in this issue:

1, budaveg news and highlights of the year
2, contact us on skype!
3, upcoming attractions
4, A day trip featured: Dobogókõ
5, Venue featured: A38
6, useful links

1, budaveg news and highlights of the year
Dear Friends,
hope this years first issue of our irregular newsletter finds you in the best health and mood. We had a very busy year so far with many lovely guests visiting Budapest and staying in the budaveg apartment. I have been very lazy regarding updates and the newsletter, I was far too focused on the guests and my regular guiding job, and I am still no computer wizard. Luckily James from Liverpool joined the budaveg team this year and he is taking care of pick ups and sometimes admin too. This means that we will have more time and energy to write real content filled newsletters to the budaveg friends.
With James we got a Renault Kangoo as a fringe benefit, so budaveg now has a big family car for pick ups and guided tours - no more squeezing into my small Peugeot!
We have also had broadband internet installed in the flat so you can surf the net for free while staying with us. You can either bring your own laptop or use an old battered pentium 1 pc at the flat.
The British Vegan Magazine interviewed us in August and there is an article about budaveg in the Autumn issue, which we have uploaded to the Budaveg site.
The third, silent member of budaveg is also enjoying some media attention; the Hungarian international dog magazine just interviewed Oliver and us as they are running a feature on vegetarian dogs. Apparently he is not the only one in Hungary ;) The two-page feature appeared in the November issue, and we are eager to hear the readers' reaction.
We also joined the VIVA! supporters scheme, so we can give 5% discount to VIVA! card holders.
Since during October we had many returning guests, which we really appreciate, we decided to upgrade the returning guest discount. So from now on every time you come again to budaveg you get a further 5% off the price, so if you return for the 3rd time you get 15% off your stay. By the time you reach 50% off you are probably already a family member and stay for free anyway...
winter special offer
book at least 3 nights this winter and you get a free pickup, book a week and you get a free pick up and guided tour!

3, upcoming attractions
Sport:
After a beautiful and sunny autumn the winter is here time to skate in one of the most beautiful open air rinks of the world. The ice rink at the city park is still very cheap (600 hufs/2,5€ for a half day) and they rent skates.
Music:
A tribute to the 70 year old Steve Reich. A concert by the amazing percussion band Amadinda featuring Steve Riech too. At MUPA(palace of arts) 6 December 7.30 pm. We'll be there.__ - - The state Opera House has a lovely program featuring Puccini, Verdi and Mozart and of course the obligatory Nutcracker and Magic Flute before Christmas. For information and tickets visit:
http://www.jegymester.hu/eventtime.jsp?place=3&lang=ENG
Unfortunately the pop singer Shakira was only veggie for a few months, she plays 5th March at the Budapest sport arena.
Museums:
Budapest Museum of Fine Arts: Geniuses and Masterpieces VI. Caravaggio, Lucas Cranach the Elder 12 October-30 November. Vincent Van Gogh exhibition from the 2nd December-20th March
Shopping:
Budapest Christmas Market November 24, 2006 - December 31, 2006
Folk and applied artists sell their wares made mainly of natural materials in Vörösmarty Square. There are also quality programmes and a giant Advent Calendar.

4, A day trip featured: Dobogókõ.
North west of Budapest, in the heart of the Pilis Mountains towers the 700 meter high Dobogókõ which means "beating rock". The majority of the Pilis mountains are protected they are a part of the Danube Ipoly National Park and many people go there for hiking, birding and mountain biking. As a child I went there hiking frequently with my family and always wondered about the curious name of that mountain. It was only recently that a friend pointed out that it is the heart chakra of the Earth and then I understood the mystical name and atmosphere of the area. No wonder that two religious retreats and a shaolin kung fu centre are there and it is a popular place to meditate. At the top there is a magnificent view of the mountains and river Danube. You can get there by taking the suburban railway (HÉV) from Margit Híd to Pomáz and then by coach from Pomáz to Dobogókõ. You can make a nice hike down to the River Danube and visit historic towns like Visegrád and Szentendre.