Budapest!

Sometimes the day you arrive in a new city can make a big difference when it comes to creating your first impression.  So it was with Budapest.  We departed Prague on a rainy Saturday morning and didn't arrive at the bus station here until late in the afternoon.  Lance and I grabbed a quick bite at the station, then took a cab to our new apartment.  We were tired and didn't go out again until the following day.  On Sunday I was surprised to see that the city looked big and a bit dirty...with several people, who clearly had substance abuse problems, sleeping on the street.  I was not impressed.  

I'm happy to say that first impression was totally erased the next day when we ventured back out again.  On Monday, the city was cleaned up...and we no longer saw people camped out in the doorways.  My guess is that the city workers have the weekend off, which explains the trash that accumulates on the streets...and once the work week begins the city workers get everything swept up and put back to normal.  

In no time at all Lance and I learned first hand all the great things Budapest had to offer.  Like every where else we have gone in Europe, it has more than it's fair share of great architecture and green spaces.  But, it also has grand boulevards with some high end designer shops, interesting and diverse neighborhoods, good public transportation, and loads of entertainment.  In fact, it has more things to do than almost any other city we have been to this year.  Jazz clubs, theater (with subtitles provided in English,) several independent movie theaters, thermal bath houses, beautiful cafes and restaurants, and big name musical stars and plays that tour through the city.  Simply put...it's a big city without the big city prices.  Budapest looks like a great place to live, which seems to explain the number of expats that have make this place their home.  

Since I never grow tired of photographing interesting old buildings, I have included a few below.     

The House of Terror museum contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist regimes in
20th-century Hungary. 

What I really enjoy most about the architecture in Europe are all the incredible details that were included when these buildings were first built.

One of the premier buildings in Bucharest is the Parliament Building.  It's beauty, both inside and out, is absolutely stunning.  About 100,000 people were involved in the construction of the building.  Construction began in 1885 and was completed in 1904.  Forty million bricks, a half million precious stones and 88 pounds of gold were used to help create this masterpiece.  The building has ten courtyards and 691 rooms.  There are a total of 242 sculptures both inside and outside the building.  It faces the River Danube..but the photo you see below is the backside of the structure.  We took a guided tour and just saw a small portion of this massive structure.      

Some examples of the multitude of sculptures you will find inside the building.

We also had a chance to visit the beautiful New York Cafe...which is located in the New York Palace Hotel.  It was constructed in 1894 by the New York Life Insurance Company and was bought and totally renovated in 2006.  Be forewarned...it is not cheap to go there.  We ordered 2 desserts (tiramsiu,) and a bottle of water and paid $35 dollars for our treat.  Ouch!   

Of course everything is not fancy in Budapest.  One thing that has become extremely popular for the past 15 years are the various Ruin Bars that can be found in the city.  Ruin Bars are built in abandoned buildings and filled with mismatched furniture...vintage items...and all others kinds of things too numerous to mention.  It's an affordable drinking venue for the young and creative crowd...although we saw plenty of older tourists there on the day we visited.  

Of course, we always have to check out the city market with all the fruits, vegetables, and meats.  The inside of this building reminded Lance and I of a big train station.  

Near our apartment was the Budapest Eye...otherwise known as the ferris wheel.  Lance and I enjoyed a ride one steamy night.  

And...we alway look for the biggest park near our home.  This one is special because it is located near several museums, Millennium Monument (pictured below,) a thermal bath house and a castle.       

Vajdahunyad Castle

Above and below...the outside and inside of the Szechenyi Thermal Bath House.

Of course, we never go to any new city without checking out the local coffee scene.  

Above is our favorite coffee house where I am currently sitting and writing this post.  

And...we always keep our eye open for a jazz concert.  We attended two here in Budapest.  The photo below was taken at a private house concert that we booked through AirBnB experiences.  The apartment was pretty, our host was very welcoming and the performance a delight.  

We had hoped to go to one of the famous bath houses but near the end of our stay Lance came down with a strange bug that left him exhausted and unable to do much.  He seems to be on a slow road to recovery, but we had to take it easy the last few days that we were in town.  Nevertheless, we really enjoyed our stay here and would definitely consider a return visit someday to see some of the sights we missed on our first visit.

Next up...Italy and the Umbria Jazz Festival!  I can hardly wait!