First Smog Alert

Now, we are experiencing another first…a smog alert, which means driving restrictions in Budapest! Due to a natural gas shortage in Hungary (we get Russian gas from Ukraine, who says Hungary has some unpaid bills – so they cut us off), industrial users of that gas have switched to oil to maintain production levels. This has led to higher pollution levels, which led the mayor of Budapest to implement odd/even driving restrictions. In other words, cars with license plates ending in odd numbers are allowed to drive on odd-numbered days of the month, while even-numbered plates are allowed on even-numbered days. So, the gas crisis has led the 1.7 million residents of the entire city to restructure how they get around… at least every other day! Who says the Ukraine is weak?!!!!