Budapest

Budapest appears to have been once a grand city but now things are starting to look a little run down. However, do not let this dissuade you. Once you start exploring, you find many old gems. Plus there are way less tourists!

The first is the many bathhouses in the city. An Aussie and I decided to spend a whole day at the Syechenyi themeral baths which are located in a huge city park. There are a number of saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, and fountains within the grand confines of the building.

The saunas are so HOT that it feels like you are eyes are going to melt (is this healthy!? And then there is the guy at the top level of the sauna reading newspaper). The worst is moving to leave the sauna where your skin feels like it is going to evaporate. To cool off, you jump in a cold pool, then a warmer one, and then finally the hottest. Now you are ready for the sauna again.

The best pool had an area sectioned off like a doughnut. Along the walls of the doughnut were jets which pushed you along in a clock wise direction. Everyone from old to young loved being whirled around like they where in a washing machine.

It was funny seeing the range of bodies (old, young, fat, skinny, hot, not) enjoying the water. Reminded me of the hot springs in Banff.

One church of note is within the castle walls. It is a gothic cathedral. However, the vibrant bright paint on the inside is like nothing else i have seen in such a church. Found out later that the Ottoman Empire occupied Hungary for 150 years and at one point turned the church into a mosque. Guess they the Christains like the paint job.

Another evening was off to the Opera. Spent about $4 which was worth it just for the architecture. You could imagine the place if it was 100 years ago if everyone was in fancy dresses and suits. Fortunately, the opera had subtitles scrowling across a screen; otherwise I would be lost. I think operas are better than musicles.

Then there is the Hungarian Parliament with its big dome. It was very spectacular inside. The funny part is the crown jewels. For some reason, the cross on the crown is bent and no one knows why. So, even the crown on their coat of arms has a bent crown.

Last to note is the Terror House. It was a museum about the Hungarian secret police during the communist era. I was really blown away with this museum as not only did it try and present history but also make you feel it. Almost like a haunted house but more serious (serious people).