The Real Budapest
After packing and eating our last meal aboard the Viking Lif, we headed to our new digs, Hotel Palazzo Zichy, a boutique hotel. We checked our bags at the desk and headed to The Grand Market Place, listed on the 10 things one must see in Budapest. Less than 15 minutes walk from the hotel, we enjoyed walking through the neighborhood with tree lined streets. Once we arrived, there stood the Green's waiting for us as they took a taxi. Once inside you can see why this is a must see for visitors - it's huge.
The guys hung around booths while the ladies looked for things they could not live without. They dropped a few thousand florints on special items including Hungarian paprika and hand made linens.
For lunch the Kelly's and Green's decided on a restaurant where we could sit down without sitting in the crowded hallways. Although cafeteria style, it was a great find and we were entertained with Virtuoso Gipsy Music. Check out their very old harp.
After lunch we walked back to Hotel Palazza Zichy, grabbed our bags from storage and checked in. The room is very European and quit nice. Check out the fancy bathroom door.
Next we met up with our tour guide, Zoltan for our afternoon tour. We took a ride outside of town to Statue Park. On the way he gave us a very interesting and honest history of Hungary and Its current government. He told us that Hungary was the first communist state as the communist movement started here. He says that the country is still significantly communist and that the people have the mindset of believing whatever the government tells them instead of thinking for themselves. He called Hungary a 'post-communist mafia state'. Once we got to the park he gave us a tour of the statues that had been moved there and the guys got a kick out of a communist era car made of plastic and resins.
Next we drove to the Parliament building where Zoltan showed us a water feature that came on periodically and sprayed a cool mist. It was a lovely thing that looked like steam but then Zoltan told us that four such features were installed around the building by the government. Why? Because in case of demonstrations tear gas could be sprayed out of it instead of water. That was a real shock to us Americans.
We contiued walking and stopped to rest at a statue of a liberal communist man on a bridge. It was a nice photo stop.
We moved on to Liberty square where a Beer Festival was going on. We found a booth where they were cooking a pastry over charcoal on round drums. We had to try this unusual spiral thing rolled in cinnamon and of course it was good.
The American Embassy was next to Liberty Square and a park. We walked over to an area where the government put up a memorial to German occupation during WW II. Apparently whenever the government wants to do something that the people would not like they do it at night with a contingent of soilders to protect them. That is what happened with this memorial so there is an ongoing protest next to the memorial.
We walked to a subway station to get to our dinner location. This was an experience! First of all, the escalator down was a long one and moved very fast. Faster than would have been allowed in the states for safety reasons. Then we rode a communist era train that was an interesting experience.
Dinner at Kaltenberg Etterem was delicious with several of us enjoying Hungarian dishes including soup and the tasting of Hungarian beer. Tomorrow we will be with Zoltan all day so we need to get our rest.
The guys hung around booths while the ladies looked for things they could not live without. They dropped a few thousand florints on special items including Hungarian paprika and hand made linens.
For lunch the Kelly's and Green's decided on a restaurant where we could sit down without sitting in the crowded hallways. Although cafeteria style, it was a great find and we were entertained with Virtuoso Gipsy Music. Check out their very old harp.
After lunch we walked back to Hotel Palazza Zichy, grabbed our bags from storage and checked in. The room is very European and quit nice. Check out the fancy bathroom door.
We also have a nice view out our window of the plaza below and church across the street.
Next we met up with our tour guide, Zoltan for our afternoon tour. We took a ride outside of town to Statue Park. On the way he gave us a very interesting and honest history of Hungary and Its current government. He told us that Hungary was the first communist state as the communist movement started here. He says that the country is still significantly communist and that the people have the mindset of believing whatever the government tells them instead of thinking for themselves. He called Hungary a 'post-communist mafia state'. Once we got to the park he gave us a tour of the statues that had been moved there and the guys got a kick out of a communist era car made of plastic and resins.
Next we drove to the Parliament building where Zoltan showed us a water feature that came on periodically and sprayed a cool mist. It was a lovely thing that looked like steam but then Zoltan told us that four such features were installed around the building by the government. Why? Because in case of demonstrations tear gas could be sprayed out of it instead of water. That was a real shock to us Americans.
We contiued walking and stopped to rest at a statue of a liberal communist man on a bridge. It was a nice photo stop.
We moved on to Liberty square where a Beer Festival was going on. We found a booth where they were cooking a pastry over charcoal on round drums. We had to try this unusual spiral thing rolled in cinnamon and of course it was good.
The American Embassy was next to Liberty Square and a park. We walked over to an area where the government put up a memorial to German occupation during WW II. Apparently whenever the government wants to do something that the people would not like they do it at night with a contingent of soilders to protect them. That is what happened with this memorial so there is an ongoing protest next to the memorial.
We walked to a subway station to get to our dinner location. This was an experience! First of all, the escalator down was a long one and moved very fast. Faster than would have been allowed in the states for safety reasons. Then we rode a communist era train that was an interesting experience.
Dinner at Kaltenberg Etterem was delicious with several of us enjoying Hungarian dishes including soup and the tasting of Hungarian beer. Tomorrow we will be with Zoltan all day so we need to get our rest.
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