Sunday, September 22. Budapest

Well, I guess I wasn't as perky as I thought yesterday, since I had the wrong date. Today is the real 22nd.

Spent the entire day walking Andrassy Street, the main upscale shopping boulevard. It was closed to traffic for a major street fair -- an arts festival, crafts sale, food stalls and beer gardens. It ended at Heroes' Square where a temporary horse race course was setup: The Pallio of Hungary. Of course we had stopped along the way to watch performances, one of which could rival the Cirque de Soleil. And of course we stoppedj to sample the local food. The avenue ends at a huge city park, which is home to an art museum, zoo, and the famous Szechenyi Baths. We both agreed this park rivals Tivoli Gardens. Because it was a special event weekend they offered free tours of the entire spring-fed thermal spa (in Hungarian -- you get what you pay for!). Anyway, we saw the outdoor pools, something that looked like a mikva, but was probably for some kind of immersion therapy, the underground pipes feeding the thermal pools, the events center (set up for a wedding), the gym, etc. Charlie might try to get back for a swim if we have time one day.

 

We are currently resting our weary bones in a little pocket park killing time waiting for the ballet (Giselle) to begin. While we always manage to miss an actual opera, we never miss the Opera Houses in the cities we visit. This park is not far from the big Dohany Synogogue (on tomorrow's agenda) and we're facing an apartment building with a sukkah set up on the little balcony. I guess it's because we often travel in the fall, but we never seem to miss them either.

Later: ballet was amazing, as was the theater. Came home for tea and cookies and bed.

20,490 steps (8.8 miles) plus a few hours standing around watching street performances and waiting for the horses to come by.