Budapest, Hungary

Day 6 and 7: Budapest, Hungary

This is one of the locations I was looking forward to the most.  Out of every place we had on our itinerary, Budapest was the one I was not going without!!  I am not even sure why I was so adamant on going but once we arrived- I am SO glad I was.  I honestly believe Budapest is my most favorite city in the world and would LOVE to come back for more time.  Two days was NOT even close to enough. 

Our apartment was right in the middle of the shopping square- Vörösmarty Square
… and it was absolutely amazing!! 

Széchenyi István tér- Roosevelt Square (on the corner we turned at by the apartment)

We arrived close to lunch time so after we put our stuff in the apartment and got situated, we went out into the square and instantly started looking for somewhere to eat.  We decided on eating food from the stands just up the street- one for Steve and I that had homemade flatbread pizzas and the other right next to it for the kids.  They each had something different, Aydin had roasted chicken and potatoes, Morgan had a pretzel that was larger than her face and Liam ate a hot dog (well Aydin ate his food… the others picked at theirs).

Vörösmarty tér-  

An upscale area filled with cafés and shops.

After lunch, we made our way over to the Basilica of St. Stephen Cathedral to meet up with Mike and Rokzanne.  

Vörösmarty tér

As we approached the Cathedral- we noticed a mass of people and camera/news crews all around.  We were told that a famous Hungarian goalie who was a World Cup Champion had passed away and his service was being held there.  We walked around the church, waited for a bit and heard from the Doiser’s that their lunch was taking longer than they expected so we decided to walk around, sight see and meet up later. 

Szent István-bazilika- Basilica of St. Stephen 

The neo-Renaissance cathedral

We started walking towards the river.... 

stopping to play in the fountain...

Matyas Templom- Matthias Church

Walked across the Charles Bridge

Halászbástya- Fishermen's Bastion

 Is a neo-Gothic chalet was built as a lookout.

Looking at Buda side- Várhegy- Castle Hill

Poor Steve had to carry Liam the whole trip- every time Liam wanted to tap a nap... Steve carried him.  I would do it for a little while but dang that kid is heavy!! 

Szechenyi lanchid- Széchenyi Bridge 

 Is an imposing bridge with many interesting details that symbolize its importance. Also known as the 'Chain bridge'.

Budavári Palota- Buda Castle

Parliament:

We took a bus/train up the street to see what was further up the river before heading back to the Pest side of the river.

We then decided it would be a fun to go on a boat cruise- see the sights from the water so we began our walk towards the Erzsébet híd- Elizabeth Bridge (Wire cables) to get on a river boat.  

 This is a suspension bridge connecting the shores of Danube in its narrowest point

Over the bridge…

Getting ready to board the river boat tour

Széchenyi Bridge

Országház- Hungarian Parliament Building 

Inspired by the British House of Parliament built in the Gothic Revival style. This is the central landmark of Budapest. 

Margit híd- Margaret Bridge

Connects the shores with Margaret Island

After the cruise was done, we were all hungry so we were on the hunt for a place to eat.  While walking down the VORSMORTY district, we ran into the Dosiers- how random but great… we can all eat together.

Steve chose dinner tonight- and it was great!!

After dinner- we wanted to walk around the water and get night pictures of the Parlament (something we were told we had to do) and are SO glad we did!! 

While walking along the water, Aydin asked why there were so many shoes laying around… I was so overwhelmed with emotion and mostly grateful for him noticing.  The Shoes on Dupount Bridge was the one and only thing I HAD to see while in Budapest.  It is a memorial tribute to those individuals- men, women, and children who were sacrificed during the final months of the Holocaust and something I felt I could not leave without seeing.  
All day we had been keeping an eye out for it- but figured we would get to it tomorrow and then Aydin found them… my only wish would have been to have been alone for this moment- one that I would have been able to sit and pay respect, contemplate the amount of hatred that many witnessed and reflect on the life of freedom we have been blessed to have- one many individuals fight to keep and many have given their lives guarding.  This was the highlight of my trip- the most emotional and humbling experience but yet one I want more of (we ended up going again the next day so I could get day pictures).

Cipők a Duna-parton- Shoes on the Danube Promenade Memorial 

This 'statue' commemorates the Hungarian Jews who were shot on the bank of the river Danube during WWII.

We then took a few pictures of the Parlament- and were ready to go back to the hotel.  It was so cold and windy… we were not dressed for the weather!!  
Steve wanted to go to the bridge and take better photos- I am so grateful he did- but as soon as we began our walk towards the bridge, I instantly knew we were not going to make it- so Rokzanne, all the kids and I stayed behind while the men walked/ran to get pictures.

Finally we were all united- and walked as fast as we could back to the apartment to get warm and some sleep (it was around 11:30- midnight by the time we were walking back to the apartment).  
Today was an amazing day.  I am not sure how it can get better but I can't wait to see what we will accomplish tomorrow!!