Day 13 - August 7

Today is our last day in Budapest... I have some random photos of items that interested me... first... the more modern air-conditioned trams...

 

Then the horrible graffiti inflicted on the interior of a bus...

 

This is a delicacy... beef bone marrow in broth...

... and finally, a case full of decadent pastries and gelatos...

 

 

 

These bakeries are all over the city... tough to pass up these delicacies.

We finished packing tonight and had dinner with my sister and her family... they celebrated 37 years of wedded bliss!!! It must an early night since we have to get up around 5:30AM to fly home. It has been a wonderful vacation... enjoying Hungarian foods, exploring one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and visiting relatives I've not seen in 20 years, apending time with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew... and all this with my wonderful husband! Viszont latasra...

Day 12 - August 6th

Today was a pretty casual day... I began the day at a paper store where I picked up some interesting paper which I'll use in my paper crafting. Then I went to the market to pick up some peppers and a couple of pastries but the salamis, bacon and sausages got my attention...

Later, as we walked through the streets we came across a tattoo establishment. Below is what they advertised. Many people have photos of their spouse or children tattood on their bodies. I suspect it would be a lot less expensive and far less painful to just carry photos of the family! lol

We then sat down to consume ice cream cones and I saw this... so old world and eye catching with the beautiful flowers...

... as evening approached the following caught my eye... a stencil pattern on a wall and a candle in a red votive holder at a restaurant.

Our wonderful vacation is quickly coming to a close. 14 days will have been been perfect for this trip... not too short and not too long. Jim and I definitely went at our own pace which is very different from our tour to Italy 2 years ago... but there we visited many cities... in Budapest we had one home base. Both types of trips have their pros and cons.

We continue to watch the Olympics... commentators speak Hungarian which I have difficulty understanding as they speak bery quickly! Hungary has done very well with wining medals. The athletes have really come up in the world!

Day 11 - August 5

Today was a day of rest. The heat was quite high again and we decided to join my sister, brother-in-law, their son and his friend at the Palatinusz swimming pool on Margit Sziget (Margaret Island). The island is situated in the middle of the Danube River. It is a favorite spot for family weekend outings as it is beautiful. Lots of trees, theaters (the kind with a stage) athletic fields and playgrounds.

The Palatinusz swimming facility is really a water park...

...and offers pools that are warm for a spa effect, shallow pools for little children...

and pools for adults to completely relax...

This was a most pleasant afternoon. As usual Jim and I took the hard way in to the pool... we walked. Once there we discovered that we could have hopped on a bus which would have dropped us right in front. But, we learn quickly and hopped the bus to take us out to the entrance of the island! We had the pleasure to take our nephew, Krisztian and his friend Oliver to dinner this evening... it was a wonderful opprtunity to chat with both and become reacquainted since Krisztian and his bride moved to Montana last year.

 

Day 10 - August 4

Today is Erin's birthday! In this age of wonderful technology we were able to have a FaceTime session to wish her Happy Birthday. Earlier in the day Edina, Gabor, Jim and I toasted Erin on her special day...

In Hungary we hired a driver to drive my sister, brother-in-law, Jim and me to my birthplace... Felsonyaregyhaza, Hungary. Our driver was one we hired because he was recommended in Steve Ricks' BUDAPEST Guide book. He proved to be very kind and even provided cold water for his travelers. With Gabor's help, he is our awesome brother-in-law, we found my grandparents grave. We we very surprised that it was cleaned up and in very good condition. Apparently the cemetery was to have been moved. it the local church intervened and has taken over responsibility for the cemetery. It will now stay but can only be used now for burial of people who currently live in Felsonyaregyhaza.

We were not so lucky with seeing the house in which I was born. Apparently it is no longer used as a preschool and is currently guarded by four nasty dogs behind a gate... the fate of the house is unknown.

On the way back from Felsonyaregyhaza we stopped at the Echeri Market. It is the largest and most popular flea market in Budapest. People obtain the most amazing home decorations at this market. I never did learn what this contraption is...

But here is a glimpse of the market... you just need patience to find that 'special' something!

