9-30 (Fri) writting from Budapest
We were supposed to leave on the 10 a.m. train for Sarajevo but we couldn't find a way to Athens from there so we have completely changed our plans. We are leaving tonight at 11:30 p.m. for Sofia, Bulgaria. We will be there for 4 nights and then fly to Athens.
Yesterday we took a cruise on the Danube among other things. We wanted to go to the Jewish quarter/museum etc but everything is closed until Sunday due to the Jewish New Year. We were so sorry we missed it.
Gotta run and get ready for the next adventure.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
We had a very busy day. We started off with a tour of Parliment, fabluous. It looked like some of the churches inside, lots of gold and very fancy. We toured St Stephen's Cthedral and even went to the top most point in the tower. We had a great view looking down on the city. We walked down Andressy St and stopped off at the House of Terror. This was the building where the Nazis and then the Soviets tortured people. It was quite graphic especially in the basement where the cells and torture rooms were. We walked on down to Hero's Square and looked in on the public baths and spa. One thing about the Europeans, they don't care what they look like in a bathing suit, they are just there to have a good time. The heck with what anyone else thinks.
Tomorrow is our last day and we have it packed full of things to do.
I love Budapest!
Tomorrow is our last day and we have it packed full of things to do.
I love Budapest!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
9-27 (Tues)
We took the night train from Krakow to Budapest Sunday night. Barbara almost had a heart attack when she saw our hotel. I think it was a room in some lady's apartment. We were at odds with each other the whole day because of that room. Beside walking around the city and getting familiar with things we were looking for another place to move to. We hadn't made a decision on anything by 7:00 p.m. when we went back to the "Carmen" where we were staying. We decided to go back and take one place that we had looked at. As we were walking along the street I saw a sign that said "hotel" so we decided to go take a look. Turns out not only did we both LOVE it but Barbara had stayed it in when she was here many years ago.
Today we tried to get in to see Parliament but by the time we finished lunch all the tickets were sold. We're going first thing in the morning. We walked across the chain bridge today and to the Buda Castle. We also went to see the Hospital in the Rock. This is an underground hospital that was used during WWII and also when the Russians were in control.
Wish I could send pictures. LOVING Budapest. Hate to leave but that won't be until Fri.
We took the night train from Krakow to Budapest Sunday night. Barbara almost had a heart attack when she saw our hotel. I think it was a room in some lady's apartment. We were at odds with each other the whole day because of that room. Beside walking around the city and getting familiar with things we were looking for another place to move to. We hadn't made a decision on anything by 7:00 p.m. when we went back to the "Carmen" where we were staying. We decided to go back and take one place that we had looked at. As we were walking along the street I saw a sign that said "hotel" so we decided to go take a look. Turns out not only did we both LOVE it but Barbara had stayed it in when she was here many years ago.
Today we tried to get in to see Parliament but by the time we finished lunch all the tickets were sold. We're going first thing in the morning. We walked across the chain bridge today and to the Buda Castle. We also went to see the Hospital in the Rock. This is an underground hospital that was used during WWII and also when the Russians were in control.
Wish I could send pictures. LOVING Budapest. Hate to leave but that won't be until Fri.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
9-25 (Sun)
We spent most of our day at the Schindler Museum today. It was so well done. It doesn't just tell about the factory but the time of occupation 1939-1945. It showed what life was like during this time and during the first days of freedom in the new communist post-war era. There were posters, TV screens with survivors giving their testimony, there were sounds that made you believe you were in certain places such as the sound of trains as they took the Jews to the camps. We must have spent at least 4-5 hours in the museum.
Later we went to the old Jewish Quarter going in a Synagogue and walking through a cemetery. After lunch at 5 p.m. we walked over to Hero's Square. In the square are big empty chairs which reminds one of all the furniture that the Nazis threw out the windows and into the square as they were evacuating the ghetto.
We are currently waiting on our taxi to arrive. We're taking the night train to Budapest at 10:00. It's a ten hour trip.
We spent most of our day at the Schindler Museum today. It was so well done. It doesn't just tell about the factory but the time of occupation 1939-1945. It showed what life was like during this time and during the first days of freedom in the new communist post-war era. There were posters, TV screens with survivors giving their testimony, there were sounds that made you believe you were in certain places such as the sound of trains as they took the Jews to the camps. We must have spent at least 4-5 hours in the museum.
Later we went to the old Jewish Quarter going in a Synagogue and walking through a cemetery. After lunch at 5 p.m. we walked over to Hero's Square. In the square are big empty chairs which reminds one of all the furniture that the Nazis threw out the windows and into the square as they were evacuating the ghetto.
We are currently waiting on our taxi to arrive. We're taking the night train to Budapest at 10:00. It's a ten hour trip.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
9-24 (sat)
We spent most of today touring the Wawel Castle. It was first built in the 1300's but has burned and been rebuilt several times.
We have seen so many georgous churches, they are dripping in gold. Although they are jaw dropping I still think the winter palace in Russia and some of their churches beat all.
We went to one late this afternoon and were able to see a wedding party just coming out of the church.
