Budapest 1

Budapest 1

KLM has the best business class!  We were in the “dome car” to get a better view of the clouds.  We had an enormous amount of individual space and large compartments by the windows to keep our personal items.  Dan shared the lobster appetizer with me, and we had a traditional yummy Dutch dish for the main course.  Instead of an after dinner drink, I topped off my meal with an Ambien and awoke to breakfast and landing.  We had an hour layover in Amsterdam, which was perfect. 

We were in Budapest over 12 years ago, and the changes are obvious.  The people no longer have the dour Communist demeanor, which they still retained in the 1990’s.  There are many lively outdoor cafes and restaurants and a vibrancy to the city lacking so many years ago.  The women still can’t compare to the Italians, but they have more style than in the past.  The “uniform” seems to be jeans with legs tucked into boots topped by short trench coats and neck scarves.  While it was very pleasant in the daytime, it cooled off at night.  Even Dan returned to the hotel for a jacket.  Speaking of which…..don’t tell Dan, but I literally brought about 8 jackets—3 outer and 5 to go with outfits!   My excuse is that I can’t stand cold!  The reality is I need to make a fashion statement!  Below is a poem I wrote a few years ago:

Packing

I promise not to pack too much

I really, really try

But even in Hawaii, there could be a snowstorm on Mount Haleakala

 So to my swimsuits, shorts, and muumuus, I add

A parka, gloves, muffler, and hat

I promise I will take only what I need

I really, really try

But even in Alaska there could be a heat wave in July

So to my jeans, sweaters, and heavy jackets,

I add a-sundress, (will one be enough?) sandals, and shorts

I promise to pack only the essentials

I really, really try

But on the cruise, there are two dress- up nights and a costume party

So to my workout clothes and lounge wear, I add a full length gown, a cocktail dress, stiletto heels, a dressy purse, and shawl

I promise to pack clothes to mix and match.

I really, really try

But will there be laundromats in Croatia?

So to my five pairs of slacks, 7 tops, 3 dresses, I add 2 more of each—just in case

No matter where I travel, I will really need my entire closet with me

So although I promise not to pack too much

And I really, really try

I cram my suitcase with clothes for all contingencies

And set off for either Argentina, Antarctica, or Africa

Prepared.

Despite the cool weather, we ate outside, and somehow it was comfortable.  Each table had a blanket available for use.  After walking around the area near our hotel, we chose a strudel restaurant because it had 4 ½ Trip Advisor stars (my bible away from home).  I had yummy chicken strudel; Dan, of course, had a steak!  Both were excellent.  We washed them down with an excellent Hungarian beer and split an apricot strudel for dessert.

How to describe our hotel?  First of all, on Trip Advisor it rates #3 out of all the many hotels in Budapest and we got it at a good price.  We were upgraded to a super deluxe huge room with enormous bedroom and bathroom.  The bedroom has 6 comfy chairs, a canopied bed, great lighting.  The ultra modern bathroom has a fabulous bath (I tried it out) and a separate shower and toilet so that one of us can s---- while the other uses the sink.   In addition, the large entryway has a good-sized closet, safe, coffee maker, and all imaginable amenities.  But…..

The décor!  It’s as if the TV program Design Star had a contest to see who could come up with the best design for a whore house, and this hotel was awarded the losing entry.  The chairs are covered in cherry red chenille.  The small sofa and matching lamp are in a garish black and red design.  The curtains and bed canopy are cut out circles of white with dotted swiss swags.  On the plus side, there are black out shades that open and close at a touch of the button, high celings, and good heating/AC.

Why am I writing all this frivolous stuff?  Well,  Dan and I woke up at 4:30 AM and couldn’t go back to sleep soooo you get to share in my stream of consciousness…..