Beautiful Budapest

Budapest by Night

I was in Budapest in the early 90’s.   It was a beautiful city then, but having just come out from under Communism, the people were poor and buildings dilapidated, much like Bulgaria is today.  I can’t say you wouldn’t recognize it because the Hapsburg Empire made this city its second capital (after Vienna) and built the spectacular buildings that face the Danube.  They are still there.  The difference?  Whereas previously the buildings were black with pollutants and in disrepair, today the limestone gleams bright white after a thorough cleaning and the surrounding grounds are green with grass and fresh landscaping.  The economy (or prices) isn’t quite up to western European standards yet, but I can see it in the near future.

The Parliament from the Buda Hills

The Parliament at Night

This is a vibrant city.  New buildings stand next to the old, excellent public transportation networks all parts of the city, the sidewalk cafes are full.  There are interesting neighborhoods no matter where you walk.  It has the feel of Paris or Vienna.  We all loved it and were agreed this was the crown of end our Danube odyssey.  

I didn’t realize it at the time we started this journey that we’d experiencing many phases of post communist economic development:  Bulgaria – stuck in the past, Romania and Croatia – on their way, Budapest – almost there.  

Shoes Memorializing the thousands of Jewish people who were lined up along the banks of the Danube, told to disrobe and thrown into the icy waters by the Nazi's.

Rand and Me after a swim at the Széchenyi Thermal Bath

It’s been a good journey.  Randall and I said good bye to the others this morning.  John went on to Vienna.  Pat, Marie, Bobbie, Susan, Mel, Lyn and Joanie went on to Prague for the post trip. Rand and I are on our way to Bruge, followed by Copenhagen, Stockholm and ultimately Helsinki where we’ll meet another group of Travel Our World travels for the Norwegian Coastal Villages and Lapland travelers.  

Captain's Dinner - the last night on the M/S Adagio

Eastern European Travel Our World travelers

I won’t be posting my blog while we travel the next week, but since Lyn does a blog you’ll be able to follow their adventures as I forward hers to you.