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Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
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  • Marc Scheulin

Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5

The European experience continues in the very bustling city of Budapest. Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 11, 2024
    Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    Standing on chain bridge, Palace behind me
    Chain bridgeOur home is the white bldg in centerJust a short walk to an iconic restaurant. Subtle? Can you spot them?

    Morning walkabout

    July 11, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    We arrived in Budapest at about midnight. Got into the Airbnb then straight to bed. No photos from the arrival.

    At 7:00 am, I got outside to see what was around us.
    Our new home is on the river, but all windows look the other direction. I walked down river, underneath the Erzsebet bridge to the famous Rudas hot springs. There I found an ATM and got some HUF (Hungarian money).

    I then turned around, walked upriver to the chain bridge. Walking past the Buda Castle. I crossed to the Pest side, walked down river, past the big hotels and river boats.
    I saw many statues that are in the pics.
    Completed the loop back home; walk took about 90 minutes.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    Parliament near to sunset on the Danube
    Restaurant inside the PalacePretty!!Random muralWhat a great book standTrain stationHuge Burger King (only the sign was big)Two trams crossing

    Evening Walk Around

    July 11, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    Well, it’s just too darn hot! I’m going to change up my day, and be an inside hermit until afternoon, then walk and see things late in the day. I ventured out around 5:00, aimlessly and without a destination I took several subways, two bicycles, and a tram, and found myself at the Palace Castle. Which is about 100 yards from the house, so basically my path was a big circle. It is a beautiful (albeit still warm) evening and I’m loving this City. It has a wonderful mix of the feel I got in Buenos Aires and with the river it’s a bit Paris. Only thing that would make it better is about 20 degrees cooler. The month has just begun!
    ~Travels With Pam    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    A table in the pastureCauliflower steak and black riceFig and goat cheese (from the goats that surrounded us)2The wine tasting was casual and beautifulWine storeroom and press. This area has been growing and bottling for hundreds of yearsOur host Tim, his banjo, and a family sized winery.

    Fork and Cork

    July 13, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    An adventure into the surrounding farmland brought us new friends, and new experiences.
    Marc connected with a Facebook Group and found a Cork and Fork Experience and we jumped at the chance to get out of the city and see new things.
    For starters our guide for the day couldn’t get into town to meet the group, but we ended up meeting the group ourselves (more accurately the group organically formed up) and we managed to get on the right bus and ride about an hour into the village of xxx where we caught up with our guide and host Tim. We knew we were on the right tour when Tim had a banjo over his shoulder and suggested our first stop should be wine!
    What a day we had. Walking and talking, eating and drinking. It turns out that the other two of the other couples on the tour were also American slow traveling nomads. What a shock! We didn’t need to explain our lifestyle and as matter of fact, they had years and years more experience so they explained things to us! We couldn’t have been happier.
    Our merry band had a beautiful organic farm-to-table lunch in the pasture at Tim’s sustainable garden. Homemade bread, salad, tomato gazpacho, a thick cauliflower steak and, as the chef was Brazilian, desert was dolce de leche. And of course more wine.
    We will try to catch up again with our newly found nomad friends Julie and Steve and Omar and Lannell next week before we all once again head out to the corners of the planet on our individually selected paths, but for one afternoon, in the middle of Hungary, Marc and I were in our perfect place. We were all Living our Slow, Traveling, Best Lives.
    Special thanks to Lannell for the extra photos.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    The stained glass was removed and stored on sand in the basement and then walled in during warsCeremonial staircase to assembleThe craftsmen looking downArt work everywhereCigar ashtray outside assembly

