Welcome to Hungary!
Eger
The large, central Dobo Square and narrow, but charming,
streets leading away from it are for pedestrian travel only. Synchronized fountains and Baroque buildings
edging the spotless square give it a pristine ambiance.
Shops
on side streets are not filled with typical souvenirs, and unique signs are an
invitation to browse through the beautiful merchandise within.
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Day 8: Making Our Way to Budapest
Our midday bus stop is at Jambor Vilmos Altalanos Iskola (school), where students
are required to learn English and German. A
display in the front entry has postcards from the United States and Germany sent by previous visitors after they arrive back home.
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Walking
through the hallways, we could have been in any school building in the
U.S. Using one
of the classrooms, the English-language teacher gives a quick talk describing
the curriculum, followed by lunch in the cafeteria (bread, soup, poppy seed pasta, a multi-flavored
layer cake, and strong coffee).
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On
the playground, the children use one word and hand gestures to ask to have their photos taken or to ask to take a
picture: "Photo?" Sean is a big hit
with the kids, the boys challenging him to arm wrestling. We say our good-byes and leave
with light hearts and big smiles.
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Budapest
Days 9-10: Budapest
Our morning Pest tour includes walking, using the Metro, and riding the tram to see:
Free time is the order for the rest of the day. Many
of us make a beeline to the Great Market Hall, eager to try the langos that George had described
in Krakow. The pizza crust with sour
cream and Parmesan cheese is very good, but mine is enough to feed the entire travel group! Eating it is tricky; it is standing room only along the crowded balcony. The three floors of the marker hall are
packed with people and goods. After wandering among the booths, I choose an ornament for my international Christmas tree.
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After visiting the market, Susan and I walk to the House of Terror, which documents the fascist
and communist regimes, and the museum also serves as a memorial to victims of
those regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured, or killed in
the building. A vast amount of information
is very well presented, and each room has extensive information sheets in
English that you may take. The atrium’s Soviet
tank sets the tone for the Terror Haza exhibition. Exhibits with names such as Gulag, Prison
Cellar, Hall of Tears, and Victimizers leave me with a deep appreciation of our freedom
in America. Photography is prohibited.
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Search out the Loreto Chapel in the back corner and you will find the Madonna and Jesus statue.
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Examine the ornate exterior of the door to
the church.
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Reviewing my (too many to share) photos, I realize how many more could be taken to showcase the WOW! factor of the interior. The numerous geometric designs in themselves are overwhelming. |
Returning to the sunny skies outside, I wander the cobblestone streets, taking in
Fishermen’s Bastion, the president’s office, and inspiring views of the Danube
River and Pest.
I ride the funicular down to the bottom of the hill and walk back across
the bridge, where I spot a man wearing an Oregon Ducks t-shirt. He looks grumpy; it must be the regular
season loss to Arizona evoking such unhappiness.
In the evening, we regroup to cruise the Danube River
under a nearly full moon. It is
a warm night - perfect for a boat ride.
The lighted bridges are beautiful and the buildings glow a golden hue. Surprisingly,
my zoom is able to pick up the Liberation Monument.
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