TAXI
My first impressions of Budapest did not start out well. First, the taxi drivers -- as in most Central European countries -- are crooks. When we stepped off of the train they all seemed so friendly to help with bags, but they were like hungry dogs as they waited for American passengers. They can spot us a mile away. We're in a new place, and are not sure of local currency and customs. Can you believe they wanted $100 for the 10-minute drive to the city? If we didn't have Henrietta to find a legitimate taxi (it even took her some time), we would have had to pony up or lug our oversized bags on public transport (metro, bus, tram, trolley). Those would've been the way to go if we packed light, because each of those modes of transport cost only 125 HUF ($0.55). TIP: To arrange a legitimate taxi, call City Taxi (tel. 36-1-211-1111) when you arrive, or have your hotel do it. They will send a driver. I hired City Taxi to pick up a friend at the airport. They charged only 4,500 HUF ($20) for the 20-30 minute ride. That's at least half what an airport taxi would charge -- and they even held up a sign at arrivals.

THE BRILLIANT SCAM
With the bad taste of the sleazy taxi drivers fresh in my mouth, I soon learned that was only an appetizer. A few hours later we got scammed badly. This brilliant ripoff was so good, it fooled even seasoned travelers. I feel foolish, because on paper I should've known better, and it could easily have been avoided if I just read the US Embassy's Budapest Advisory page. But looking at the bright side, this scam could've been a whole lot worse, and it taught me a valuable lesson. More importantly, it can be shared to save others. It's a long story, but fortunately my friend Matt wrote about his experience. His account is both accurate and funny. It can be found on this page. (The short version: Don't trust any girls who approach you -- and read the US Embassy Advisories before leaving home. For more click HERE.