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Aug 5, 2005 – Budapest

    note: the captions on many pictures can be viewed by holding your cursor above the picture

We started the day early, since we wanted to be on the top deck to see Budapest as we arrived. Perhaps I’m prejudiced, but I have to say that coming into Budapest on the river shows what a beautiful city it is. We enjoyed the view as we gently floated downstream, docking (always facing upstream) just beyond the Erzsébet híd (Elizabeth bridge) near the Vásárcsarnok (Market).               We enjoyed George Schneider’s lecture on “Art and Architecture in Budapest”. As soon as we were able – due to passport control – we picked up our own passports and went our own way for the day. We walked the somewhat hefty distance to the Parliament, stood in line for what seemed like hours in order to buy tickets to enter, and then stood in another line waiting for our entry time. The process could have been better organized, but we did get inside. Entry required full security screening, just like at airports. Then we were required to stay close together with the tour group – no individuals were allowed loose in the Parliament. The interior is beautiful, with gold leaf and other highly decorative devices. The main attraction, of course, is the crown of Szt István and the scepter and globe. They are always attended – either by tourists or by a military honor guard. As we arrived, the honor guard was just marching off – they looked very fine! We were also able to view one of the legislative chambers adorned with not only sculptures but also frescos. Pretty impressive. I’m glad we took the time to do this “touristy” thing.   We then went to a bookstore on the Oktagon (not far), which the tour people on the boat marked on a map for us. Having shopped extensively, we were in no mood to walk back, so we hopped on the Metro to get across town quickly.

We ate a quick lunch on the boat and then walked across the bridge and up the Gellérthegy to the Szesztay family house. There we visited with Ilonka and Ernő, went upstairs to see Gizella, Margaréta, and István. Gizella will turn 100 in September, and is mentally wide awake. Physically, she is no longer able to walk the stairs. We then went downstairs to Péter’s place – he having come up from Balaton and bringing his mother, Klára. Judit was also there, so we had a wonderful visit – not to mention the tasty treats and drinks which were naturally part of the afternoon. It was truly wonderful to see the relatives again, even if for such a short time. Time is taking its toll on us all, so treats like this are not to be taken lightly. Family Pictures

After our “Hungarian Dinner”, for which we had only limited appetite, we had a delightful folklore and Gypsy show, with song and dance. We joined in the singing, but did not dance (except in our minds). They were very good and we were very well entertained.

We went to the outside upper deck to watch as we left Budapest. The Captain took us all the way upstream to beyond the city, and then we went slowly down. If the city was beautiful during the day, it was completely stunning all lit up at night. I was pretty near teary-eyed, it was so impressive. After we left the last of the lights behind, we went to bed. It seemed like the nights were getting shorter, but our internal clocks were fully adjusted rather quickly.