Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being an elevator operator in Halásztelek is like riding a rollercoaster, but without the safety harness. So, I roll into work, right? It’s a sunny morning, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I’m stationed at the building on Kossuth Lajos utca. You know, the one with the weird statue of that guy no one can name? Yeah, that one. So, I’m just minding my own business, pressing buttons like a pro, when this lady storms in. She’s got a coffee in one hand and a baby in the other. I mean, c’mon! Can’t you just pick one?
She’s all frantic, like she’s late for a meeting or something. “Up to the fifth floor, please!” she yells. I’m like, “Lady, chill! I’m not a rocket ship.” But I hit the button, and we’re off. Halfway up, the elevator stops. Just stops! I’m sweating bullets. “Great, just great,” I think. “I’m gonna be the guy who trapped a mom and her baby in an elevator.”
So, I’m pressing buttons like a madman, and finally, it starts moving again. We get to the fifth floor, and she bolts outta there like she’s escaping a fire. I’m just standing there, heart racing, thinking, “What just happened?”
Next up, I get this old dude on the second floor. He’s got a cane and a hat that looks like it’s from the 1800s. He’s all, “Young man, do you know the history of Halásztelek?” I’m like, “Uh, sure, it’s a nice place?” He starts rambling about the old fishing village and how it’s changed. I’m nodding, but inside, I’m like, “Dude, I just wanna get you to the third floor.”
Then, outta nowhere, the power goes out! I’m stuck in the dark with this guy. It’s pitch black, and I can hear him mumbling about the good ol’ days. I’m thinking, “This is it. I’m gonna die in an elevator with a history lesson.” But then, the lights flicker back on, and I’m like, “Phew!”
After that, I get a group of teenagers. They’re blasting music on their phones, and I’m just trying to keep my cool. They’re laughing, taking selfies, and I’m like, “Guys, this is an elevator, not a nightclub!” But hey, at least they’re not screaming like the lady earlier.
Finally, I get a break. I step outside for a breather on Széchenyi utca. The sun’s shining, and I see the park nearby. It’s got those cute little ducks waddling around. I’m thinkin’, “Man, I could use a duck in my life.” Just chillin’ by the pond, watching the world go by.
But then, I hear this loud crash. I turn around, and it’s a delivery truck that just backed into a lamppost. I’m like, “Seriously? Can’t a guy catch a break?” The driver hops out, looking all flustered, and I’m just standing there, shaking my head.
Back to work, and it’s a steady stream of people. I’m getting the hang of it again when this guy walks in with a huge pizza box. I’m talkin’ a pizza that could feed a small army. He’s like, “Going to the top floor!” I’m thinking, “Dude, you’re gonna need a bigger elevator.”
As the day drags on, I’m exhausted. I’ve seen it all: happy faces, angry faces, and even a couple of confused ones. But you know what? That’s Halásztelek for ya. It’s a mix of everything.
By the end of my shift, I’m ready to collapse. I step outside, and the sunset is gorgeous. I’m standing there, thinking about how wild today was. I love this city, with its quirks and characters. It’s chaotic, but it’s home.
So, yeah, that was my day. Just another crazy ride in the elevator of life.