long time ago that art cannot be separated from the society and the market. They mutually presuppose and effect each other. During the forthcoming four-days, there will be various performers. Expected to be interesting work-shop discussions and panel talks of what the young adults would be interested in how on, where to sharpen their eyes in the frame of their talent.

Actually the programs coming along during the four-day are not considered as range of showing an exhibition or two, instead it wish to introduce an exciting series of events.

It is not to be missed, due to the various recreated materials, reinterpreted applications, exhibition of various art works, panel talks.

Just a few themes that are on the schedule:animation, photo, media, video, graphics, craft, design, promotions, presentations, environmental culture, Masters and Disciples, sweeping changes within online and media culture and many more events, given by distinguished invited lecturers and daily known media professionals.

The students of the College will be giving bits-and-pieces of their performances to show of what they have had already gain in the field of art communication and in land of business. During the four-days there will be various musical performers as well.

The two ladies in front or should I say behind the window glasses are Ms. Leila Tóth and Ms. Dóra Béres, performers, both drawing by the use of light-pen.

It is not to be missed, due to see the various recreated materials, reinterpreted applications, exhibition of various art works, panel talks.

On the last day the 24th, there will be at 9 p.m. a closing party at the Anker club, whereas everyone can build their creative thinking in a relax tone.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

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  Budapest’s Grand Boulevard  launched its 1^st electric tracks in 1887.

To-day this route is one of Europe’s busiest tram lines that carries around 7-8 thousand passengers/day. The line number 4 and 6 rolls through the city’s inner districts. It connects Buda and Pest side with its tracks above the River Danube. Cross two bridges while their wheels are rolling along the tracks through the downtown of Budapest.

 Mr. Dávid Vitézy, Chief Executive Officer, Budapest Transport Company opened the press and media  get-together in the late morning hours. Also in his company was  Mr. Zoltán Péter Üveges,  the representative of the Siemens, the company who were the contractors of this new development.

Where else than at the STEX  coffee-house, just right outside the corner of the traffic-light to the tram-stop line number 4 and 6, on the Grand Blvd. The Chief Executive Officer opened his talk by saying: “From the 1st of February, all along the Grand Blvd. there will be running time changes on the tram line number 4 and 6 in Budapest. The trams will be rolling on the Grand Blvd. more frequently, compared to the previous 28 trams/H to the runs of 30 trams/H. The tram line 4 and  6 running time will be shortened by 2-3 minutes. The journey time will be upon the length of the traffic-lights in favour to the trams. Within the project a number of 52 traffic-lights and 16 junctions’ traffic-lights will be re-programmed. For the average half-million passengers this will make a huge difference  to reach their journey more faster.” The Chief Executive Officer gave an overview of the financial side of this huge development. As said: “The project was of a total 44 million HUF. Within this number the main part of the costs were supported by the EU, by 40 million HUF.  The goal was to improve the competitiveness of the public transport to the individual’s using multiple times/day the tram lines on the Grand Boulevard.”  Mr. László Vitézy spoke about whole project. One of the main reason why the Center for Budapest Transport “BKK” and the Budapest Transport Co. “BKV” gave “green-lights” to make the tram transport for 7000-8000 (rush hours) individuals more convenient  because the previous years figures showed the traveling individuals with the use of trams on the Grand Boulevard were three-time more than the number of individuals driving by car in the same time and directions on the Grand Boulevard.”  The Director also added some  plans in the coming year’s:  “In the near-far future the paper-tickets and pass types of electronic payment methods are going to be replaced from the year 2014. This is also already in the planning stage of the new ticket system to be implemented. It will reflect to the main scheduled-time-based tickets, also known as pay-as-you-go! This will be the possibility of the use of the non-contact bank-cards. The  system will be gradually brought into operation. The price  of the “pay-as-you-go”  will be the cost of 15 million HUF. The first transition steps to the change from the pass-tickets to the electronic ticketing system will begin at the end of 2013 and last until October, 2014. The second phase would be after the first six months of 2015. The ticketing system will be transformed approximately to 10000 validation devices that will be placed into the vehicles and at  platforms. It will be running through an anonymous system, as a non-contact plastic cards. This will also improve the gaps of getting a pass ticket for the occasional local and foreigner travelers. This will ease them to have their own pass-ticket on the transport line of  Budapest. Many European countries are using this system with  satisfaction.”

