HUNGARY FOR MORE - Budapest, Hungary Jun 2016

HUNGARY FOR MORE

Budapest, Hungary June-July 2016

It's oddly wonderful when you come to a country without expectations. While we had certainly heard about Budapest and knew that, like most Eastern European countries, it has a sad and violent past, we had very few preconceptions.

The Parliament Building at night

Lenin, anyone?

As a city, Budapest is extremely beautiful. There's the Parliament Building and the adjacent Kossuth Lajos Square, looking innocent enough with throngs of people milling about. 

But then you see the memorial site for the victims of October 25th, 1956 and remember that this was the site where the Hungarian Revolution began as a student demonstration against Soviet-imposed policies.

The memorials remain

Powerful public art 

Eastern Europe; another country, another tyrant, more memorials to those killed. Once a haven for the Jews, by the early 20th century they made up some 23% of the population of Budapest, the country's capital. 

By the late 1930's Hungary had aligned itself with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy and instituted anti-Jewish measures. We know the rest of the story...

The architecture of Budapest is undeniably stunning. There are buildings everywhere in the classic style of the early 20th century. Along with open spaces and parks, set along the Danube, we found the city steeped in history. 

Impressive Dohany

Seating for 3,000 

We were really looking forward to visiting the Dohany Street Synagogue. Contributing to  our curiosity was the sheer size of the building; it is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world.
Its architecture, in the Moorish style, is highly distinctive.

A highlight of our stop was spending the day with Fely and Kevin Krewell, friends from Mike's AMD days, in Budapest for a few days after completing their Danube cruise.

Photo bombed by the piano guy

It was another instance when schedules amazingly aligned and we found ourselves in the same city, assisted many times by Facebook.

We finished our day at a lovely restaurant--a little meat heavy, but that's the way it goes in these countries. 

Nevertheless, we had a great evening and lively conversation. It is so rewarding to share travel experiences with friends.