24 hours in Budapest Wed12sept07-Thu13sept07

Thur13sept07
I strolled back to the Castle District on the “Buda” side this morning, taking in its majesty on the hillside and wandering the local neighborhoods en route. Confession: While both Vienna and Budapest have substantial, economical and efficient transit systems, this adventurer is decidedly mass transit “challenged” (the timetables, layouts, etc. take on a seemingly indecipherable quality for me, especially in a foreign language!). That said, I enjoy walking, and saw more on foot than in transit modalities, so put several happy miles on my shoes this week [smile].

The Castle Cave/Labyrinth was intriguing but a bit cheesy, with an odd intermingling of real and “tongue in cheek” type “exhibits”. Still a fascinating stroll in and of itself, holding its mystery in that the “tour” is self-guided, leaving guests to “guess” at some of the story and lore within.

Above ground, enjoyed the sunshine and magic inherent in stepping into history once again in the surroundings there.

With the arrival of late afternoon, another departure, riding from Budapest to the new Habitat project in Hajdu to lend a hand to Shandor, the new project manager who’s trained a bit with us in Szarvas. The Hajdu project is an ambitious one for its first year, 4 duplexes with 7 families already chosen, and work well under way with the assistance/affiliation HFH Hajdu has with the local government there.

A meeting of minds on site to review the “game plan” for tomorrow, a late dinner, and last minute purchases of libations/other supplies to stock the site and we were ready for bed and the coming day.

Citibank, a major donor of funds to HFH Hungary plans to send 4 corporate teams to Hajdu on four consecutive Fridays beginning with the 14th, and Shandor welcomes the support and assistance. It will be his first “command performance” as project/construction manager, and much rides on this from the perspective of the national HFH office. So off I go hi-ho for “round 1”; I will be tied up with teams in Szarvas for the remaining Fridays scheduled in Hajdu, so will be there to do what I can to help Shandor establish a pattern/routine/style for himself. He’s young, a good man, quick to learn, though a bit quiet… a trait sure to shift as he steps fully into his role there.

Wed 12sept07
The return bus trip to Budapest was a reverse of our route to Vienna two days prior, uneventful, accompanied by cool temps and intermittent clouds (and an obligatory passport re-entry stamp to complete my reason for this excursion!). Back by 1300, I walked along the Danube to Hotel Csaszar (CHAH-sar) to offload my bag, and set out to Andrassy ut.3 for a two-hour city bus tour of Budapest, my first real look at this center and jewel of the country. While the tour was somewhat underwhelming (the narrative was intermittent and far less informative than Dublin or Vienna), it still offered a valuable flavor of the city, Hero’s park, Citadel, Parliament and the Castle District.

Interesting facts…
… Budapest is the combination of the cities Buda and Pest. Buda comprises the hilly and more aristocratic/well-to-do side of the city overall, the hills of green referred to as the “lungs” of Buda.
… Parliament and the Castle District are most visually striking, “accessible” in part due to their proximity to the Danube, though in truth, parliament requires advance reservations to view. Next time!
… Comprised of columns and statues fronted by a vast open square, Hero’s Park has a decidedly Romanesque feel. It is embraced by museums on either side and a park to the rear, and “caps” a boulevard of historical houses/architecture.