    Parliament

    July 15, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 97 °F

    Absolutely beautiful. I’ve seen many pictures of the building lit up at night. But the evening views don’t do justice to what’s inside, every part of the building is intentional, every color, every texture, every icon, has been so well thought out, that the designer made it look easy. My favorite part, are the statues, representing the trained craftsman, of the era. Of course they were all men, but likely they didn’t allow women to vote anyway, so they really didn’t need to be represented. There were lots of similarities between the Hungarian Parliament, and the Scottish Parliament, Including the statues and the artwork, depicting people, as though the elected officials were always being watched, and reminding the officials who they were there to represent. In the end, we saw maybe 15% of the building space, but it was enough to get a beautiful feel for the building.
    The building also houses the crown jewels, guarded by two men 24 hours a day. Very similar to the crown on supper we saw in Scotland,. As we continue on this adventure, I look forward to visiting more Parliament type buildings and seeing what other similarities we can find , of course, we couldn’t take any photos of the crown and, so you’ll have to take my word for it. It was pretty.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5

    The Shoes

    July 15, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 97 °F

    Budapest, and Hungary for that matter, has a war torn past. And the past, represented in this art installation, is the recent past. During WWII many Jews were shot and pushed into the Danube. In 2005 this art installation was installed as a visual reminder of those tragic events.Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5

    Hungarian Opera

    July 16, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 95 °F

    The Hungarian Opera is a beautiful building. The exterior is grand, and the inside spectacular. We spent an hour touring the inside, ending with a performance by two Opera singers. A unique tour. Inside the seating area holds 1,000 people, most are seated in traditional box seats. As the theater was built in the time of royalty, the center box and the private gallery were specifically built for the King and his very unique position in society.Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    A crazy rare and expensive Ferrari with a name I can't recalll
    I love this rotating windowArt from the Hungarian National GalleryThe Hungarian Formula 1 race is in town. Actually out of town about an hourThere are no words for how this candy packaging is so odd

    First Medical and AirMD

    July 17, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    For starters, Nothing tragic so don’t worry.
    Since our time in Florida, I, Pam, have been having pains in my left foot. It is worse in the morning and terrible in the afternoon. I changed shoes, I added insoles, I rested, but nothing worked for more than a few hours. As a traveler without a local primary doctor, I did what all travelers do when they are sick in a foreign country. I turned to Facebook expat groups and the internet. In all cases AirMD was the solution. I sent them an email and they connected me to a local orthopedic doctor in Budapest. I had an appointment schedule for two days later. Friday at 4:30 I went to the building and within 15 minutes of sitting in the beautiful waiting area, I was seen. The doctor had a great bedside manner and spoke excellent English. X-rays of both feet and 20 minutes later the results. Heel spurs on both feet, but only the left is bothered with plantar fasciitis. He prescribed an NSAID and a topical gel, both I filled at the pharmacy for under $15usd. The medication is one we don’t get in the U.S. but is available in all of Europe and all information I’ve read says it is excellent specifically and oddly for feet. End result, if the medicine doesn’t help within 10 days I can refill the prescription. If that doesn’t help there are other treatments. Of course by then we will be in Belgium so I’m not sure what happens after that. I’m hopeful it gets better soon.
    One of our selling points for this lifestyle is, “having two good hips, two good knees, and a sharp brain” so I need my feet to be healthy.
    I didn’t get any photos of the doctor’s office so here are some random photos of the last few days.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    Google Translated Plaque

    Roman Amphitheater

    July 18, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    Built in the year 150 AD, this Roman ruins is now surrounded by tall apartment buildings in the center of old Buda.
    It seems that the Roman army built this type of Amphitheater is every large settlement across the empire.
    I had the entire site to myself on the weekday afternoon I visited the ruins. Only one woman was playing frisbee with her dog when I arrived. After they left, I had unrestricted access to the whole thing.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5

    Hydrafoil beyond the Danube bend

    July 20, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    We see the Danube every day, particularly we see the boats and river cruises moving along. We thought about taking one of the 1 hour cruises until we found that there is a ferry that goes from Budapest to other cities. After a long talk with the ferry people we opted for a one way ticket on the Hydrafoil to Szentgyorgymezo. The hydrafoil was fast and smooth (and a little hot as there seemed to be a power problem so no A/C). We got all the way to Esztergrom (across the bridge was Slovakia) and then had a bus and train adventure getting back to Budapest. But first our hydrafoil time.

