BUDAPEST

Budapest day 1

 We rented a one bedroom apartment for our stay.  We find this much cheaper and a lot more comfortable than hotels when we travel. 

 Vicki opening gate to building.  Great resturant next door

Lounging in the apartment.

We went roaming the town and came across a street fair of entertainers.

 He was not an entertainer but his hair was.

Budpest is still has one foot in the past and one in the future.  There are dilapited buildings next to fully restored one.

They have redone facades and grand entrances, like the railroad station.

Mean while the working parts have been neglected.

 Finding this ticket area in the station was a challange and as you can see it is falling down.  These braces have been there a long time.

 Hidden amongst all those beams is this sign. Fortunately most signs are in english.  But there was no ticket machine in sight. 

A kind local took me back into the hall and showed me the ticket machine. It is that little white thing on the stand.

The ticket lady was very helpful and friendly.  They may have a restored hall in the station, that no one sees by the way, but she is still using carbon paper.  Ask your grandmother and she will explain what that is.

They do have some modern stuff.......

 ....a McDonald takeout window (there are McDonald and Burger Kings everywhere)

....and California Coffee.

There is no shortage of name brand entertainment.  Brittany Spears is coming, and I am not making this up, the picture of her poster was "rejected by server".

including imitation country and western singers.

Around the corner from the apartment on this quite street was this nice restarunt that looked very local.  The food was great, but everyone was a tourist and speaking english. Most of them were staying at the same Hostel and the owner had recommended the place. And, yes, the Americans were still the loudest in the room.  Want to hear their live histories......

Remember that $14 beer in Paris? This whole meal and a beer was less than that.

For detailed info on Hungary's economy etc. click here: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hu.html

BUDAPEST DAY 2

Today is culture day so off we walk to the Grand Palace and museum.

Some of the palace is a little rough 

This is a stuck in the  past part. This is the xxxxx that carries you up to the palace. There is one lady selling tickets and when the people are waiting for the left car the whole place gets jammed up.

The President of Hungary has a office in the palace and this is his building.

 They did a ceremonal guard change for the President.

 These guys came out and marched around.

 This guy blew the horn.

 Then the doors opened and they went back inside.

So, I said, "what the heck, lets go see the Pres'"

So, we did.

He was not in because it is Sunday, but he has a great chandler and view of the city.

Now for your art lesson.

 Portrait of Gregory

There  was a large exhibit of art like these following ones.  I thought this was more stuff  I do not get.  But, I had entered the hall at the end.  When I got to the beginning there was an explanation that these were a mixture of real artist and autistic artist. I second look and it was really interesting. Some of the artist talked about being "trapped in me".

Beats me?????

Street Artist

 Since this girl was playing the flute and getting money (note she is in the shade)

This guy figured he could just blow and make sounds and people would give him money.

 This cowboy was singing great opera. (that sign does not reflect my opinion of opera)

At least we missed this guy

People and stuff.

 I have to walk way back over there

 If you do not what this is ask your parents.  Hint, you can not text from it.

 steak

 chef

BUDAPEST DAY 3


CLOSED ON MONDAY

BUDAPEST DAY 4


Today we decided to walk the Andrasst St. It is a world heritage sight and home of all the upscale stuff in this town.  At the end of it is a park and Hero's Plaza'.

It has fancy places like Rolex

Gucci

Amani

Fancy door knobs

Recently dead entertainers

Opera house

Art

Some flowers

A monument to the fall of the "Iron Curtain"

Money grubbers

More of those matte black Bentley's. One would have made a pimp proud with big shiny wheels and blacked out rear windows.  Just missing the spinning up caps.

Good restaurants

and these things

nice buildings are ratting buildings

monuments to hero's and hero's

then we headed back

this count down clock is pretty tacky on the British Embassey

And now we are off to the train to Bucharest