prostopepper

Crisis has already hit Hungarian banks. Maybe, this is mere speculation and just play of circumstances, but let me tell you my story. This evening I came home from work at 9-30, I just needed to finish something, as tomorrow a whole day training was planned with no possibility to perform our routine tasks. At my workplace I was kindly ask to bring in cash the excess of my salary that apparently was transferred to my bank account in double size. Well, as it was not a present, and, moreover, the excess money should have been delivered to the office already today, I had no other choice but withdraw it tonight. Otherwise one of my managers 'would get angry'. 
Just a short remark: the money was transferred on Friday, and I left then for Vienna and the whole weekend I was outside Hungary. Monday was totally wet, as it was raining for the whole day and especially heavy showers or something alike were in the evening. No possibility, no wish to go anywhere to get the cash. Today was totally cold day (-8) and it was quite windy.
Such a weather is still better than rain, and I really had no choice, as the money must have been delivered the following day to the office. So, I took my bike and went to the nearest branch of my 'triple arch bank'. They do not need additional advertisement here. I saw this branch on the way home. Here we go.

1. Blaha Lujza tér. After examining the building where the branch is I have not found any sign of ATM. Well, nice try. I go the next one.

2. Oktogon. My favourite branch because I used to withdraw there as I lived quite near. I was hoping to get the sum there and go home, as it was really cold. When I entered the needed sum - surprise-surprise - the ATM did not have enough money to satisfy my interest. Well, I tried with a smaller sum. No success. As I knew another ATM, which is quite far away though, I hoped I could try my luck there. So, I got on my bike and left for the new destination.

3. Zsinagoga. Well, as this is a sacral Jewish place, I must have luck and withdraw some cash. I just felt that. Unfortunately, the needed sum was not available at this ATM (again!), but I managed to withdraw 2/3 of the needed sum in two installments. After the third try the ATM sighed: "I cannot make this transaction. Not enough cash". Sorry for it. I have got 2/3. But as I also need to pay the rent for my flat, I needed to withdraw a bit more. So, taking into account this additional expense, for the moment I had a half of the sum. Let us say: I need to bring 3 apples to my work, and one more apple would be great to have to pay for the room I rent. Out of all the possible apples I have got only 2. At this pooint I have only 2 more to go. As I had no idea where to go to search for further ATM of my bank, I decided to go to Vaci ut. The fashion street with some banks. The central bank was rather far, and Vaci was just in 200 meters. 

4. Ferenciek tere. Vaci u. had some banks. Actually, it and parallel streets had majority of banks one can find in Hungary, but not mine. Damn it. So, I recollected that there should be a branch of my bank somewhere at Ferenciek tere, so I searched there. And luckily I found one. As usual, it declined to give me the needed sum (2 apples, remember?), so I asked for something smaller, like 1 apple. Still, no success. Then I have made my mind to go to the central office of my bank. It's far, but there must be an ATM full with cash 24h long.
I was thinking that maybe for the sake of security bank personnel takes out all the cash for the night time, but what about those who may need to withdraw a bigger sum at night time - either for another round of drinks or to get to hospital because of some accident? I hope other banks have their ATM full of cash. I have not checked that.

5. Somewhere close to Ferenciek tere. On my way to the headoffice of my bank I discovered another branch that looked quite impressive. It must have had something. So, I entered, asked first for 2 apples, then for 1... Surprise-surprise, the same story - not enough cash. After I was about to leave, a thought came across my mind that I can withdraw a smaller sum from this ATM and then a smaller sum from the next one... And after some time and series of ATMs I will collect the needed amount. So, I came back to this branch and tried to get half an apple. Nice try. I t did not even have this amount.

6. Szabadsag tér. It was not easy to get there. It was quite cold and the road was quite long, but I still managed to get close to the Parliament. And that was the mistake. I should have gone via any other street that is not so close to the Danube, as the wind there was so strong that going by bike became impossible at some point, as the wind was blowing in my direction. The bike seemed to stuck in sand, so hard it was to go by it. I just walked, which turned out to be an uneasy task too. Budapest is a very windy city, and the wind here is quite strong. E.g., if it rains and the strong wind blows just for a minute, this is enough for a person to get totally wet. Till the bones. 
So, here we are, destination Calabria... The final point, hopefully. Yes, my dreams came true, as the central office of my bank has 2 (!) ATMs!!! I happily withdrew the rest of the needed sum (2 apples) and was about to go, but thought that it would be good to have 1/4 of an apple just for peanuts as I put it. The ATM had different opinion and it did not hesitate to show me a cheerful message 'You have exhausted the possible amount you can withdraw for today'. Nice. 

At last I have got what I needed + a nice ride and training in a windy and cold Budapest night. The conclusion is: crisis or whatever it can be (bank policy and security measures) makes you healthier.

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