Budapest

As usual, I am a little behind in my blogging effort. I have to admit it is getting harder and harder to find the time. All of the cities have so much to see and do. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and a little tired. BUT ONLY 5 MORE WEEKS! I can not believe it.

I have been to Budapest once before in the middle of winter. All I remember was trudging through freezing snow to go find some relief in the baths. This time couldn't have been more different.

Its really impossible for me to put this and other cities into words and pictures. I think this pretty much sums it up. Just kidding. But is this little guy adorable or what? This marble sphinx ain't got nothin on him.

In the past week we have been to some of the most amazing (and heart wrenching) museums we have ever been to. From a design perspective, the House of Terror museum in Budapest is the most amazing experience I have ever had. I think if you were to look at the evolution of museum design over the past 20 years you would see a dramatic shift away from images and descriptions on walls to overall sensory experiences. Not only were there so extremely innovative design elements here, the experience was terrifying. The central vestibule with acid etched plates showing the hundreds of victims faces of those detained, interrogated, tortured and killed in the building during fascist and communist regimes. There was an ominous soundtrack playing. It was totally eerie. 

One of my favorite rooms had a map of Europe on the rug (awesome) and cone shaped display cases marking cities and containing victims' personal items. Another haunting soundtrack played here...soldiers marching, barking dogs. Horrifying. The museum covered the entire second floor of 60 Andrássy út right in the heart of Budapest. We then rode a very slow elevator down into the basement while a externally mounted flatscreen played a video interview of one of the guards describing the conditions for prisoners. The basement was disgusting. A nightmare. And right under people's feet.  Basically, totally and utter paranoia. First the Arrow and Cross party and then the Hungarian Secret Police. Neighbors ratting out neighbors. People exploiting the tiny bit of power they had in order to suppress any hint of dissension.

    

Changing gears, Budapest has a young and creative culture that is visible on every street in the city. We stopped in a few cool outdoor bars in converted courtyards. A lot of funky recycled decor, cool music, fun art and of course World Cup fever.

The Chain Bridge spanning the Danube from Pest to Buda.

A view of Parliament from Buda Castle. Its official. There is something so just awesome about cities from above.

Atop Buda Castle Hill. Pretty touristy up here. Alex's knee was acting up again. We were hot....

Good thing there was a exquisite municipal bath right down the hill! The Gellert Baths were built in 1934 and I think I saw some women in their flowery bathing caps that have been coming here every day since.

Refreshed and ready to head back to Pest to tackle some more sights.