There are two cities that make up Budapest, Hungary (Boo'-dah-pesht).Loosely translated, they both mean kiln or furnace. Buda is on one side of the Danube and Pest is on the other. In between, there are a number of bridges of varying architecture, but the "Chain Bridge" is the most striking. This connects the two cities and is the main artery to the hilltop fortifications around Buda Castle.
The Chain Bridge; spanning the Danube. Taken from the Buda Castle.
Susan and I struck out from our Best Western to cross the Chain Bridge, ride the Funicular train up the hill, visit the historic Buda Castle, the fortifications, the stately cathedrals, etc. Our first stop was the train station from which we sought to catch the subway to a place where the walking would be closer. Wrong. We struck off in the wrong direction. After viewing some nice statues, monuments, sculptures, and fountains, we got our bearings and headed in the correct direction. We saw the Danube, with its lively river traffic and converged on the Chain Bridge. It is probably a third to a half mile across and we were amazed by the sights as we walked and gawked. Okies don't see that much water in the SW part of the state.
Budapest Keleti pályaudvar train station
While we were lost; a vigilant policeman surveys our situation and is not as much help as the ones that set us on the correct path.
Entrance to the Chain Bridge
Susan about to cross the bridge, I'm not "Lion".
We arrived at the train designed to take us up the steep incline to the castle. Wrong. It was closed for maintenance. Until we walked through a half-mile long tunnel and up a billion steps. Upon our arrival at the top, it was running. Nice maintenance, Hungarians.
I should stop here and inform the reader that there are probably not 5 free toilets in the city of 2 million Hungarians. They all cost 100 Hungarian Forints (1/2 Euro) each time nature beckons. And believe me, the money doesn't go for cleaning them. We finally encountered a free one across from the train station at guess what? A KFC. Go USA, where the bathrooms are free and they put freaking ice in the drinks!
Halfway up? Not even.
Keep going!
Resting at the top.
"STATUE" with your arm around my wife?
Headlock!!!
We toured the walls of the castle, took pictures, met a guy wearing an Oklahoma t-shirt whose Dad is from Tipton (Cool, huh?), and we walked. And walked. Finally, we crossed back on the Chain Bridge to find the train station and return to Vienna for youth and scholar practice. Wrong. We walked over 5 kilometers trying to find the station. Finally, we walked along the river to the bridge near where we had eaten the night before so I could backtrack on familiar surroundings. Finally, we arrived at Keleti train station.
This picture was take from the castle. A guy with relatives in SW Oklahoma took it.
Susan; with the wind-blown look. Parliament is in the background (on the Pest side).
The adventure took turn for the worse as we arrive in time to catch the 1:05 train and arrive in Vienna at 4. We entered the international ticket section and stood in line for 30 minutes before we found that we had to take a number! So I did. They were serving number 657. My number? 695! As our train left the station without us, we were still waiting in line. There was an interesting mix of traveling college students, beggars, and pigeons to amuse us in the huge station as we waited for the next available train to Vienna. Upon purchasing our tickets (finally) when we crossed the street to the friendly and welcome face of the Colonel! Hello KFC! They didn't take euros, but thanks to a Euro Master Card, they took the plastic. Chicken strips and french fries! And Pepsi Light (no diet anything in Europe; it's called "light"). WITH ICE! You don't know how I have missed that simple ingredient. The fact that this is the only free refill restaurant on this part of the Danube didn't hurt either.
Thank you Colonel! A welcome sight!
On a side note, Hungary has it's own currency called the Forint. 100 ft is worth 1/2 euro. Our motel cost about 30,000 ft. Translated, that was 70 euros ($100 usd). I bought a cap for 1,500 fornits! The poor cashiers have to convert euros to fornits and vice versa.
When you are in Europe, you tend to listen for American voices. Upon boarding our train, we heard a conversation from Americans (and not Europeans speaking English). Of course, we butted in and in SW Oklahoman fashion I asked "Where ya'll from?" The answer was North Carolina. Their daughter had just graduated from Budapest University and they were visiting Vienna. We talked on the train for a while and the rest of the 3 hour trip was uneventful.
Of course, when in Hungary, eat goulash..and for dessert; palatschenken! We are blessed by eating in St. Petrus' booth. (That is NOT a halo to the right of my head)
We caught the U Bahn back to the Villa and at one point, we both confessed that it was good to be in Vienna, where we knew our way around. I loved Budapest, but I have now been there. I don't see a reason to go back. Vienna has a much better public transportation system, fewer beggars, cleaner streets, and friendlier public employees. And although I don't understand German very well, believe me, Magyar is unintelligible! The signs have letters and marks above the letter that God never intended a civilized people to have!
The obligatory European city statue. A mounted hero in front of an impressive structure.
At the Villa, I discovered two blisters on my feet but have lots of pictures and memories with my best friend of a trip to remember. I hope you enjoyed my account and if you ever get to Budapest, maybe some of the info given here can come in handy.
No comments:
Post a Comment