Budapest 9-1-2010

September 1, 2010
Budapest Hungary





This place is awesome especially now that the rain and wind has stopped we have a semi sunshiny day.

Breakfast at the Mercure Hotel located in the heart of downtown was a epicurian delight. Lots of right breads, flake croissants cheeses, ham and sausages filled trays. Cereal was that great granola with right thick milk.

We took a tour of Budapest and across the river to Buda Hungary. The tour was partially on the bus and part walking tour.

We learned a little about Attila the Hun. Mostly I remembered that he had 400 wives. That is a hand full.

On the top of the hill we walked right by the front door of their Prime Minister's home - like our white house. No Guards. No high fences. Our guide said that this man was elected by the people - therefore accessible to the people.


Hungarian language is not understood by many. It is based on mathematics and not similar at all to the romance or Slavic languages.

The tour guide showed us many eye-catching sights. Hungary is really a very nice place with an interesting history. We visited St. Stephens Basilica in Budapest close to our hotel. It was reconstructed from being dark and dank to the charmer it is today with rich red marble and gold adornments above all columns. It was truly magnificent. I'll add some photos once I have access to a computer for a longer time.

King Mathias Cathedral was being reconstructed also. The brightly colors tiles are made of pottery and add to the charm authentic to Hungarian type style.

Hungary was ravages by various evasions over 30 times over the past 50-60 years. We heard the animosity in the voice of our guide that she suffered as a child and her parents endured many times over. The Soviets killed over 2 million Hungarians from 1944 - 1989. Families belonged to the secret police. Their children are reaping the benefits of the graft that was passed so many years ago. When the German's left and the Russian's came in to help the Hungarians, the Hungarian Jews embraced the Communists (now called Socialists). There was a lot of money exchanged hands during the war for a variety of reasons. Over the years this money grew into an empire from many at the costs of freedom for the others. A small group of a few people have control of the economic banks, insurance companies and other business enterprises for years. Regular people are at the mercy of these folks even though this is a democracy. These powerful folks are untouchable according to our guide. There is a law passed recently that does not allow anything to be said about Jewish people or Hungarian citizens will be taken to prison. Soros is the guy who really has the power in the country though now. He lives in the US and a great friend of Obama - Yikes.!.

On a lighter note - Did you know that Funiculars were built to carry fat and heavy general to their palaces on top of the hill? They are pretty good for fat Americans also.

There is a question about the Lion statues around the community of Budapest. Youngsters climb up to see if they really have tongues. I peeked and didn't really see a tongue, but the bus was going pretty fast.

Another interesting tidbit from our guide is about Franz Liszt. He was quite a handsome man at the time and it is said he had over 1,000 lovers. Busy guy.

There are 2 million Hungarians living in Budapest. There are 700,000 Hungarians that live in Cleveland.

Afternoon of leisure included a walk through a two story enclosed market; crafts and food on the top floor, vegetable/fruit and meats on the first floor. I had the most delicious bean soup (butter beans) with a generous scoop of broth, potatoes and tomatoes on top. Stan had stuffed cabbage rolls, sauerkraut and meat chunks. Yummo.

We had an interesting dinner at a restaurant high on the hills of Budapest. The bus could barely make it around the hairpin turns on the one lane steep roads. We were greeted to some sweet wine in cute little porcelain jugs. A guy was cracking a whip in the air. Some of our group tried it, but not much whipping resulted.

We started off with Hungarian Goulash soup and then heaping platters of food including potatoes, garlic noodles, rice, vegetables and tons of meats, schnitzel prepared veal, chicken, roast pork. It was more then we could eat. Dessert was some kind of thinly layered cake topped with whip cream. Wow.!. We have enough food for two weeks instead of one.

The entertainment was the top of the evening. A dulcimer is piano type instrument with the keys missing. Two small mallets are used to hit each string and make the music. It is interesting when played with skill. A violin, viola and bass compliment the music. Then the dancer came out with such rapid dancing I thought my head would spin. Great time and good music.






One of these girls was such a joy to watch as she could dance with the fastest feet ever.






Itinerary - Seems we saw most of it

WED, SEPTEMBER 01 – BUDAPEST
Half-day tour of Budapest: Tour to include: Heroes Square, Millenary Monument, Vajdahunyad Castle, Andrássy Boulevard, State Opera House, Basilica – interior visit, Parliament-interiors, view from Gellért hill, Castle district, Matthias Church-interior visit, Fishermen's Bastion-interior visit, Margaret Island. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner with folklore at a local restaurant .The Courtyard House is 20 minutes from the heart of the city is on the top of the Hármashatár mountain, offers you perfect relaxation and unique experience. Here revives the peace and hospitality of the ancient noble manors. You can enjoy the silence of nature and can take delight in the magnificent panorama from the terrace. All the bridges of Budapest are visible from this very place. The Rosetrellis restaurant that has a full panorama.
Overnight in Budapest. ( B , D )