Mr. David Vitézy, the Chief Executive Officer closed the press meeting by the following:  “As it may be familiar to many, I would like to thank the representatives of the press for coming by saying farewell in the old fashion way the Hungarian folks did.  So when a guest was  just about to leave the host’s home there were  two possibilities.  Depended how the talks went on.  One opt. was before the guest left either was beaten, or invited to the table of fully packed food.”  

Probably many had the knowledge of this common old fashion farewell habbit, so the press didn’t ask too much, didn’t want to get in trouble.  So we were invited to the table for a light brekky.”  Afterall the Chief Executive Officer said it all.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

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The 9^th INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL – BUDAPEST

February, 2-6. Budapest

District XIV. – 12/a Állatkerti Rd.   – Budapest

 The pre-shows will be twice a day at 11a.m. and 3 p.m. on each date, the  21^st and 22^nd  –  28^th and 29^th of January, 2012. 

Discover and sence the breathtaking stunts!

The representatives of the press and media were called to see for themselves and to spread the news about this forthcoming grand circus festival. The Budapest’s 9^th International Circus Festival had come up with a new concept and will be brought into a tradition. They would like to introduce, a so-called pre-show with the artist of the highest standards before the festival.  These were the opening words before showing a slice of the forthcoming grand 9^th International Circus Festival here in Budapest.  The circus will show for the first time new faces under the dome. The relatively short intro show gave a taste of what to expect in the run of the Hungarian artists in the circle of the “CIRCUSLAND” . The artist’s acrobatic stunts caught the eye and we had a breathtaking experience watching their performances.

The circus started with the very talented, present and former artists from the “István Baross” Institution for Artist. The next intro was given by the Due Lavision, both already have had been on the world’s several platforms. They will be also running in the competition.The intro show ended-up with the Rolling Wheels.  The artist’s acrobatic stunts caught the eye and we had a breathtaking experience watching their performances. These artists really will open wide the eyes of the audience. There’s great expectation for them that’s for sure. All the performers did a grand job. Hopefully many will step ahead, be closer to the door to be discovered as new talents in the land or should I say in the World of Circus. 

Follow-up this special event to be present at the participant artists from all around the World.

Next month will re-launch the 16 year’s anniversary of the traditional International Circus Festival arranged in every second year at Budapest.  This is a venue, an absolute test for the competitors. Whilst the audience will be having an awesome time the circus directors and agents arriving from abroad will be carefully watching, searching for the new talents.

The past years showed many artist’s started their career towards conquer in the international world of circus under the dome at the Hungarian circus.

The circus festival will be welcoming artist from 18 countries, like: Columbia, USA, Cuba, Canada, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, Armenia and Russia.

This year there will be five productions showed by the Hungarian competitors.

The competition will be divided into two parts. Will be appearing in two shows. The 9^th International Circus Festival’s Gala show will be on the 6^th of February, whereas the best-of-the-best competitors will be handed-over their award. The jury will hand out one gold, two silver and three bronze awards.

This year there will be a professional jury with the presence by children and a media jury who will also value and rate the performances.

This year’s guest of honor will be at the closing ceremony Mr. Semen Shuster, the famous clown arriving from Germany.

While Shakespeare said …  “The world is a theater… people are actors in it.”

Fellini insisted …  “The world is a circus …  people are the clowns in it.”

