Budapest, Hungary

Shaun and I made it to Budapest at about 8pm and made our way to the Buda Base Hostel. Immediately after checking in to the hostel, a homey little place with 10 beds, we were invited out to Hungarian Folk Dancing. We learned a very different, but fun style of dance where everyone holds hands in a huge circle and stomps the ground among other types of footwork exercises. Exhausted from Oktoberfest we came home pretty early where I fell asleep before my head even hit the pillow. Now, I'm finally caught up on my blog so I can speak in present tense. This morning I woke up early to try to fit all of Budapest in one day since I am behind on my intenerary. I set out alone since Shaun and I are breaking off as he is heading to Spain and I am heading to Serbia next. I started with Castle Hill Fisherman's Bastion and then made my way to the House of Terror. The House of Terror was a museum describing the Double Occupation of Hungary by the Germans and Soviets and then spoke of communism and the Secret Police. Shocking was the detailed explanation of how communism was forced upon Hungarians and anyone deviating from Soviet rule was deemed a war criminal, tortured and killed. After a somber look at the misfortunes of so many Hungarians I felt a strong sense of sympathy for the citizens of this city. Looking at older people and knowing what they went through such a short time ago taught me to respect the people of Budapest even more... Next I went to Heroes Square which, built in 1886, commemorates the Millenium Reunion of this ancient city. I walked through and visited one of the eight famous naturally heated spas/baths in the city, Szechenyi Furdo. After seeing the bath I had an excellent Hungarian meal consisting of Bay Leaf, Bean and Sausage soup; Beef Stew on Noodles; bread and beer all for 1500 Forints or $7.50. How I love the prices in Eastern Europe. After stuffing myself I went to the Gellert Furdo, the city's most famous thermal spa. I ran around trying out all the different baths which included an outdoor wave pool, an indoor swimming pool surrounded by ancient columns, a large thermally heated hot tub, a mineral pool which smelled like menthol and a steam room which scalded my lungs when I breathed. Now I am waiting for a night train to Beograd (Belgrade), Serbia. I won't lie, another night train makes me nervous, especially from one war torn Eastern European country to another and the fact that I am travelling alone again...