Budapest, Hungary

[Kristie]

I got my passport back (YIPPEEEEE )....

so i'm wondering if anyone's been to Budapest and if it'd be worth it on a 24 hr layover?!

main reason i ask is because JFK-PHX loads aren't very good which might strand me/us in JFK...so i'd rather get some opinions on the city before going because maybe i should hold out for a 48 hr layover instead of this particular 24 hr layover.

yea yea yea....not working now is making the back of my head say "go go go" though...HAHA

[Kristie]

Well, budapest would have worked if not for the JFK-PHX leg...doug didn't really want to get stuck in JFK when all he wants to do is come home... so we scratched out a new plan and came up with a compromise.

We're gonna head to Vienna, Austria next week (during his off week) and spend 2 days there.. that way, he's not working the flight so it's a bit of R&R (enjoyment) for him and I still get to go somewhere.

YAY! haven't been to Vienna yet..but we have a JC friend that lives there and since he's gonna be avail, he's gonna show us around!!

[Chi829]

K- I have two friends that I used to work with that go to Vienna EVERY year... it is their absolute FAVORITE place on earth!

[Mrs.Alchemist]

I've been to Budapest. (My huaband and I met in Hungary.) It's a very beautiful city... so... whenever it works out that you get the chance, I say, "Go for it!" The rest of the country isn't as beautiful, but Budapest is really something! As for Vienna, I've only been to the airport, but it's one of the cleanest ones I've ever seen!

[Mrs.Alchemist]

Kristie, I heard that you're going to Hungary. You have to tell me how you liked Magyarorszag!

[Kristie]

I haven't been yet. that's next month!!

I had a choice of Istanbul, Turkey or Budapest and decided on the Budapest trip!! So this time, I'm definitely going!!

When doug went last time, he said it was really difficult to read the writting much less what was on the menu for lunch/dinner...any way, that you can think of, that we could get at least a little understanding on the language?

One of the guys on JC said we should bring our swimsuits...I can't imagine it's still that warm to have the pools open?

[Mrs.Alchemist]

Well, I've been to Budapest & Istanbul and they are both GREAT cities! As for the Hungarian language... Good luck! It's impossible! The hand writing IS difficult to read in and of itself, add the difficulty of Hungarian to that, and forget it! The good news is that there are many people in Budapest who speak at least some English, and ever more who speak German. (How's you German?) You could try listening to a tape/CD to learn a few words. (I like the Pimsleur CDs for ANY language, but I'm not sure if they have Hungarian.) Anyhow, "thank you" is "Koszonom" (with two dots over every O). Just to demnstrate how different Magyarul (Hungarian) is, "hello" to one person is "Halo" and to two or more people it's "Halosztok."

As for the suits, Hungary is known for bath houses and warm sulfur baths. I went to some in a city called Becs (pronounced baych) in November when it was cold outside. The water is so warm that it doesn't seem cold...

Well, I'd be happy to answer any other questions...

[Kristie]

ok...we are definitely going to Budapest this coming week, Thursday...

what are some of the "must see" locations? historical or architectural?

Also, would it be worth the effort to try one of the public baths? After reading about them, it sounds kinda cool.

Any type of liquor, beer or wine we should try? the book didn't really specify whether it's more beer country or wine country.

Our german is pretty darn good now, so i'm not too concerned with the language except for reading because doug tells me hungarian menus are a bit difficult to figure out.

Thanks for the help!

[Amanda]

Enjoy your trip! Can't wait to see pictures!

[Mrs.Alchemist]

Well... You must try "Palinka"!!!!! So many fond memories.... sigh...

I can't even remember the names of all of the places to visit, to be perfectly honest... You can take the vilamos (tram) all over the city, as well as the subway/metro. There's beautiful buildings on both sides of the river... but I think that one of the best views is to be seated on one of the benches on the banks of the Danube at night time... I can still picture all of the lights reflecting on the water. Man, I can't wait to go back to Hungary again one day... Take a lot of pics!