Budapest - Day 3

We got up early today for our private tour of the Hungarian Parliament. We woke up to even more snow than there was yesterday!!!

The Hungarian Parliament is the #1 attraction in Budapest, as it is highly regarded by the Hungarian people. Designed by Imre Steindl, who won an open competition to build the Parliament, died 5 weeks before it was finished. This is very sad, as it took 17 years to build and he missed the finish by a mere few weeks. The Parliament is the 3rd largest in Europe (England, Berlin). It is over 30,000 square feet large and has 691 rooms! The main entrance of the parliament is guarded by 2 huge lions, which was inspired by London's Houses of Parliament. It was here that the uprising in 1956 happened, where the Prime Minister and the Hungarian citizens watching his speech, were shot at by the Communist Party, killing 70 people. You can still see the bullet holes in the Museum across from the Parliament. As it stands now, there are several memorials for the 1956 uprising. The grand staircase is spectacular, including three outstanding celing frescoes. You can also view the crown jewels, which worn by St Stephen (whose Royal Right Hand is at the Basilica). We also walked through the National Assembly Hall where Parliament sits.

After leaving Parliament, we headed for the Great Synagogue. This is the 2nd largest Synagogue in the world (it can seat 3,000 people) and it is so beautiful! The museum attached to the Synagogue was almost as moving as the Synagogue itself. Full of Jewish relics from the early 18th century, I was especially found of the chanuka's and prayer books. The last part of the museum was dedicated to the Hungarian Jews that lost their lives in the Holocaust. The museum was full of large pictures, newspaper clippings, old Jewish Ghetto signs, clothing from the Ghetto's. It was very moving to know that the Synagogue was the center of the Jewish Ghetto in 1944, also serving as a detention center. Over 70,000 Jewish citizens lived in this small area, 20,000 perished.

Once we left the Synagogue, we headed to Varosliget (the city park). This is where the locals come to play, wide streets, lakes, cafe's line the park, making it an absolutely beautiful area! Andrassy Street is the Park Avenue of Budapest, with beautiful mansion like homes and tree lined streets. We decided to visit a Turkish Bath called Szechenyi. This bath opened in 1913 and is a vast complex of indoor and outdoor pools, which include Hungary's deepest and hottest thermal baths. This was a classic Hungarian bathing experience....I LOVED IT! Imagine 3 large, Vegas style pools that are all hot tubs. They even had chess tables inside the baths!

On the way back from the baths, we figured we should do some souvenior shopping. Believe it or not, it has not been easy to find good quality (mid-range priced) souveniors in either Vienna or Budapest. Either they are extremely pricey or of very low quality. Also, both places are known for antiques and ceramics, which isn't really our thing. However, Hungary is also known for their crystal and glass (like Prague), so we picked up a few hand made Hungarian pieces that will compliment the house nicely!

We ate at a seafood restaurant down the street form our hotel, called Ocean Blue; however, Jeff wasn't impressed so we ended up ordering grilled cheese, pomme frites, a couple glasses of Veuve (Linda's fav) and chocolate mousse cake from the Four Seasons when we got back!!!! It was yummy!!!

We are leaving tomorrow, heading back to the Chi...I'm very sad, but I do miss my babies (Josie, Jorgie, and Jackie). It was a wonderful trip and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I don't know how I could have gotten anything better...I have the best husband ever!!!!!!