The performances of the circus have had always a social message and will still have in the future.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

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THE MTVA PRESENTED THE CREW OF THE BROADCASTERS OF THE F1 AND OUTLINED THE PLANS TO THE FORTHCOMING  SPORTY YEAR.

F1 CIRCUS AROUND THE WORLD IN NINE MONTHS WITHIN TWENTY COUNTRIES.

WHERE AND WHEN THE HORSE POWER WILL BREAK THE SOUND AND THE RACE TRACKS WILL BE WARMED UP BY THE F1  PILOTS.

During the late morning hours of January, 12 the representatives from the press and media were called to participate at the announcement of the forthcoming broadcast of the 2012 Formula 1 Circus. This year the full coverage will be within four networks: the „MTV m1” Hungarian Television, the „Duna” TV, the „MTI” (Hungarian News Agency) and last but not least two Hungarian Radio Bands: the mr1 „Kossuth” and mr2 „Petőfi” will be on-air. Both of the Hungarian Radio’s will take part in the coverage by giving updates during the morning, noon and evening hours to fill-in the F1 lovers of the day’s figures.

But before continuing what has been said, I would like to fill-in with an overview from a bit of the retrospect side: August, 15. 1976, „just” 36 yrs. ago the Eurovision and the Intervision “Intervizió”  (a bygone era of the dissolution of the world socialist system the transmissions of the Intervizio ended) charging gave the permission for the Sport Department of the Hungarian Television to give the coverage of the World’s most popular circus „the raceland” of the Formula1. At the time being of the race the weather was not by the side of the F1. Before and during the race the pouring rain almost washed away the whole race. The race was started three times. The interruptions stretched a net out to the limited time of broadcasting. This led the viewers not to see the final countdown. The whole country was extremely fed up of not seeing the full coverage. For weeks this insufficiency was the topic in the air and the newspapers.

So heading back to to-day’s Press Conference Hall, held at the Hotel Intercontinental – Budapest, two huge „objects” were out on display covered with black silk material. Wasn’t too much of a challenge to guess what they were covering. Yet when they took their seats  and the lights went off, the high sound of speeding-up engines and imitated smoke placed at the rare side of the black silk covered objects, gave the feeling already your out at the circus. Great intro! Then as slowly the covers were taken down and the eye met two „King” vehicles it was like a theme park experience.

Seated at the Board of the Press Conference were dr. István Böröcz, General Director, MTVA, Mr. Zsolt Gyulay, President and General Director, Hungaroring, Mr. Balázs Medveczky, General Director, Hungarian television and Mr. Tamás Frank, Vice-President, Hungaroring, Ms. Ágnes Cserháti, spokesman lady, MTVA the Media Services and Support Trust Fund.

Mr. Tamás Frank spoke about the background of having these two cars on board. As he said, „Months before the race, most of the cars are pretty busy, that is understandable, yet the Hungarian organizers were able to get „within hours” two brands, the Renault and the Red Bull to port them over to the Budapest’s Press Conference.” Another „present” brought to the scene of the press conference was given to our eyes by Mr. Tamás Frank who brought his own collection of grand F1 racer’s helmets from the present and the past decades. Uploaded the snaps, see for yourself and go down the memory lane of the F1 family throughout the decades.

Congratulations to both sides. Well done! This is what I call a real co-operation.

Heard at the press conference, that each year there is always much speculation when it comes about the future of the grand prix due to the cost of hosting the race at the Hungaroring (Budapest),but in most countries this is the familiar question when it comes to organizing a hug sport event like this, but this year it will be present to see and have the feeling of a most probably watched broadcast event in the World. Yet, well-known the F1 brings a great impact to the business of tourism in each and every country where the engines raw high! The 2012 season will surely bring stronger competitor who are full year around the clock in training hard through the winter and summer (Downunder) to reach their goal.

