So I woke up today and the lady at the hostel said to take my umbrella, its going to rain today. Yeah it has rained a bit on my trip, probably to make up for the perfect weather I had on every other holiday i’ve had. But its just been light drizzle. I don’t believe in umbrellas, so took my jacket.
I walked down to the Hungarian Parliament. Its a very cool gothic looking building. You can walk all around it but there are guards and police keeping an eye out for anyone you steps past the single chain fence. In front of the parliament was an outdoor photo exhibition which had some really good photos from Hungary and surrounding regions in Romania as well. Certainly glad I stumbled upon that.
Hungarian parliament building
It was looking gloomy, but I felt like rain was overrated. I walked down to the Danube, which was not blue by the way. I was going to walk to Margitsziget Island and then all hell broke loose as i was drenched instantly. the jacket was fine except i was no where near shelter, other than parliament, which was well guarded. I was halfway along the walkway. I headed south to the chain bridge, hoping to find some cover eventually. I’d like to point out my cameras waterproof features were put to the test and both lens and camera passed.
Anyway, it slowed down a bit, I walked down a street and found the nice looking St Istvan basilica. There was a Cafe or 100 there and I sat down for some hot coffee. Yeah i found the cafe where the owner had his collection of heavy metal band “Man O War” hanging from the walls. I drank my coffee quietly, paid quickly and left without causing any trouble.
Anyway, I’m now waiting for maybe a hint of blue sky to appear, to head of again. tomorrow is meant to be cloudy in Budapest. The plan is to visit the Buda side of the river tomorrow. Maybe go out and get some night shots tonight as well. for now you’ll have to make do with the limited rain spoiled photos I have.
St Istvan basilica
I’m also finding I’m running out of Hungarian Forints rather quickly. Its 270 Forints to a euro (about 200 to an aussie dollar). However you think 10,000 forints will be enough, only to find dinner was 3000 forints and coffee was also not cheap. In fact in Slovenia where the euro is used, I think prices were cheaper. The apparent reason Hungary is not using the euro is fear that everything will be more expensive, yet they already are with their own currency. I smell a political fear campaign. How i miss the political fear campaigns of Australian politics, but not missing the shame in the fact many believe the political fear campaigns.
The weather fined up this afternoon, allowing me to get some nicer photos. I even sat on the banks of the Danube and watched the sun set over Buda. Just me, my camera and some music from my iPod.
Hopefully good weather tomorrow for my visit to the Buda side of the Danube.
Heroes square
Szechyeni Bathhouse