budapest

We decided a followup for amsterdam would be a trip to budapest, where a good friend was going to show us around. We were greeted at the train station by a drunk and happy Brad, who promptly showed us the (infamous?) Morrison bar where our sober state was arrested with beer, tequila shots, drunken self portraits, and open karaoke - mostly just yelling out the songs in the crowd. It was quite a welcome, and we appreciated it!




Brad was offering to show us around, but not after some fine breakfast and lemonade! Not to mention the dessert component, which I didn't know but was apparently a common hungarian dish. What I thought might be chocolate and cream was in fact (a lot of) poppy seeds and... I don't know what the creamy stuff was. I didn't like it, although Grace and Brad kept pushing me to finish it. Sad face. 


Then started our walkabout! We headed over to St. Stephen's Basilica, which is a cathedral dedicated to the first king of Hungary, also a tomb to his severed right hand. Unfortunately we didn't get to see it. The staff here were a bit weird, trying to force us to make donations to enter. We came later, when it wasn't so busy.



We climbed the 364 steps to what we learn later is the 3rd highest point in Hungary! It was quite a climb, but the view of Budapest was pretty good.



Although the heat was getting to grace. Did I mention it was really hot?



The architecture walking around Budapest was very interesting, given that it is mostly huge and awesome, but old and falling down at the same time -a view that can be seen in most of the streets surrounding the basilica around the side of Pest.


We stumbled upon a statue of Ronald Reagan, who was deposited here in Freedom Square near the US embassy. He is remembered here for his support in anti-communist movements, and ending the cold war, which Hungary benefited greatly by regaining its sovereignty.


Bullet holes marking a revolution in 1956 against russian occupation! The bluntness of the reminder is very sobering.


We were able to walk around the Hungarian Parliament Building on the riverside on half a walkway between the river and a highway... spooky, nice route Brad! It is one of Europe's oldest legislative buildings and the largest building in hungary!


This was part of the Shoes on the Danube Promenade - a holocaust memorial. There is a row of iron shoes sculptures here. After removing their shoes here, many Jews were shot and pushed into the river to die. They were brought here during the second world war by members of the Hungarian Arrow Cross party, a pro-German extremist movement.



We treked up to the Castle district in Buda, which is mainly a few large buildings and a great view.






Brad had fun showing us his favourite restaurants and bars, and eating the food obviously!


We had a relaxing "beers in the park" time on the very pretty Margaret Island, which is neatly separated from the city by being a large island in the river. It is where sporty weekendy things happen, and for us - Frisbee and very salty corn snacks.



Heroes Square commemorates various heroes of Hungary, which is dedicated "To the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of our people and our national independence". Underneath it runs the Millennium Underground, which is the worlds second oldest underground metro system! (first being the London Underground, but the Millennium is still in old style!) A large square, many statues... perfect for jumping photos!





There is a confusing castle in Budapest which was originally just for display - literally made from cardboard and wood - but was then rebuilt using, well, real materials. It's called the Vajdahunyad Castle, and it is supposedly a copy of a Vajdahunyad Castle in Transylvania, but this one is created in various architectural styles, depicting different styles in the history of Hungary. It seemed strange and odd at first, but walking through the garden and courtyard was very interesting!  






Ahhh, and then to end the week long stay, the thermal baths. So relaxing, even in the heat of the day - we spent hours here.



It was a relaxing week. I didn't mention all of the games of Catan which we played in the evenings, not to mention that time when I won. But I felt Budapest was a real contrast to the places we had seen previously (or maybe just Belgium!), and it was great of Brad to have us while we were there!

No comments:

Post a Comment