Also have to keep in mind that the Formula 1 race is one of the sporty events where both men and women are highly enchanted by the mood, the excitement around the clock

Surely the year 2012 will be a great challenging sporty year with just mentioning a few of the roll ups to come. The Olympic Games, the European 2012 UEFA footy games and not to mention one of the World’s most followed, watched series of sport events, whereas the players and the teams make the headlines with their interesting and exciting series in the „raceland” of the Formula1. Circus.

As expected, today at the press conference the forthcoming broadcasting team was introduced.. The public television and the radio crew members will be:Mr. Gábor Réz, Editor, Mr. Dániel Mezei, Commentator, Mr. Gábor Wéber, Adviser long with the commentator, Mr. Zoltán Szujó, Riporter at the “Box Str.”, Ms. Adrienn Bende, Riporter on the spot, Ms. Emese Bera, representing the Radio.

Soon the Aussie’s will be out watching the “Grand Day” but before it comes the tests are already rolling along during the following dates and places: February, 7-10. in Jerez, February, 21-24 and March 1-4 in Barcelona.

The “first shot”, the “waving flag” will surely break the high engines sound as off they go to warm up the tracks at the Australian Grand Prix between March, 16-18 in Melbourne at the Albert Park.

Hungary’s F1 will be the 11^th senario the in line of this circus at the Hungaroring on July,27-29.

Get ready for the start!

Dates that should be marked in ya diary:

March, 16-18                    Australia –  Albert  Park

March, 23-25                   Malaysian – Sepang

April, 13-15                      Chinese – Shanghai

April, 20-22                     Bahrain – BIC

May, 11-13                        Spanish – Catalunya

May, 24-27                       Monaco – Monaco

June, 8-10                        Canadian –  Giles Villeneuve

June, 22-24                     European – Valencia

July, 6-8                            British -.Silverstone

July, 20-22                      German – Hockenheim

July, 27-29                       Hungarian – Hungaroring (Budapest)

Aug.31-Sept.2                  Belgium – Spa

Sept.,7-9                            Italian – Monza

Sept.,21-23                       Singapore – Singapore

October,5-7                      Japanese – Suzuka

October,12-14                  Korean – KIC

October,26-28                 Indian – Delhi

November,2-4                 Abu Dhabi Yas – Marina

November,16-18            USA – Austin

November,23-25           Brazilian – Interlagis

update and snap by Aggie Reiter

AFRICA’S LARGEST CHARITY ROAD RALLY RACE

SATURDAY, JANUARY, 14

8 A.M.

START : 56’s HEROES SQUARE – BUDAPEST

WHETHER YOU JUST A  VIEWER AND NOT A RACERS YOU SHOULD COME TO SEE THE START AND SAY HOWDY, WISH THE FOLKS GOOD LUCK!

THE RALLY’S MOTTO EXIST FROM THE BIRTH OF THE RALLY IN 2007.

ANYONE, WITH ANYTHING, BY ANY MEANS!

THIS YEAR IT WILL BE THE 7^TH RACE OF THE RALLY

BUDAPEST – BAMAKO 2012

Went to look around what’s up at the Budapest’s  Hotel Intercontinental, whereas a part of the participants of the Budapest – Bamako Rally race were rolling in and greeting each other upon their arrival to the lobby. From Seattle/Washington, the Team Bright Eyed (their mission is to build a permanent rural school in one of the world’s poorest countries)  were already in a jolly good mood for the coming  race and they greeted the Russian racers, the Finnish group and the German team, hovering in wearing their especially made, yellow color wind jackets with their own race’s logo. They can be seen through the slide show here.

Some background figures: 400 participants from 35 countries, distance will be a total of  9,000 kms. Travelling men and woman by car, engine, Quadra (this year for the 1^st. time), moped, rolling through the Saharan desert “roads”. It’s going to be a fight against time and distance. Throughout the years,the Rally had become the amateurs and professional adventurers of an annual racing pilgrim. It all started with the distance from Budapest to Dakar in 2007.

