Split in two by the Danube River,Budapest is actually 2 parts that make one whole. We are staying in Pest (ironic, huh?) in a hostel called Beds n Roses....an odd name if you ask me,but it is right behind the opera in the thick of things and we have our own room AND bathroom!
Despite first glance as you pile out of the train into the streets, the city is unbelievebly beautiful. The rules are very strict, and monitors check your time stamped tickets both in and out of the metro, so there are no free rides! Aside from that, it is easy to get around walking...we clocked 13 miles yesterday!!
There is so much to do, that I cannot talk about it all, but I will give you some of the highlights. The opera, right near us, is so beautiful and old. Yesterday we went to St. Stephan´s Basilica, which is breathtaking -there was a service going on, but since we do not speak Hungarian, it was a little hard to understand. We also saw the synagogue, which is the largest in Europe and second largest in the world, and hadan amazing "Tree ofLife" monument.
Later we saw parliament (Justin took, like 85 photos, so you will see it, too!). The citadella memorial to the end of communism is up on Gallert hill, as well as one turkish bath and other interesting statues and architecture. We also crossed the chain bridge over the river.
Last night we ate pizza at an actual restaurant towatch Germany lose to Spain in the World Cup...we were the only Aericans in the place, but it was fun. Food here is cheap -Hungary is not on the euro, so they have florents,which are about 221 = one dollar. So for 2 pizzas & 4 beers is was about 15 bucks...not bad for Europe!
Today Justin is playing tennis with a friend from the Worcester Tennis Club namedGabor who is a professor at WPI during the fall,but from Hungary,so therefore here this summer. If we find the club,then we'll let you know how it goes! Tomorrow we're going to the turkish baths...yay!!! I am looking foward to that!
Hope all is well back home!! XOXOX ~ C & J
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