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!

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!

Traveler in Budapest 4/21/09

I made it to Hunagry and am now enconsed in my hotel in Budapest, the Capital of Hungary. Originally settled by Celts, it was later taken over by the Romans, and then the Magyars.


Did you know that Buda and Pest are two separate areas divided by the Danube River? I am staying on the Buda side...

Budapest!

The famous Chain Bridge over the Danube!

A really neat Eagle statue overlooking the city high on the Buda Cliffs overlooking the river...

Look at the hound dogs on this statue! This is my favorite one...

Another dog...

We wandered along Buda Castle which is the area which has been the seat of goverment for the Hungarian Kings for hundreds of years... There are ancient Medival Fortresses that you can still see to this day. It's so cool!

Look at this old wall! It's so high!

Look at the arches... I wanted to cross this bridge, but Sally wouldn't let me...

Another cool wall...

More of the ancient fortresses.

This building in the Buda Castle Complex still shows bullet holes from WWII when Budapest was occupied by the Nazis.

I met a "Hungarian Horse"- he is part Andalusian and part Hungarian bred (whatever that means)...

Oh, Sally, stop clowning around!

Trying to be me much Sally?

Tomorrow I have a special tour of Parliment. Maybe I can get some bills passed or make a speech or two...

Traveler in New Jersey 4/19/09

Yes, it's true, I am in New Jersey. Tony and I attended the Chiller Autograph Show, which is the biggest on the East Coast.

Tons of people showed up, but Tony would not allow me to sign any autographs, I had to watch from the sidelines. You know how those big stars can be...

Tony signed up in his hotel room before we headed downstairs. I made sure he kept on time and on schedule- "Ok TC, let's get a move on, we don't want to keep the fans waiting!"
I snuck in to try to sign a few autographs, but strangley, nobody approached me. Tony must have got to them first...

Is this crowd for me? "Hi Guys!" But, sadly for me, they were looking for TC...

Then I met an old friend, Larry Storch! I met Larry in New York City last year, he asked the girls for me by name! "This is more like it!"

Tonight we are heading to HUNGARY! I am really looking forward to that- maybe I can swim in the Danube...