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!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Traveller,
Your travelogue is terrific. Thank you for all the fine photos. They are so interesting! Sally is a hoot and you are as cute as ever.
Szeretlek!

Beanie Mouse said...

Oh what an amazing adventure!!! I think I'd be scared in that labyrinth too...