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Published: October 14th 2009
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House of Terror
The overhang spells out terror on the building if there is sun. As the title suggest, I did take the thermal bath in Budapest today, but I took water all day long. Everywhere I walked, the rain was with me blowing in my face, down my coat and all around. It has turned so cold and wet here that I had to spend the morning looking for a heavier coat. Ironically, I bought a Columbia Sportswear coat from Portland. Had to get a new hat and scarf, since the new coat is brown and the grey and black would have clashed. To be honest, I was just not into going out and doing anything today. It was more a day to stay in bed with a book and some wine. But, I forged on and made the day a success!
Took the tram across the river to Pest where I had lunch in a restaurant that the owners of the B&B frequent. They had talked to the manager about me, and if he was there I was going to check out the kitchen. He was not in yet, so I just had a great lunch. Had Goulash soup which is just the best, and then baked whole trout. This was actually served
Baked Whole Trout
As much fun to eat as it is to make?? with vegetables. I haven't seen many fresh vegetables or salads on this trip.
After lunch I took the tram further into Pest and then switched to the metro line that was built in 1896 to get visitors to Heroes' Square. It is so shallow that there are no ways to change platforms other than walking back up the 20 steps to street level and crossing on the surface. They no longer have the horses pulling the cars, but it's a very cute little metro line. I took this to the House of Terror, the former headquarters of the secret police as well as the Hungarian version of the Gestapo. It was yet another sobering look at what we have done to one another. There were barbaric prison cells, one that was a standing cell, interrogation rooms, gallows and so on.
Once I had finished that tour, I went to the Szecheni Baths. Budapest has multiple thermal baths, but this is the one the locals favor. It was only natural that I would seek out this one and try to muddle my way through the process of paying, renting swimming "drawers," a towel, and making the locker work. It
Costume Change
So glad I found a heavy coat that fit. was kind of challenging, but oh so very worth it. I took my shower and ran outside to the big pool and hopped it. It was raining quite a bit, but darn the water was nice. The weather was so cold and windy that the hot water created a mist that swirled and blew in the wind. It was so incredibly beautiful and relaxing to be in the water bobbing around looking through the swirls of mist. I am so glad I did this. Don't have a lot of pictures of it, but just picture me with a relaxed smile on my face blending in with the locals and other adventurous tourists.
Once relaxed and warm, I went looking for Heroes' Square from the city's 1000th birthday in 1896. The Millenium Monument was a bit photo worthy, but mostly I went just because I was there. Was a cold wet wet wet walk. Took the metro back to the tram and headed back to the hotel. Just messed around the rest of the evening. Have to save energy for my food walk tomorrow.
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mom & dad
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very interesting blog weather like that here makes italy look good