Back in Budapest

Passing through subway ticket stamping machine, I felt a greater police presence watching over the pedestrians.  With each station stop came more pedestrians, and more watchful eyes, and I was not sure what to expect next.  Finally, arriving at the final stop just under the park which the bus home would depart from, police were decked out in full riot gear to greet the mass of people departing off the subway.  This was not a protest, but a European football (soccer) match, and it happened the bus back to Bratislava was departing from the same location and time as the game.  Actually, getting to the bus was easy, and the bus was great, with personal TVs and tons of movies for each leather seat, but thank goodness I was wearing neutral colors, or it could have made things a little tougher.

Situated about 2.5 hours down the Danube River, Budapest is the capital of Hungary, and home to the 7^th largest population in the EU with 1.7M people.  Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Heroes' Square and numerous spas and baths.  Budapest was formed back in 1873, when the cities of Pest (mostly flat land), Buda (hilly), and Obuda (oldest city) united to form one, and became the capital of Hungary.  On the Pest side, you will find the neo-Gothic Parliament, the biggest building in Hungary with its 268 meter length, which contains the Hungarian Crown Jewels.  A few blocks from the parliament is Saint Stephen's Basilica, where the Holy Right Hand of the founder of Hungary, King Saint Stephen is on display. Another historical museum is the House of Terror, which at one point was the venue of the Nazi headquarters for the area.  The museum now contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist dictatorial regimes in 20th-century Hungary and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured or killed in the building.

Connecting Buda to Pest is the Chain Bridge.  Built in 1849, it was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest.  At the time of its construction, it was regarded as one of the modern world's engineering wonders.  It has asserted an enormous significance in the country's economic, social and cultural life, much as the Brooklyn Bridge has in New York and United States of America.  A steep climb up the hill, and you will find Buda Castle, built on the southern tip of Castle Hill, bounded on the north by what is known as the Castle District, famous for its Medieval houses, churches, and public buildings.  Further down the hill, you will find a small church built into the side of the rocks, as well as the world-famous Gellért Baths.  Ever since its opening in 1918, Gellért Baths remains one of the most beautiful and most photographed baths in Budapest. References to healing waters in this location can be found from as early as the 15th century. The hot springs that feed the thermal baths rise from deep within Gellért Hill, and the Turks used them during the 16th and 17th centuries during their stay in Hungary.  While it sounds crazy, one of the best ways to relax the bones and muscles is getting out of the warm baths, and quickly jumping into the cold tub for a minute (if you stand the sudden change), which I tried multiple times and felt great.

Budapest is a beautiful and fun city, and visiting it a second time was perfect.  At least I knew not to use the hotel phones which last time surprised me with a $600 phone bill for three calls.  Just be sure to ask to leave the cucumbers out of the guacamole; it really does not go well with the rest of the dip.

Finally, a quick shout out to the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, with Marian Hossa and Michal Handzus representing Slovakia.  I am looking forward to seeing the cup when they continue the tour with a couple stops in the Slovak Republic.  While the time zone differences were tough, I was up early to watch the OTs and most important final period of game 6.