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and then went to dinner at the Duna Corso Restaurant with my sister and brother-in-law. We watched the sunset and the beauty of Budapest shine as the lights of the city came on.

Good night all!

Day 9 - August 3rd

We have been taking full advantage of the Hungarian public transportation system. We've ridden the villamos (streetcar) the most, the bus and the Metro system. Today was no exception... we rode a train from Budapest to Szentendre. The best part is that we purchased discount tickets which are good for a week. Unless an official asks, one does not even have to take the ticket out of one's wallet. However, if you get caught riding any mode of transport without a valid ticket of some sort you are fined 16000,00 Forints or about $68 on the spot. We've not figured out what happens if you do not happen to have this amount of money with you. The penalty signs are all over the modes of transport. DC could really learn a lot from this system. We have seldom waited more than 3-4 minutes at any station. At Szentendre (St. Andrew) we walked, shopped, ate, drank and took photos for about 4 hours. It is is picturesque town...

... with many outdoor little restaurants, small shops and museums contains the work of artists of all kinds...

...as well as all kinds of interesting alleys.

The restaurants offered all kinds of fare including one where they make everything in front of you! Take a gander at those awesome sausages!

The artistry of the locals was evident even in some restaurants where the walls were covered with relief work as below. This is actually a depiction of the town itself.

At this restaurant They offered a pink lemonade which Jim loves... but what he actually got is...

Jim was not impressed with all the seeds and mint leaves. At least it was somewhat cold. After a very hot and tiring day it was time to freshen up as the locals do... by walking in a fountain in my FitFlops! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Tomorrow we are headed to the town and house of my birth, Nyaregyhaza, with my sister and brother-in-law. Fortunately Gabor recalls where the house is located. I recall seeing this house as a teenager.. but have no clue how to find it. Sine we did not make arrangements for a car in the US we learned it was better and less expensive to hire a driver. We will meet him at 10AM.

It is also Erin's birthday tomorrow... Happy Birthday xoxoxo xox!

 

Day 8 - August 2nd

Agter hearing from our niece and nephew What a wonderful experience they had at the Budapest Zoo we headed there today. It turned out to be an incredibly hot day again but the zoo has a lot of foliage so were able to stay somewhat comfortable. We saw some animals we had never seen before...

Unfortunately the signage was in Hungarian only and sometimes there was none! Nonetheless, it was amazing how close we were able to get to the animals! I actually fed a camel!

Later in the afternoon my cousin and I went to see the Museum of applied Arts to se an exhibit on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

 

I did not know that Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, was so instrumental in bringing the world of Art and Design to the world! He worked with Henry Cole to create the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London. The aim was to educate manufacturers and to grow the influence of science and arts in industry. The exhibit included historical pieces from all over the world up to and including the Dyson fan which has no blades! You have probably seen these fans for sale at Costco. Well, it is also a part of the exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Photographs were not allowed of the exhibit But I managed a photo of a stained glass... without flash. The other photos are of the building in which the exhibit is housed and some more art deco design and tile work. Tomorrow we're headed out of Budapest to Szentendre... a town full of artists and a lot of charm.

 

Day 7 - August 1

After a leisurely morning Jim and I headed to St. Istvan's Basilica since we we unable to see the interior yesterday due to a concert. On the way we stopped at Gresham Palace which has been turned into a Four Seasons Hotel. The building was renovated and reopened in 2004. It has some incredible Art Deco design elements...

Adter a tour of the lobby we left to go to St. Istvan's Basilica. After a disappointing visit to another famous church in Budapest a couple of days ago... (or was that yesterday???? lol) we were definitely not disappointed with St. Istvan's. The beauty truly rivaled St. Peter's Basilica in Rome... just not as big.

Then, as usual, I was taken by the beautiful stained glass windows...

But, the most unusual thing was the case in which was the actual right hand of St. Istvan (Stephen) himself. He was the first king of Hungary and was responsible for bringing Christianity to the Magyar people. Most churches have an image of Christ at the altar... St. Stephen's Basilica has an image of St. Istvan on the altar.

This afternoon we visited with another cousin and 4 of her 9 children! It, too, was a wonderful reunion.