Keyswench After BLUE MAX ADVENTURES: 2013-7-14 - Budapest

Budapest was the end of our 11 day journey from Bucharest. After two days in Budapest & the new passengers are settled in, we'll begin the next phase to Amsterdam.
"No Hungarian city can compare to Budapest, in size or importance. Hungary's captivation capital combines Old World Charm with a cosmopolitan lifestyle. But it is the beauty of Budapest -made both natural & manmade - that sets it apart."..." Hungary is right in the heart of Europe, landlocked Hungary is bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia Montenegro, Croatia & Slovenia...it covers 35,919 square miles, makng it slightly smaller than the state of Indiana & slightly larger than Scotland...The country is divided in two by the Danube. Eastern Hungary is mostly flat plains. In the west, rolling hills & low mountains form the Transdanubian region. The Carpathian Mountain rise in the north. More than half of Hungary's land is arable; its rich agricultural industry can feed the entire country...their currency is the Hungarian forint (Ft);...they have a Parliamentary Rebublic. An elected president is chief of state & a prime minister is head of government. Parliament consists of a 386-seat house, called the National Assembly (Orszaggyules). Voting age is 18...its' population is 9.9 million; 90% Magyar, 4% Gypsies; 2% German, 2% Serb, 1% Slovak, 5% Romanian...Education is free & compulsory from age 6-14. Most students go on to seconday school for technical training or study for higher education...Religion; Catholic 54%; Protestant 19.5%; None/other 15.5%; don't wish to answer 10%"

We had a free day as the new arrivals went on the shore excursions we went on yesterday. It was interesting that the horse show that was included in our tour (those of us who boarded in Buchrest) but it was an optional tour for those just joining us. We had a grand day on our own just wandering, doing silly things & not visiting one single cathederal or palace.

Pedestrian walk-way - shopping, restaurants etc.

This was a gorgeous crystal shop with very interesting, local & eclectic items downstairs

Downstairs @ the crystal shop

This was one awesome Christmas shop-I wish I could have captured the entire store

We stopped at an outdoor cafe to rest & get something cool to drink. This very pretty girl came out of a shop that sold "Seacret- minerals from the dead sea"- a product I've never heard of. She demonstrated the use of a nail buffing block & cuticle oil. Now I don't usually give in to this type of 'selling' but after using the products on my nail, I was impressed. The lines & ridges on my nail disappeared & the nail looked like I'd just had a manicure. I returned to the cafe to tell & show Wayne - the lady sitting next to us told me that these shops are in the malls in the US & she loved the product. (I live on a boat - what do I know ? & haven't been in a mall in maybe 10 yrs) Wayne returned to the shop with me. I bought 2 sets & got one free. That's when I saw what looked like a fish tank. "what's a fish tank doing in a store like this?", I asked. She explained it was a new idea & spreading all over Europe & in the USA. These toothless, tiny voracious carp exfoliate the skin on feet & legs. They're called Garra Rufa or 'doctor fish'. She gave us each 20 min free in the tank.

Wayne was freaked out by it & got out of the tank. I thought it felt pretty neat so I stayed in the entire 20 min.

Wayne & his old lady

"The Busó festivities at Mohács in southern Hungary are a six-day carnival in late February to mark the end of winter, named for the busós, frightening-looking costumed people (traditionally men) wearing wooden masks and big woolly cloaks...and...

Buso Carnival in the Hungarian town of Mohács, which marks the end of winter, dates back to the 16th century, when Hungary was under Turkish occupation. Then the men wore fur and placing wooden masks to frighten and disperse the Turkish conquerors."

Masked Devils, Buso Carnival in the Hungarian town of Mohács

the burning of a coffin symbolizing winter on a bonfire in the central square, and feasts and music throughout the city (picture taken from a web site)

In the basement of the crystal shop

THE LEGEND

"According to legend, after the defeat the Hungarian people fled the battlefield and the town of Mohács to seek refuge in the nearby woods and swamps and lay hidden. On one night, while they were sitting around the campfire and discussing how to make new league against the Turkish foes, they were visited by a Šokci man who gave them counsel.
"On a dark, stormy night that is soon to come, you can return home with a vengeance and restore peace to the land. Craft new weapons and carve hideous devil masks for your people, and wait for the night when a masked warrior will come to you and lead you to victory."...
A few days later, as promised by the old man, there came a dark, stormy night, and a masked warrior of tall and robust stature marched into camp. The people stood in readiness to put on their masks made of gnarled wood, and follow the command of the newcomer. They lit fires and swarmed into Mohács making as much noise as they could.
Upon seeing this, the Turks were terrified and thought that they invaded the land of imps and demons and fled the town in hysterical fright before the sun came up.
This possibly fictitious event gave birth to the tradition of Busójárás (Buso-Walking) that Hungarians celebrate in February every year. It is like a pagan ritual whose purpose is to chase away winter and let the sunny season set in."
We returned to the boat walking along the river. We saw what appeared to be a nice looking floating restaurant called "the Spoon" & decided to take a break from eating on the boat in the crowded & often noisy dining room

There's no mistaking whos bathroom this is

A very enjoyable day together without being part of a herd of people. We hurried back to the Aegir as she was casting off at 9pm. We took our wine to the upper deck to see the magnificant city views a night.