Budapest

Yesterday there was no blog because most of the day was spent on the train from Zagreb, Croatia to Budapest, Hungary.  I think the train left around 10:15ish and we arrived around 4:30.  After a couple of shuffles to open seats (some were reserved but weren't marked).  We finally got a spot.  The first class had "rooms" with 6 seats- 3 on each side with room for luggage on top.  My friend and I sat by a couple from North Carolina.  It was quite steamy but once we got the window open in our "room" and hall there was a great breeze.  The dining car that was advertised was not attached so the train stopped in a small town for 15 mins. so that people could buy stuff from the train station- in forints- which we had none of.  So luckily we all had some food stashed to eat (and people laughed at me for bringing Fruit Loops and Jiff cups).  Our apartment was a quick ride on the metro (subway) and less than a block from the station.  Great dinner once we were settled.  I had chicken breast cooked than cooked bacon was put on top and a soft cheese (we think goat/sheep) was melted on top.  YUMMY! (sister, please get working on a version of this cuz I'd love to have it again )

Today we did A LOT!  My aching feet are proof but boy was it great!  Did you know that there is a Buda part of town and a Pest?  Me neither!  They're separated by the river. Things here are pretty spread out so the Metro is key.  Once you do it a few times, you fall into a rhythm.  Today we were on the Pest side.  First we went to Parliament.  After getting tickets you go through a metal detector.  Then you are escorted on the tour by the guide and 2 officers (military).  One military guy at the front and one at the back.  Beautiful, BIG building (it was built when Hungary was much larger).  We got to see a few rooms- including where the members of Parliment vote and a room with the Crown Jewels.  After that we saw the Chain bridge (which is one way to get from Buda to Pest). We went into a HUGE building with a market.  The first floor was all food- fruits, veggies, meat, cheese.  2nd floor sold touristy things (may have to go  back there to help their economy).  In the afternoon we saw the Opera house (very opulent) , a Jewish Synagogue which was the 2nd largest in the world.  It was very interesting and beautiful.  We ended by seeing the museum of National History of Hungary which was laid out really nicely.  If it had a little more English it would have been even better.

After dinner, I got to do laundry- YEAH!  We have a washer in our apartment.  So much better than doing it in the sink.  Take a look at their money below.  WOWSA! Those bills are huge.  It's about $4 us to 1,000 Forint.

Oh, and I know you're waiting with baited breath to hear about my camera.  On the way to dinner I found a Sony store- what are the chances of that?  Had to be fate, had to be a sign that the problem was with my battery, right???  Wrong!  Bought the expensive battery, put it in, held my breath....nothing. oh well.  phone is doing ok and I have a camera on the way (Thanks julie and nancy!)

Breakfast of champions before leaving Zagreb.

People looking out as our train is split- so we can go to Budapest and the other cars somewhere else.

Money Part 1:  Coins- look there is a 100 and a 200 there!

Money part 2:  Bills- makes converting tricky

 The view of our courtyard

The Parliment building

 The STEEP metro escalator you take to get to different trains.

 A view of the market

The Chain Bridge that connects Buda and Pest

The Opera House

Inside the Synagoge

In the memorial garden.  Names were engraved on the leaves.

Clean clothes........   :  )

Tomorrow my friend Linda and I are on our own. Armed with maps and a 24 hour metro/bus pass we hope to check out some sights on Buda and not get too lost : )