Tonight we had a beer and toasted to our stay in Prague and Krakow. Tomorrow we take the night train to Budapest.
I wish I could put on pictures . . . I'm still working on it.
We spent most of today touring the Wawel Castle. It was first built in the 1300's but has burned and been rebuilt several times.
We have seen so many georgous churches, they are dripping in gold. Although they are jaw dropping I still think the winter palace in Russia and some of their churches beat all.
We went to one late this afternoon and were able to see a wedding party just coming out of the church.
Tonight we had a beer and toasted to our stay in Prague and Krakow. Tomorrow we take the night train to Budapest.
I wish I could put on pictures . . . I'm still working on it.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Fri. 9-23
Today we went to Auschwitz/Birkenau. We caught a two hour bus ride for $4.00. The concentration camp is a symbol of horror, a memorial to man's inhumanity to man.
We were on an English speakers tour - we all had headphones so it was easy to hear the guide.
We saw the original gas chamber and crematory, the holes where they dropped the cyclon B into the chambers, the executation wall, the camp commandoant
s house where he lived with his family right next to the crematory, block 11 whichwas the tourcher/death house, the hospital where no one wanted to go.
After a two hour tour we got on a bus and went to the Birkenau camp. This was much bigger than Auschwitz - the men lived in wooden barracks and the women in brick. We saw a "cattle" car that brought them into camp and the "selection" platform. It gave you an erie, sad feeling to be standing where so many people had been murdered.
I have done it again . . . I fell flat on my face tonight when we were walking home from the train station. I had a bottle of water in one hand and my camera in the other. It was dark and the streets are uneven. I was so lucky I didn't knock my teeth out or break my bones.
The only reason I'll be happy to leave Krakow is to get out of this hotel. We haven't be4en able to sleep because it is right on a VERY busy street. We hear the trollys, the police, motorcycles and people partying half the night.
Today we went to Auschwitz/Birkenau. We caught a two hour bus ride for $4.00. The concentration camp is a symbol of horror, a memorial to man's inhumanity to man.
We were on an English speakers tour - we all had headphones so it was easy to hear the guide.
We saw the original gas chamber and crematory, the holes where they dropped the cyclon B into the chambers, the executation wall, the camp commandoant
s house where he lived with his family right next to the crematory, block 11 whichwas the tourcher/death house, the hospital where no one wanted to go.
After a two hour tour we got on a bus and went to the Birkenau camp. This was much bigger than Auschwitz - the men lived in wooden barracks and the women in brick. We saw a "cattle" car that brought them into camp and the "selection" platform. It gave you an erie, sad feeling to be standing where so many people had been murdered.
I have done it again . . . I fell flat on my face tonight when we were walking home from the train station. I had a bottle of water in one hand and my camera in the other. It was dark and the streets are uneven. I was so lucky I didn't knock my teeth out or break my bones.
The only reason I'll be happy to leave Krakow is to get out of this hotel. We haven't be4en able to sleep because it is right on a VERY busy street. We hear the trollys, the police, motorcycles and people partying half the night.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
I wish I could send pictures but my computer is so messed up. I'm using one in the hotel now.
Prague is like a fairy tale city. The building are so elaborate and beautiful. We took a day trip to Kunta Hora. One of the things we saw was the Church of All Saints. It was unique because the elaborate decorations were made from the bones of 40,000 people. The chandelier was made from every bone in the human body.
Tuesday we took the night train from Prague to Krakow where we are now. Neither one of us slept on the train even though we had a sleeper to ourselves. After we arrived and checked into our hotel we walked down to the old town square. It is also quite a lovely place. As in Prague going inside the churches is unbelievable. A church can look so so on the outside but when you go in you can't believe your eyes.
Today we took the local bus to Wieliczka where we toured the salt mine. We were almost 400 feet underground. It first opened to tourists in the 1700's. It is no longer in operation except for tourists. The miners from years gone by have carved human figures out of the salt. There was a huge chapel and all the statues of Jesus etc are made of salt. Even the chandeliers are of salt. It was fasinating.
Tomorrow we are going to Auschwitz.
Prague is like a fairy tale city. The building are so elaborate and beautiful. We took a day trip to Kunta Hora. One of the things we saw was the Church of All Saints. It was unique because the elaborate decorations were made from the bones of 40,000 people. The chandelier was made from every bone in the human body.
Tuesday we took the night train from Prague to Krakow where we are now. Neither one of us slept on the train even though we had a sleeper to ourselves. After we arrived and checked into our hotel we walked down to the old town square. It is also quite a lovely place. As in Prague going inside the churches is unbelievable. A church can look so so on the outside but when you go in you can't believe your eyes.
Today we took the local bus to Wieliczka where we toured the salt mine. We were almost 400 feet underground. It first opened to tourists in the 1700's. It is no longer in operation except for tourists. The miners from years gone by have carved human figures out of the salt. There was a huge chapel and all the statues of Jesus etc are made of salt. Even the chandeliers are of salt. It was fasinating.
Tomorrow we are going to Auschwitz.
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