A Little Local Flavour # 2 - Zabka Shops in Poland

Anyone who's spent a significant amount of time in Poland will know the routine of heading out to do some shopping at the nearest 'Little Frog' ('Zabka' in Polish). These local shops have spread all across the country over the last ten years and can now be found in almost every town and city. They stock a normal range of convenience products, but the big selling point is that they are open from 6am until 11pm, making Zabka the perfect place to pick up some essentials late in the evening when most other shops have closed. In 2007 Zabka began to expand into the Czech Republic (though with a different logo and design, not the iconic green frog symbol) and there are already more than 100 of them throughout the country. Zabka also has plans to expand into Slovakia in the near future. Zabka means 'little frog' in both Czech and Slovak, so the name works well in these countries. In case you're wondering (I'm sure you are), the Zabka shop pictured here is down the street from the central train station in Krosno in south-eastern Poland.

A Little Local Flavour # 1 - Keleti Station, Budapest, Hungary

During the last ten years I've spent many an hour waiting to change trains in Budapest's cavernous Keleti station. Every time I'm in the station, the first place I head for is the platform with the Keleti chess players society. Without fail, there are always a number of intense games in progress, with the regulars eagerly engaged in matches against passengers while they wait for their trains. This goes on in the centre of the main hall of the station with noise, confusion and milling crowds all around them, yet it never seems to break their concentration. Most of the regular players are retirees who use the platform as their social meeting place, and they enjoy offering sage advice and commentary on the moves made by passengers as they play. A few years ago I had an hour to wait for a train to Pecs, so I agreed to play a game against one of the grizzled veterans. Predictably, I was thrashed in less than thirty minutes, despite the helpful advice of the onlookers. Have you ever noticed these players? Have a look the next time you are in the station, I'm sure they must be crowded around watching a match on the platform right now...