European Adventure, Day 4–Strolling and Lounging Around Pest

Early Friday morning, we were awoken by some serious Thunderstorm action (x2).  The good news about this is that it changed the weather up a bit, which was more than welcome after the previous day’s heat.  In the morning, I awoke early and took a stroll in the cool overcast morning to grab a cappuccino while Susan slept in some.  Upon my return, I woke Susan up and we proceeded to a nearby patisserie for a chocolate croissant before making our way eastward up Andrassy Blvd.

Our midday destination was the House of Terror, formerly the HQ of the Hungarian Nazis (the Arrow Cross) and later the Hungarian Secret Police as part of the Soviet Regime.  Now, it has been converted into a museum to commemorate Hungary’s checkered past.  While the museum is sobering and sometimes downright depressing, it is one of the most well executed exhibits we have ever come across.  The attention to detail in every room never lets you escape or gloss over the heaviness of the topic being covered.  We left in a somber mood, but glad we experienced the museum as we learned a great deal. 

On the walk back to the Loft, we grabbed lunch at a Hungarian take-away not sure what we were ordering…some chicken dishes, a couple hash browns, and some creamed spinach with the help of a bilingual local.  It was all very good, and well priced.  Then we walked past the opera house and considered grabbing cheap seats to the nights’ showing of Romeo and Juliet only to find out they were sold out.  The rest of the return trip included sauntering through the Jewish district, which has a variety of small bars and clubs, but is most famous for having the second largest Synagogue in the world. 

We arrived back at the hostel around 3 and quickly changed for the afternoon’s activity…relaxing at the Selingzy (sp) Baths in the City Park.  Essentially the baths are just a large set of public pools built into the structure of an old building.  Even though it was like going to the pool, the surroundings and the atmosphere made it much different.  We stayed at the outdoor pools since the weather was so sunny and warm, which included a large lap pool, a warm water wading pool, and a cool water wading pool complete with some jetted floors and a circular current pool in the center.  After fighting for position with the old ladies monopolizing the jets we were able to experience all the pools had to offer.  Then we relaxed poolside with books and refreshment…a much needed break from the activity of the prior days.

Once evening set in and the temperature started dropping, Susan and I walked back through the park, which sits at the end of Andrassy Blvd.  We were able to see the Park Castle, two art museums, and the Heroes Square, all being new scenery to us.  Then we retraced some of our steps from earlier up the Boulevard and back to the Loft.  Since it was getting late, we didn’t stop long before heading back out for dinner at a small out of the way Hungarian restaurant near (and recommended by) the Hostel.  It was empty and the service was somewhat rude, but the food was delicious and the prices were good, so we considered in a success.  On the way back to the hostel for the night, we diverted to the river to check out the waterfront at dark.  The bridges and major buildings had a different look being lit up at night, so it was a worthwhile side-trip.

Tomorrow we plan to return to Buda for a few more sites before catching our first train and moving on to the next city.