On Easter saturday, I rose early at approximately 3am and had to shake myself from the clutches of sleep. After washing, dressing and closing the wheeled wonder suitcase, I was all set for the drive to Bristol airport.
Nelly was my travelling companion (no we did not have carpet bags and tweed suits) and we drove in silence and watched the bright moon illuminate our way like a lucky charm.
Budapest was mine for 4 nights and after successfully finding the hotel, it was about set back to the centre of Budapest with travel cards allowing the freedom of the city for the next 3 days. The metro was fabulous as was all the public transport, and the only worrry was knowing when to get off as the prenounciation of Hungarian by the train driver was almost un-intelligable.
Ascending from the depths of the metro by escalator gave a 'Londonesque' fi
rst impression of the city. The architecture, however was on a very similar par to Prague, in the Czech Republic. Both Cities have in common the Danube river, which flows through the very heart of the Capitals. The river itself if no longer 'The Blue Danube', but a very wide, fast flowing monster and I am sure would graps and hold onto anyone falling into its rapid grey water.
The river divides Budapest, and the settlement was originally two towns. Buda and Pest. The increase in technology and human abiltity has seen both settlements linked by a series of bridges again not unlike over the Thames in London.
Pest, is the side with all the shops, markets, bright lights and bars. Buda is more stately, and occupies the high ground of the steep hill leading up to Buda Castle and The Royal Palace. Which was undoubtably chosen due to its nature strong hold abilities. A pleasant funicular ride to the top of the hill gave great views of the parliament buildings on the opposite bank in Pest. A very impressive building, adjacant to the Chain bridge all of which simply added to the quaint London feel of the city.
In the castle area, is an impressive gothic church of St Matias, and just beyond this, and overlooking the city is 'Fishermans Bastion' a Baroque Folly, of fairytale minature castles that act as postings along a walkway. 
On the neighbouring hill, but on the same side of the river, sits the Citedella. A much older fortress and proudly the higest point to view the city. Its well worth the climb for the vista, or alternatively use the trolley bus to cross the river, and get the 25 bus up the hill.
From here you get the best view of the city right out over the Danube all the bridges, Buda Castle, the Parliament buildings and the city itself, with Margaret Island stretching out in the distant. Here we took photos discussed whether to go into the fortess and decided 
against it.
We then descended towards the Geller Hotel an old plush building with the thermal baths inside. Unfortunately these were shut over the easter break. Walking back over the river on Elizabeth Bridge returned me to Pest. Here a leisurly walk through the shops was conducted and back towards the Spring festival being conducted in a square of the city.
Once back in the square Hungarian music dancers were a welcome sight and we join the Easter fun with tourists and locals dancing and joining in, in the sun. The dancing was a bonus and the young adults danced in costume and treated the tourists to a sight they were paying £15 for a folk evening every night in the City. It was also another oppiortunity to sample the national beer and food being cooked over open coals and ordered by pointing fingers and smiles. The horseradish is something truelly to try .... it makes your eyes water.
A small craft stand was welcoming people to make dried flower bouquets and theses were finished off with reads and the leaf bows with expert precision of the person behind the stall. You choose your flowers, watch and learn and take the process as far as your abl
e before help is offerred to you.
At other stalls, people aid and show children how to decorate easter eggs and all the while the air was filled with the smell of charcoal and food and the carried sound of live hungarian music and the comforting background burble of crowded voices.
A highlight for me was a venture into the jewish quarter and then into the synagog itself, the largest one in Europe. Here at the very back of the building was a court yard. Where in its centre stood a memorial tree. This was a tree crafted of metal and on each of its riveted leaves had the engraved name of someone who had died during the holocaust in Hungary in the second world war. Many people came into this courtyard. And yet seldom stopped and looked close enough to undertand its poignant significance that to so many I am sure make their personal pilgrimage.
St Margarets Island was another significant finding, and a tram ride to the floating central park of Budapest, made a good day great. Here it seems both locals and tourists converge on the island to drink in the beauty and greenery offered by the island. Here we hired a pedal car of adult proportions and proceeded to make bloody fools of ourselves round the island. Not only would it probably have been unsafe for hire in the UK as my seat rocked back and forth in a very worrying manner, this was somewhat made even more obsurd by the fact it was bright pink in colour and had a yellow sunflower on the bonnet. The car was so heavy to pedal that it moved at only a snails pace faster than those walking.
The Market Hall in Budapest was also a real discovery, especially for anyone who is wanting to take home food related presents. Here I picked up Goulash paste and mix for a fraction of the price being charged in the touristy shops around the centre. Its also worth a look at all the fruit and veg and goods on display, and if your hungry, eat where the locals do at a fraction of the cost of anywhere centrally located in the city.
Budapest has alot to offer and plenty to see and do in four days. Equally there were enough places to simply sit and drink in the atmosphere as well as the fine beer and watch the world go by in one of the many bars or cafes.
Cool blog, and I love reading about your time in Budapest. I'd love to go there someday myself, as it is the land where my grandparents came from.
Posted by: Mike Kessler | May 20, 2006 at 11:34 PM