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Published: April 15th 2007
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frontage road in Szentendre So, back to yesterday...Fred was having trouble with jetlag, awoke early and left to work on email. I was getting up just as he returned to the room so when he chose to nap, so did I. Therefore, we did not leave the hotel until 11:00, missing the only boat of the day up to Szentendre (Saint Andrews...S.A.), a small 'oldfashioned' town just up the Duna (Danube.) These ferries run more often later in the season and not at all in winter, but in April, only the one. So we toddled on over to Batthyany Ter Metro/Train station and caught the green line to S.A. instead. After arriving in S.A. we realized that we could have easily made the 12 mile trek on bikes (we found a rental place near our hotel) and it would have been quite pleasant. Since we didn't, we suggest YOU do if you ever come here. The terrain is quite flat and if you have a bit of road experience, it would be a great way to do this trip.
We disembarked from the train (had to, it was the end of the line) and walked directly toward the river, not following the crowds. After
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Market crossing a somewhat 'main' road, we were in a park along the Duna with a cafe/pub of sorts (we did not stop...surprize!) We hopped on the walking trail leading into town and meandered our way to the ferry terminal where we found that we could catch the ferry back in the early evening. We left a bit confused as the language barrier had us not knowing if the ferry left at 4pm or the tickets began selling at 4pm. We figured we'd return just before 4pm to make sure. So we were off to the cobbled roadways of Szentendre!
S.A. is a pleasant town with the old buildings and cobbled roadways (how did they ever ride in wooden-wheeled carts on this stuff, walking is bad enough!!!) concentrated by the Duna. Lots of little souvenir shops selling traditional arts, liquor, and trinkets. Do not buy at the first stall you come to. Walk around, stop in all of the stalls, price/compare items, and go back to the place where you found the best price (this part os S.A. is quite small and makes it possible.) Shop keepers are willing to bargain so keep that in mind when you find 'just the
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Market 2 right' gift. 1,000HUF = approx $5 American. Tons of stalls selling gelatos, some nice etterem(restaurants), pubs, and several houses of worship round out the bulk of what there is to see here. Fred and I went into the Serbian Othodox Church Art museum to cool off. It was 500HUF each, but again, well worth it. We got our fill of seemingly air conditioned air while looking at the stunning collection of sacred art and religious objects stored there (No, there is no real AC, the walls of the building are incredibly thick and protect it from temerature changes.)
After wandering around for a while, eating a dull and unsatifying lunch at the Elizabeth Restaurant, and cutting some bargains for gifts/souvenirs, Fred and I returned to the ferry office. We purchased the ticket for the 5:00 sailing and headed around the corner to have seat and a treat while we waited. We found that people watching is a pretty good sport here and you have your choice of places from which to do it. We chose an etterem called The Corner Etterem...no opinion on the quality, as we did not eat here, just had refreshments and entertainment (peop watching and there
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Roads was an accordian player!) although Fred had had their gelato earlier and enjoyed it.
The ferry ride back was just what we needed and it gave us time to call around (work cell phone) and make plans for the evening entertainment. The view from the boat was pleasing, but not overly exciting, what made the trip was the cool wind that blew, we could get up and wander the decks, and it was only a slightly longer ride than the train up. From the dock we were able to catch the Metro back from Batthayny Ter to Deak Ter and walk to our hotel. A quick change, a bite to eat, and we met up with Jonathan (Fred's coworker) to go to the Roger Waters concert at the Sports Arena. We'd seen the poster ont he way to S.A. Fred and Jonathan, being big fans, could not pass up the chance to say they'd seen him in concert in Hungary. It was a great concert all around. Sound was good for an enclosed arena and the light/video show was pretty cool! Have to say though, what the Dixie Chicks said against the war was nothing compared to what RW said
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Serbian museum in both lyrics and visuals! I guess they just said it before anyone else so they caught all of the flack.
When leaving, there were only a couple of gates open to let people out. In the US there would have been some sort of law broken and hefty fine meted out, I am sure! This all took a while...and getting a taxi seemed nearly impossible! We walked 1/4 mile, called a taxi service and had a ride within 30 mintues, though. When we arrived at the hotel, we went to the top floor to look out at the city lights (worth it!) so bedtime happened pretty late (1:00ish.) That made for a late start today, but that is another story for a different time. It is toasty out and the park is calling my name (in English so I can understand it.) Visontlatasra- Ei
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Lynn B
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It's fun to read a blog from someone I know for a change!
I'm so glad you're doing this....I caught up with your adventures tonight...Budapest sounds great....we hope to get there some day....although I did get worried when Fred couldn't find vegetarian fare at first.... How long are you there? Lynn