I got to the venue at the Sports Hall at 12 midday.
There was already a group of Italian people waiting so I joined them.
As the time approached 4 p.m. the stupid guards started building a fence and they changed the final entrance twice.
I was really pissed because I have been waiting for such a long time and then the entrance was changed.
The doors opened after 5 p.m.
They checked EACH bag.
Our water bottles were thrown away. Also we were not allowed to bring apples or anything inside the hall. Of course, no cameras were allowed.
Then it was my turn to be checked. I threw away my waterbottle but I had my camera with me.
The guy said "no fotomacchina" (he thought I was Italian) and pushed me aside. I asked him if there was a place where I could store my things but he said I should leave it in the car. I said I had no car so he said I should leave it in the bus. Very funny.
I started begging until finally he said "You're all right" and he let me in -with my camera.
I was so angry. So many people got in before me and just because of this damn guard.
But nevertheless, I got a good position -second row, right behind my friend.

The first band, the "Bambi Molesters", started playing past 7 p.m. Then there came another Slovenian band which was like an "old men band". They played too long.
Everybody was really hungry to see R.E.M. but those guys kept playing song after song. Finally they left the stage.
No light.
Someone was crawing up the ladder and checking the lights.
Light was still not OK (in my opinion) when the sounds of "Airportman" filled the hall.
The crowd went wild.
I got ellbows stabbed inside of my body but I was a good fighter.

R.E.M. started rockin' with Lotus, like they did on every other show.
My personal highlights were probably "The One I Love" and definitely "Wake Up, Bomb" where Michael was standing right in front of me, we had eye contact and we were screaming out the words of the song together.

The show was over. We were exhausted, very wet, caused by the water we were sprayed at and sweat, happy, but also sad because that should be the last time we would see the band for a long time (it was their last show in Europe).
We tried to catch the guys backstage but the guard told us they had already left.
Of course he told us that but it wasn't true, as we found out later. But they wouldn't give autographs anyway. They left in a hurry. Too bad, since we've planned to go nightswimming in the sea with them...

Read about the Budapest show