A perfect ending

Forget my negative comments about Budapest. After the r&r in the countryside, the charm of this 19th century city reached out & grabbed me. Maybe that's because I'm in the very center of the city or because I know my way around or maybe there's just more sunlight & crisp air to alter my opinion.

I started today by taking the metro to margit island. It's smack in the middle of the danube on the north edge of the city. They're repairing the bridge, but it's open to people, buses and trams. Walked over, took a tram back. It and Varoshliget are the primary respites for the very urban citydwellers.

Then I went back to Central Market to finish my souvenir hunting & have a last surfeit-of-abundance Hungarian meal--stuffed chicken leg quarter. It tasted like my grandmother's chicken, the kind you go out in the chicken yard & kill yourself.

Next up was a bus to Buda for the views of the Parliament building--Renaissance architecture constructed in the 19th century, i think. it sits right at the river's edge and is larger-than-life. It and all the buildings on either side of the Danube, plus all of the bridges are illuminated at nite.

I walked across the Chain bridge from Pest to Buda last night. It was magical--like something out of a fairytale. And so romantic. No wonder couples of all ages here stroll--wherever--holding hands. Photos can't capture the beauty the lights create. It's as if someone sprinkled the entire city with glitter.

If Parliament was stunning last nite, it was also pretty impressive today. It sits in Pest and I took the requisite photos from buda today. Then I walked to the Royal Palace, also in Buda. It houses museums today. I did the art museum. Very well presented. Before I left, I listened to some classical pieces by a flautist, violinist, bassist & pianist. Their free concert was in the museum's oratory.

Took the bus back to Pest & got off one stop early, at Deak ter, a large square right in the center of the Centre City, or Belvaros. What a delight--a concert in the park!! A soprano and a baritone singing light opera and rousing Hungarian songs. Wow.

Then on to Vaci Utca (fashion street) to spend whatever money I had left. (Don't worry, Philly, I've saved some back.) Had a dark dark Belgian ice cream/gelato/deliciouso & coffee. Then to dinner in my dream kitchen with granite countertops and 13-foot ceilings: big salad from the central market livened with hungary's famous Pick sausage. It was a good choice.

Then one last stroll on pedestrian Vaci Utca--it's just a block from my apt.

I hate to leave. But maybe I'll return.

Home tomorrow.



Hungarian food is over the top in terms of richness, amount, and starch. By the way, Hungary has it's share of chubbolas.

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