    Our trip was on a Saturday. The river was full of local people enjoying the river. Camping, swimming and lots of boating. We came across several club boat races. Mostly kayaking, but also canoeing and even dragon boats.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    On the Visegrad bridge
    Public art at a playgroundOpen fieldsFerry ride to NagymarosCastle in the hill of Visegrad2Train station2Well deserved beer

    From Esztergom to Visegard and Nagymaros

    July 20, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    In Esztergom we stopped for lunch and a walk about. What an interesting town and far off the tourist path. Then a bus ride to the town of Visegrad. An auto and foot traffic ferry ride across the Danube to Nagymaros and finally a train ride back to Nyugati station. Subway from Pest to Buda then tram home. All of these modes of transport were included and covered in our month long Pest County transit pass. The pass has been one of the best things we bought when we first arrived here and we highly recommend the County pass option as it offers such travel opportunities.
    We love these kind of adventures and seeing Hungary outside of the city.
    We passed through the towns of Felsogod and God, both of which made me smile.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5

    A day at the spa

    July 21, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Gellart Thermal Bath is the second largest thermal bath in Budapest. It’s also a 5 minute walk down river from our apartment.
    Sunday was my day to check out the 8 different indoor and outdoor pools. Plus steam rooms and Saunas.
    It was a nice soak and lounge for about 5 hours on a Sunday afternoon.
    Nice relaxing day for Marc.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    The awning do the facade casts a foreboding shadow.
    In the cloakroomThe Arrow Cross a Hungarian group precursor to the NazisChanging uniforms as different regimes entered the countryThis Russian tank is sitting in a reflecting pool of waterReligion wasn't allowed and this show the symbolic hiding it below the surfaceHungarian typewriter for spyingOutside a section of the Berlin Wall

    Museum of Terror

    July 25, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Hungary has been through so much as a country. Many regime changes and so much turbulence with each political era. On top of that Hungary was a small but strategic nation in Europe during both World Wars. All of this combined to create chaos, bloodshed and a society of people who turned on each other changing their beliefs and political systems many times. In Each evolution different groups were persecuted, driven out of the country and many times tortured and killed in a mixed up attempt to build a country. The majority of the political turmoil occurring between 1910 and 1990’s. Which means that many of the victims and tormentors are still alive today telling their story. The Museum of Terror attempted to condensed all of that into a coherent message. Spread over four floors and a basement it was a dark and somber visit. Photography isn’t allowed but I snuck a few.Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    Sculptures partially finished
    Painting of Buda castle from the Pest side. Our house is down in the bottom left near the churchThe Castle Chaple from the castle wallWindow of the church looking outCeiling of the chapelThe Kings chapleMarble decorationsA Latino phrase. I tried Google translateOrnate tile flooring

    Museum of Budapest

    July 25, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Budapest (or some version of the City) has existed since the 1100’s. The geographic location with a hill for views, a river for travel and hot baths for medicinal and cultural value made the area an easy place to live. The Museum of Budapest tells the story of the many, many, many years of cultural life of the area of what is now know as Budapest.
    After a morning spent at the museum of terror this museum was a happier diversion but wow, covering over 1,000 years of history was a lot to see. Time permitting a second visit will help.
    My favorite part was what they called the Sculpture graveyard. It seems that as Monarchs changed, their marble sculptures needed to be changed also. Within the walls of Buda Castle a sculpture studio existed and when there was a change of Kings the unfinished sculptures were tossed aside in a waste pile. During the archeological digs these piles were found. The unfinished pieces shed light of the process of marble sculpting and this collection in the Sculpture Graveyard is one of the largest collection in the world.
    ~Travels with Pam    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    Rooftop pool with a viewUnderground Turkish bathsModern indoor poolsThat is a wall of salt blocks that release into the roomDrinking fountain of cool mineral water, same water that you soak in is good for your bodies insides