This is a game where all participants has to, must be prepared mentally with unexpected situations. The route cannot be considered as an easy Sunday drive down to the countryside. All the participants can face problems by rare exceptions, yet almost everyone on the way can be assisted within minutes. The competition, like in the previous year, is still not a matter of the race’s speed, just reaching the marked stations. The rally was still is a dangerous, adventure and most of all a competition of an exploratory tour.

Anyone can take it as a reality show, where everyone is behind “shut door” and within a minute they have to make decisions, i.e. whether they’ll stop to give a helping hand to the participants having problems with their vehicles, even though it may take time away from themsleves “as helper’s” to reach their goal, in their own day’s destination before the sun goes down.

For the first time the “finish line” won’t be drawn at Bamako. The race will end up in the capital of Guinea at Bissau, a real wilderness place. The scene is an almost entirely unknown, obscure small country in West Africa. The rally’s length is roughly the same distance  as to the previous year’s the  Bamako was..

This Rally also carries an important task, the responsibility to improve the lives of the people over there with charities and donations.  The Hungarian “Charity March” will be sending 4 ambulance vehicles to Bissau, including a fully equipped onset tactical vehicle. Guinea will surely mark the day when for the first time in their history the country will have  at least one fully equiped resuscitation ambulance. Mr. Tamás Welsz, Director of the Charity March, himself will be driving the vehicle to the scene.

And finally, to keep checking the tracks … here are some guidelines to follow the station points of Rally’s routes:

January, 14. Budapest-Verona

January, 15-17. Verona-Rissani

January, 18. Rissani-Tata

January, 19. Tata-Tatooine

January, 20. Tatooine-Echtoucan

January, 21. Echtoucan-Guerguarat

January, 22. Guerguarat-Bou Lanouar

January, 23. Bou Lanouar-B2 Beach

January, 24. B2 Beach-Boutilimit

January, 25. Boutilimit-Richard Toll

January, 26. Richard Toll-Velingara

January,27. Velingara-Niokolo Koba

January, 28. Niokolo Koba-Gabu

January, 29. Gabu-Bissau

update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

 THE MASTERCARD MOBILE PAYMENT

PRESS RELEASE TO ALL WHOM IT CONCERNS

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/consultations/docs/2012/cim/com_2011_941_en.pdf)

As a follow-up to my previous update „Introducing Mastercard Mobile Payment”, the European Commission has provided the Green Paper this subject.   This paper addresses specific aspects related to the functioning of the payments market for cards, e-payments  and  m-payments.

Below are the themes of the European Commission’s Green Paper

Table of contents:

• Current payments landscape and its shortfalls
• Core payment instruments … credit transfers and direct debits
• Payment cards
• Payments through the Internet (e-payments)
• Mobil payments (m-payments)
• Vision and Objectives
• The need to foster and accelerate market integration
• Market fragmentation, market access and market entry across borders
• Multilateral Inter-change Fees (MIFs)
• Cross-border acquiring
• Co-badging
• Separating card schemes and card payment processing
• Compliance with the SEPA cards Framework (SCF)
• Information  on the availability of funds
• Dependence on payment card transactions
• Transparent and cost-effective pricing of payment services for the consumers, retailers and other businesses
• Consumer – merchant relationship  – transparency
• Merchant payment service provider relationship
• Standardisation
• Card payments
• E- and m-payments
• Interoperability between service providers
• Interoperability in the domain of m-payments
• interoperability in the domain of e-payments
• Interoperability and competition
• Payments security
• Strategy implementation – Governance
• The Governance of the SEPA

All interested parties are invited to submit their views in response. Contributions should be sent to the below e-mail address to reach the Commission by the deadline date: April, 11. 2012. To: markt-sepa@ec.europa.eu

It is also important to stress, that the contributions will be published on the Internet. So important to read the specific privacy statement accompanying the Green Paper for information on how your personal data and contribution will be dealt with.

Update by Aggie Reiter