Well as I continue to explore Budapest I have one word… WOW! It is an amazingly beautiful city and has so many little sub-cities or neighborhood areas to it that it makes it feel smaller than it is. It may very soon push Hallstatt off of the top of the “my favorite place on the trip so far” list!
I started the day out visiting the Great Market Hall. It’s only a few blocks from my hotel and it’s 3 floors of food, produce, funny T-shirts and lots and lots of paprika! As you can see by the pic it’s a huge place and for anyone who’s been to Philly it’s kind of like the Reading Terminal Market only bigger. It was fun to go around to see all the unique food items and of course sample some. Yummy!
I then did the Rick Steves Leopold Town Walk. This is the banking and business district a little north of the main city center that has some of Budapest’s grandiose landmarks like the Parliament and St Istvan’s Basilica.
The Parliament is even more impressive up close. I loved watching the two soldiers marching in lock step in a circle out front. Sort of like the French Foreign Legion! I plan to tour the inside later this week.
I then walked over to the edge of the Danube to see the beautiful view. Along with the view is a sad Holocaust Memorial. Along the edge of the river is 50 Pair’s of bronze shoes symbolizing the Jews who were killed here in 1944 when the Nazis came to power. They literally shot them right at this spot and let their bodies fall into the Danube. So sad. Many people had filled the shoes with flowers, beads and candles in remembrance.
I then just happened to be walking along and spotted this cute little Italian Bistro that I think has ties to my family heritage based on the name. OK, close enough! Lol
I then ventured over to an area they call Liberty Square and who do I run into but the ol’ Gipper so I had to get a picture with him. Reagan’s statue is there to commemorate his role in helping end the Cold War.
Not far from there was the very large and beautiful St. Istivan’s Basilica. I couldn’t see the inside because a wedding was going on so I showed you both the outside and the bride and groom coming out with the priest. The groom looks a little scared! Lol
I then toured the Opera House but both the inside and outside are under renovation so no great pics. But the history behind it was interesting and we got treated to 10 minutes of an Opera show (which was plenty for me because I’m not a big Opera fan.)
So that was my day. Hope your Saturday was a good one!
Jeff
The Wandering Italian 