We had a very merry New Year's celebration in Budapest. It was the first time my two brothers and I were together on New Year's Eve in probably more than 10 years. Kevin's December 31st birthday doubled the fun. Michael and I took him to lunch at Columbus Irish Pub, a cozy, wood-paneled etterem in a boat docked on the Danube. We ordered hearty, hot lunches and gulped beer with views from our booth of the Danube and Gellert Hill. The sun dipped lower, but we were determined to catch the last sunset of 2006. We drove up to Janos-hegy, stopping for a few cans of beer and a bottle of Jagermeister on the way. It was bitter cold at the Erzsebet lookout tower. Thick mist blanketed the valley below and the sunset burned a red band on the horizon. The moon was already high over the city. We toasted Kevin and 2006.

We joined up with Giff, Katy, James, Tara and John for Kevin's birthday dinner. Tara gave Kevin a red birthday hat. His cake had one big sparkler in it. We drank champagne and got ready for a night on the town. The tram into the city was crowded and rowdy. People smoked cigarettes, drank beer and talked loudly. We got off at Ulloi utca and headed to the West Balkan bar, where we stayed all night. There was a bonfire out back and drummers. I danced to drums last New Year's at Kripalu, a yoga retreat center in the Massachusetts Berkshire Mountains. I remember wishing I was with Michael. One year later and we were united in Budapest.

The drums intensified as midnight drew closer. We danced around the fire and screamed "Happy New Year!" We gave each other huge hugs and big kisses. It was incredible to be together.


Columbus Irish Pub



Happy Birthday, Kevin!



Erzsebet Kilato



Moon over Budapest



Mist





Tram ride to Ulloi utca



HAPPY NEW YEAR!
- James, me, Giff


- Kevin, Michael and I



- Katy and Giff



- Tara and James



- James, Tara and John




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN4Cvn8hr24