Budapest--One Last Time

Through out our time here in Hungary we have had a love-hate relationship with Budapest. We loved the city during our training session last August, but we have hated how confusing this city can be to a foreigner (especially in the winter). This last weekend we decided to visit the capital city one more time before we leave next month. We decided to tie up all the loose ends in this visit--the last minute places on our to-do list. 

Our apartment for the night.

The view from our balcony.

I often get mad when friends say they don’t want to visit Budapest because it’s not the first city they want to visit while in Europe. I say if you want to visit a big city in Europe, Budapest is a great place to start. Why visit the cliche places like Paris or Rome first? Sure they may be the most popular--but they have the overblown price tag to fit.

We stayed in a wonderful apartment in the center of the city for under $50 US dollars. You would be lucky to find the same deal in Paris or Rome especially now that it is the peak travel season. 

Stalin's boots.

Outside Memento Park.

Ben's new car.

Lies, injustice and the communist way.

The YMC twins.

You may think that Budapest is not historical or beautiful enough to fulfill your European destination desires---you would be wrong. The buildings in Budapest are not only grand in style (Parliament, Buda Castle, and Saint Stephen’s Basilica to name a few), but you can’t walk two feet without tripping over something historical too. Have you heard of the Hapsburg’s, Kossuth or Stalin? If not brush up on your history and you won’t be disappointed.

Then what about the people? Aren’t Hungarians reserved and unfriendly? Sure they can be shy at first (just a little palinka can fix this), but unfriendly--absolutely not. While riding the tram around Budapest we overheard many conversations with foreigners asking Hungarian’s for directions or advice and each time they were greeted with understanding and information. We didn’t even ask for help and someone seeing the brochure in our hand told us what stop we should get off at. If you compare Hungarians to Parisians you will lose every time. No offense to the French, but they are more difficult to crack a smile from than a opening a piece of escargot.

Red star.

Art showing the overthrow of communism. 

This guy was probably bad, but I think he's cute.

Ben doing his best salute.

 Ben pushing back.

He's no match for me!

Oh no, I have been converted! 

A quick lunch of chinese food.

We thought these illustrations were
entertaining.

Tram time.

Keep it classy Budapest.
This country loves Playboy--and now we have the proof.

Polish Fiat. Maybe my new car?

Our of site-seeing the first day included Memento Park, walking along the Danube River, and almost going into Parliament but tickets were sold out for the day. We walked to Margaret Island and had coffee in another park that I cannot remember the name of now. 

Saint Stephen's Basilica in the daytime. 

Upsetting another random child--classic.
No offense child, but I was here first.

Looking down at Saint Stephen's Basilica. 

Parliament.

1956 memorial. 

Ben on a bridge.

This guy is an American General. 

View from our quick coffee in the park.

Water fountain on the island is choreographed to music.

View from the island.

We ate dinner at the Dunacorso Restaurant--the same one we ate at our first official CETP dinner. The restaurant may not have the best service, but the atmosphere is what brought us back. The view of Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge in the distance help add to the charm, while a ‘gypsy band’ plays lively music in the background. Ben had the paprika chicken and dumplings and I had the stuffed cabbage. We shared a gundel palacsinta filled with nuts and chocolate sauce for dessert.

Hungarian dishes remind me of simple, home-cooked meals your grandmother might make when you are visiting (You can almost hear her saying through the food--- ‘let’s put some meat on your bones you are too skinny’). The dishes have no pretensions of being anything other than what they appear to be--it is the food of the people. You can imagine after a hard days work coming home to one of these hearty meals. Hungary has a meat and potatoes mentality when it comes to food-- you could call it the “comfort food diet.” So when you are visiting don’t plan on losing weight, put your diet on hiatus and enjoy. 

Paprika chicken and dumplings.

Stuffed Cabbage.

Ben being goofy.

Our view from the restaurant.

Dessert is finom!

The evening ended with us walking along the Chain Bridge and around Saint Stephen’s Basilica. It was strange and comforting to think how we have come full circle. In the beginning everything in Hungary was new, scary and intimidating. Now we are weathered travelers on the lookout for our next big adventure. 

Chain Bridge.

Enjoying the night.

Buda Castle

Saint Stephen's Basilica.