A friend of mine is currently in Budapest after having been in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldavia. He said the pall of the iron curtain still hangs over Bucharest, Romania - the people are bitter and hate their government thieves but feel they can do nothing. His word for the city - grim.
But Hungary is totally different - vibrant, happy, busy. The photos of Budapest are wonderful - all this time I had no idea how beautiful it is. The citizens there are very friendly.
Yes the Hungarians are some really great people. Met quite a few when passing through Taszár airbase.