    Rudas Baths

    July 26, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    Rudas Bath or Rudas fürdő is a thermal bath in Budapest, Hungary which is claimed to have medicinal properties. It was founded in 1571/1572[1] during the time of Ottoman rule. To date, it retains many of the key elements of a Hammam, exemplified by its Ottoman dome and octagonal pool.
    That’s what Wikipedia says and the reality of the baths feels very much like a place that fell out of history. There were many pools of varying temperatures from ice cold to super hot. There were steam saunas, salt saunas, dry saunas, aromatherapy saunas and even a bowl full of ice, just in case you got that overheated.
    The best part was the original bath area. A dome covered the main round pool with 4 pools surrounding that with smaller pools of varying temperatures. This domed area was in the same location as the original bath from the 1570’s although it was rebuilt after its destruction during the war.
    We spent a nice afternoon moving from tub to tub and room to room. I recalled the spa I visited in Banos, Ecuador, and marveled (and I’m grateful) that the idea of natural hot springs seems to be a universally acceptable way to spend the day.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5

    The Olympics Opening Ceremony

    July 26, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    As we are living our slogan of Life is Traveling Slowly, occasionally we are reminded that the rest of the world continues to spin. This evening, we remembered that the opening ceremonies for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, would be on television. First, we were in a position where the time zone that we are in, is the same time zone as Paris. So that the evening, opening games, also was the evening here in Budapest. Second,. Marc remembered that in the city square, is a pop-up Park with a large television screen. We found our way to the park, and sure enough, the opening ceremony was simulcast on the big screen. It was fun being in such a public location. When the athletes from different countries were shown with their flags, the citizens of those countries cheered and clapped. Although we were all sitting in a park in Budapest, unbeknownst to all of us, we were a mini United Nations.Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    A frieze that originally stood vertically on a large grandstand, not laying on the ground
    Our guide was demonstrative. Behind her is the brick wall, the literally end of communismA signalman who attempted to signal surrender.Intentionally looking like The ThinkerThe Russian symbolic womanA strong man with a gun, always a symbol of communismHard work will set you free

    Memento Park

    July 27, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    When a country has a regime change, particularly if the regime was known to be brutal, unsupported, and downright a bad idea, the usual response by the citizenry is to tear down and destroy all of the monuments that are reminders of the event.. In Budapest, they did tear down the statues from the communist regime, but instead of destroying them, they relocated them into a purpose, built park. The thought that went into the design of the Park was tremendous. The paths were in a figure 8, an infinity symbol, with all roads leading to a brick wall. And not a symbolic brick wall, but a literal brick wall. All the major communist figures were there, Stalin, Lenin, and several, specific to Hungary. We were excited to met up with our friends, Lanell and Omar for the tour, and although it was hot in the sun, there was no denying the solemnity of the park. It’s a strong country that can recognize the horrors of the past, and without celebrating those horrors, place the monuments in such a way as to remind everyone about the past, and that it is something that should never be repeated.Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    Mozart statue in the parkOpera HouseStreets are full of musicFood pop up at film festivalTrain station from our hotel roomSigmund Freud went to school in ViennaBoat on the DanubeMore green grass here than we have seen in Europe in the summer

    A Day in Vienna

    July 29, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    Music and Art and Churches seem to be the heart and soul of Vienna.
    We arrived in Vienna at about 10:30 am. Then spent the rest of the day riding trams and walking around to discover what makes Vienna tick.

    The city is laid out like a bullseye. Dead center is a huge Church. It is surrounded by pedestrian only streets that are full of people, even at 11pm on a Monday.

    This shopping and dinner area is surrounded by music. Parks and museums.

    After that starts the business and apartment high rise buildings.

    Very interesting, very walkable and so much more to come back to explore.

    Marc really liked this city and loves the tram and train system as well as the town and the people. Pam was remarkably unmoved by Vienna and, except for being able to visit many art galleries, not really interested in returning.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    Just your average summer home!!
    This is the back entranceSchonbrunn means fresh water, this fountain symbolizes thisI like the way the gargoyle is spitting the waterPalm garden. Apparently very popular at one time and similar to the in EdinburghFormal gardenCan you imagine just walking up to the front door?

    Schonbrunn Palace

    July 30, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Amazing is the biggest understatement in describing Schoenbrunn palace and gardens. This was only a summer home for the Austrian royal family.

