smatlanek

Buda lies on the hill side of the Danube and Pest, the flat area, lies opposite. The st of the name is pronounced with the 'shh' sound. Goulash is a soup not a stew. I only saw Bobosh Torte once and did not taste it. There was an opportunity to shoot with a bow and arrow (as Hungarian warriors are depicted) on the hill during the Goose Festival. Many buildings have been carefully restored. Many more are in need of attention. May 30 The seven day visit to Budapest needs to be summed up in one blog. The arrival day counts as day one only because the arrival was at such an ungodly hour ... 08:30 ... thankfully not too early for the man Sandor from the Blue Danube Hostel to pick me up in his ... read more

The word hall in medieval times translated to salt. I have had a fascination with salt ever since my Father made me a model of a salt mine as a Christmas gift. “Hall's Old Town is the mother of all medieval city centers.” Like Luebeck in Northern Germany loved how the streets meandered one into the other past church spires and brick works a thousand years old now holding either a hair salon, bakery or paper shop. “The two marvellous squares and the labyrinthine layout of the side streets are unique in the world.” I walked from my hotel, Gasthof Badl, on the other side of the River to the cemetery past an active convent. In the cemetery I spied a nun caring for the sisters laid to rest in the cemetery. A baker advertised strudel ... read more

The first day was V ERY busy so events in piont form. Hotel Evsen reached by public transport from airport - metro first then a change to tram - helpful men at turnstiles - get tokens 2turkish lira each- machines gives change- insert red token and you are on your way. Each stop announced in turkish and english and scrolling info rolls inside the the tram wagon. If you have a map and familiarize yourself with the name of the end station of your route you are well on your way. No time for digs at Toronto Transit! Breakfast always eaten on the roof of the hotel and selection each day can be counted on being a repition of the day before .... eggs, sausage, carrot sauce, black and yellow olives, sliced cukes and tomatoes, bread, ... read more

I am sure mass workshops in friendliness and extending feelings of welcome have been used to instruct all and any citizen of Istanbul in making 'the tourist' feel comfortable. Most intensive programmes seem to have been extended to the carpet sellers. These guys have it down to a fine art. Unsuspecting easily swayed 'tourists' enter at your own risk! It always begins can I give you my card and you have to go into the shop to get the card. Then comes the glass of tea and they are on a roll. Prices go down; 600-545-475-375 shipping is included; of course we take VISA! I listened to two intensive spiels... engaged in three short conversations without going into a shop and point blank refused many others. I have my silk carpet from Kashmir, apparently not as ... read more

Sights seen .... facts read ... trivia learned ... All the pictures are from day three at Floriade, spent at Villa Flora where the competition flowers are housed and where other international countries displayed their seeds, desalination methods, happiness quotients, the availability of herbal spas and festivals celebrated with flowers The animals observed up to now include, at the camping, in a small enclosure include a mule, some brown chickens with feathers right down to their feet, and two goats. It was at the entrance of the campground on the first day that I saw the sheep being herded into a transport container by two border collies. Have since learned that the sons of the owner of the camping and their wives all have outside jobs. On the way to the Floriade can be seen the ... read more