Posts From Hungary

While one would not describe Budapest (or at least the little we have seen of it), as neat, clean, well maintained and modern, it is never the less - IMHO - a spectacular city. The Citadel and Castle on the Buda side look down across the Danube River to the flatter but more intensively built Pest. All around us there are spectacular old buildings that speak to an incredibly wealthy past. And we have a small newly renovated apartment in an old and quaint 19th century apartment block right in the middle of the action in Pest almost directly on top of Astoria subway station. Also right next to a very famous (though until now unknown to us) Synagogue. Thats what the domes are in the photo of our apartment block. The weather cooperated and we had our first taste of real summer while in Budapest with the combination of sun and open top buses allowing us to do a bit of work on our tan.

We arrived at Budapests Kerepesi station a bit past at 9:00 and were delighted to discover that our hotel was literally a 5 minute walk across the road. The plan was to have breakfast at the hotel, leave our luggage there and start the days tour activities. However by the time breakfast was over Nina's head was spinning and we were unable to join the group but rather pleaded with the hotel staff for a room so she could sleep until her "turn" had passed.

Today was a bit of a nostalgic day as Nina set off before 9:00 this morning to visit Vajdahunyad Castle and Heroes Square. These were places we visited and remarked on when we previously visited Budapest. Along the way she found a revamped City Park and the Ethnography Museum.