Sunday, April 26, 2009

Traveler's Big Day Out... (Again!)

Up bright and early again, another busy and history filled day ahead!
This is the Vienna Gate in Obuda. This gate, which was in the walls of the Buda Castle fortress, guarded the road to Vienna.
From up on top of the Gate, you can see the ancient walls.

Next stop, Margaret Island. Margaret Island is in the middle of the Danube, not far from Obuda. It's a beautiful green park now. We decided to explore on bikes. This is a two seater bike that Jill, Sally and I shared.

We headed off down the road...

It is so green and beautiful here!

Here are some ruins of a 13th Convent. This was the home to Saint Margaret (1242-1270), for whom the island is named. Her father, King Bela IV, placed her into the convent at the age of Nine. She lived here until her death.
Shet must have been sad to live here even though it is so beautiful and peaceful now.

For more history, we headed to Aquinicum, the ancient Roman Settlement from 1 A.D. Aquinicum (in what is now Budapest) was at the north-east frontier of the Empire.

Look at the ancient foundations!

They had shops, homes, baths- everything you would need to live. An estimated 50,000 people lived in this settlement.

Sally and I explored together...

I stopped for a short break to munch on a dandilion...


Later in the afternoon, Tony and I sat on a terrace for a beer. Tony sketched the city below while I danced to some traditional Hungarian music.

What a great day, I love Budapest!











Saturday, April 25, 2009

Traveler at the Dohany Street Synagogue in Budapest 4/24/09

Today was another busy day.
First off we went to the Dohany Street Synagogue. This is the second largest Synagogue in the world, the largest in Europe. It was part of the Jewish Ghetto during 1944. It is huge and absolutely beautiful.

During WWII, the Nazis used this Synagogue as a stable for their horses and offices. Because they used it throughout the war, the Germans did not destroy it, like they did to many other Synagogues across Europe.

It really is an amazing place and it was an honor for me to visit it.

Years ago Tony created a foundation in his father's name to help restore the Synagogue. Tony's Foundation helped to create this incredible monument to the lives lost in the Holocost. It is a silver tree, the names of those who were lost are engraved on silver leaves. They were refurbashing it at the time of our visit, so the leaves were wrapped up for protection. When they are loose, they make a beautiful twinkling sound in the breeze.

Years ago, Tony had plaques set in the monument in honor of his Father who was born in Hungary. It was so moving to see TC re-reading the plaques. We took rubbings of them to take home in a frame.

This is the Jewish Cemetary on the grounds of the Synagogue. There are over 2,000 people buried here in mass graves. They all died in the Jewish Ghetto. It so peaceful now that it is hard to imagine all of the suffering that went on here.


If you are ever in Budapest, please do take some time to check out this beautiful place. I am glad I did.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Traveler's Long and Busy day in Budapest

My girls kept me moving all day, I never even got a chance to sit down and relax! But, there is so much to see here in Hungary...

This is The Lion's Gate at the Buda Castle complex.

The lions are scary and I was a little bit afraid to go through the gate...

This is an old Medieval Chamber down below the Budapest History Museum, also part of Buda Castle. I love this old stuff, I always wonder what it must have been like to live in those days...

This is an old fragment of a rug that dates back to the Magyar invasion in the year 896.

As always, I wanted to get into the culture of the place I am visiting, so I got this wonderful new Hungarian costume. I wanted something more along the lines of a Cossack or Hun outfit, but the girls thought I would look cute in this. I do have to agree with them...

I do look festive!


Sally got to wear another cool hat, but, sadly, they did not have my size...

These are the ancient walls of a Dominican church and Jesuit Monastary from the year 1254! Our hotel is built around these ruins and I can look at them while I eat breakie...

Here is part of the facade of our hotel.It depicts King Matyas.

This is Lord's Street in Odbuda (Old Buda). Merchants who catered to the Royal Court had shops on this street...

The girls took me into a place called the Labyrinth on Lord's Street. It looked kind of fun from the outside...

But, I began to get a little bit scared as we went down...

It's so dark down here! These are natural and man made caves below the castle area which were used through the centuries. I think it is haunted.

This is a statue of a horse who was carved out of a rocky outcrop.

Here is a freaky fountain that dispenses fake wine for some reason way underground. I was very afraid and asked the girls to get me out of here. They were all to happy to oblige- I think they were afraid also...

So, to calm down, we checked out the Szechenyi Baths. It's a neat old building.

The ceiling was so cooll! Hey, there are horses up there!

This is my favorite fountain- look at the little cherub, he is peeing water! Jill tried to shield my eyes, but I still saw it!

We stopped by the counter to try the water- it is supposed to be super good for you and heal arthritis, digestive problems, etc...

But, it smelled like rotton eggs! I did drink some and felt pretty good afterwards...

On the way home we stopped at Heroes' Square which was built in 1896. It is a wonderful example of National Hungarian Pride. This is the Tomb of the Unknown.

I LOVED the horse statues! They were so well made that I spent a long time looking at them. They looked so life like. Everyone waited in the car when the girls and I looked around. You know us crazy horse people!

The statues were of Hungarian Knights- I love this horse's bridle. It is made out of deer antlers. I would look fabulous in something like that!

Hi Guys!

They looked at me but didn't speak.

Even though I love Hungarian Goulash, I did talk everyone in to stopping at McDonalds. It tasted sort of like the ones back in the states...
That evening we went to the American Ambassador's Residence for a reception for Tony. I watched from the back as they presented him with a letter thanking him for his support of both the United States and the Republic of Hungary. Did you know that Tony is a "Knight of the Republic of Hungary"?

Later I spent time with some Air Force members who are stationed at the Embassy. Thanks for supporting the United States guys!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Traveler at the Hungarian Parliment

I visited the Hungarian Parliment building today...

I walked the halls of power...

Sat in for a meeting that no one else showed up for. Sigh...

Then went into the Conference Hall to vote on something, anything- but no one was there... Who is running this place anyway?

So, I did some sight seeing. These beuatiful stained glass windows were removed during WWII and stored in the basement for safe keeping...

I wandered into Saint Stephen's Basilica. Here is the Crown of Saint Stephen, part of which dates from the year 1000! All of the Kings of Hungary were crowned with this very crown! For those of you who do not study History as much as I do , in 1945 the crown was put into the safekeeping of the US Army in to keep it out of the Soviets' hands. It was actually stored in Fort Knox in Kentucky, before being returned by President Carter in 1978. Now, who do I talk to about trying this thing on?

Outside, Sally was back to her usual jokes...

There is no imminent invasion that I know of Sally. I am sure I would have heard about it in Parliment if there were... Now cut it out, you are embarassing me!

That evening we attended Tony's Art Show at an art Gallery in Pest. I helped my friend, Preston mix up some Margaritas in the back room...

Here is one of TC's pen and ink drawings, he sold quite a few of them...

The cats! He also sold quite a few of these, yay!


Well, I am logging off after a busy and tiring day. Tomorrow will bring it's own adventures!