    We spent our last morning in Vienna touring only the gardens. Using the garden trolley to get around, this took several hours. I’ll need to return to spend a few days to tour the Palace, several museums, the zoo, the botanical gardens and other places on the palace grounds.

    Thank you to Pam for “dragging” me to another old Palace. This place is just amazing!    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    An artist has partially inflated 3 hot air balloons inside a building and it's art.U.S. Embassy, even before the flag we knew what it was by the barricade surrounding it.Famous Slovakian poetTonight's restaurantThe view from the tableThe only remaining gate into the origin walled cityThe road to our hotelThe hotel courtyard, so lovely and inviting.A quiet street in Bratislava with our hotel on the right

    Bratislava, Slovakia

    July 30, 2024 in Slovakia ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    An hour on the train and we arrived in Bratislava.

    Bratislava is the political, cultural and economic centre of Slovakia. It is the seat of the Slovak president, the parliament and the Slovak Executive. It has several universities, and many museums, theatres, galleries and other cultural and educational institutions. Many of Slovakia's large businesses and financial institutions have headquarters there.

    It appears to be a visual mix of German villages, walled cities and my imagined towns in Russia or East Germany. It feels really old, but also not modern. So far, it’s hard to put my finger on it, but I, Pam, love it, and Marc is underwhelmed. Exactly our opposite reactions to Vienna. Tomorrow a food tour to get a better understanding of the cultural mix, and food is always a good way to learn about the people.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5

    Childrens Railway

    August 2, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    The children’s railway of Budapest was established in 1948, in 2015. It was placed in the Guinness world record book as the longest railway, where all traffic and ticketing offices are done by kids.
    That’s what the brochure says. But lest you think it is a railway run on child labor, it isn’t. At least not in the negative sense. I’m not sure of all of the history, because most of the museum was in Hungarian, but the railway origin, apparently comes from something like a Boy Scout camp during communist times. I think it was called the Young Pioneers, and it was a way to both introduce kids to trains, and introduce them to a working life.
    The railway line runs through a protected forest area, I think it had like eight stops, with the train itself, being controlled by adults. The kids are all between about eight and twelve, they work at the railway two days a month, they sell tickets, they work in the museum, they signal the trains, and generally looks super cute saluting each other as the train goes past.
    There was little doubt that the railway was started during communist times, the mural on the wall above the main ticket office was a dead giveaway, but now, it really does look like a fun activity for kids, that teaches a lot of responsibility.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5

    Millenaris Park

    August 5, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    This park is amazing! The Fish pond where kids are dangling their feet and feeding the fish and ducks with lounging chairs on the side. A dancing fountain where kids are running in the water. The ropes playground where kids around 7-12 can have adventures.
    Several restaurants with seating outside.
    3 different theaters for music, movies and live performances.
    And a waterfall with falling water that has images and words.
    Green grass and smiling faces.

    We are in love with Budapest.    Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    Our train to PragueWatching Olympics at city centerTurkish bathsIron Curtain at Terror MuseumPlaying with StatuesStrudel House - Yum!More play with statuesSpa daysWine tasting at Buda CastleOpera HouseJews shot and tossed in riverCork & Fork in countrysideDancing water fountainChain bridge to Buda CastleTrain excursionsStatues are our friends

    Goodbye Budapest

    August 6, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Today we are moving from our old home in Budapest to a new home in Ghent Belgium.
    We absolutely loved Budapest. We will return for another month sometime in the future.
    Here are some of the things that make it great!Read more

  • Budapest - Yr 1, Hm 5
    Stage 2
    Stage 3, same as day 1 stagePeople hanging out in the streets at midnightSame street in the other directionStage 1 at 12:30 amThe night is still young

    Patershol Festival day 2 of 3

    August 10, 2024 in Belgium ⋅ 🌙 72 °F

    On Saturday night, I returned to Patershol to watch the music, get some street food and a few beers. I found 4 different music stages scattered around the neighborhood. Each stage was crowded with people. Same for most of the street between the stations
    Nowhere, at anytime were people pushed everyone was pleasant.    Read more

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