May 28th, 2011
Woke up and went to breakfast right as they opened at 6:45 AM. I t got myself organized, checked out of the hotel so I could spend the day touring. I would later check into the boat. It is definitely spring here in Budapest which means yesterday was high 70’s and sunny, today was cloudy and a high of 60. I was a bit relieved – I brought more warm clothing than I did shorts. I was worried I was going to burn through my shorts in a couple of days and then not have anything to wear. It cooled down immensely.
I thought I was a pro at packing and although I am pretty good, I realized that it doesn’t matter what I pack if I don’t think about hat I should take when I leave the hotel. Late in the morning it started to rain. It was a downpour to be honest, where was my umbrella and rain ponchos? In my suitcase that was being transferred to the boat. I am so glad I packed those items so I could not use them when I needed them the most!
At any rate, I set out for another day on the Hop on/Hop Off city tour. My destination was St. Stephens cathedral. Along the way we went up to the highest summit in Budapest where they had stunning views and a statue holding out an palm frond. The guide said, it was their statue of liberty.
It was on top of this summit that I learned about Gellert, an Italian monk who had came to Hungary under the invitation from the King. During a pagan uprising, he was rolled down the steep hill (cliff) in a spiked barrel. Not a good way to die.
I noticed both today and yesterday that it seems as if there is always the smell of cigarette smoke in the air. As an ex-smoker, I tend to be sensitive to this but it was more than just being sensitivity, I was constantly smelling cigarette smoke and just about everyone walking down the sidewalk were smoking. I realized that when it comes to smoking, we in the USA are in a different place and although I hated all the laws against smoking when they passed them, I would have never been able to quit if everywhere I turned there were smokers.
I am not an overly religious person but the Catholic church has been a major influence on the arts and architecture around the world. Just looking at the building from the outside makes it tempting to go in. St. Stephens did not disappoint.
After the Hop On and Off bus tour, it was time to transfer over to the boat That is when the real fun began. The room for a river cruise room is pretty good. I have no complaints so far. I had a really nice day.
My Room!
Sites of the city at night from the boat!
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