As
discussed in my previous email, here are the comparisons of Budapest
vs. Vienna, both of which are very similar to Prague but Budapest in
particular never gets as crowded! Thoughts on two cities ...
Budapest
highlights included The Barber of Seville at the State Opera House -- a
bit challenging sung in Italian with Hungarian translation, no
discernible air conditioning and rock-hard seats but a gorgeous venue;
visiting the largest Jewish Synagogue in all of Europe (#2 in the world)
where Hungarian priests risked their lives to hide the Torah from the
Nazis, enabling the original scrolls to be saved (talk about Righteous
Gentiles); the birthplace of Theodor Herzl; the Hungarian Statue of
Liberty ironically contributed by the Russians; seeing the city from
both the Buda and the Pest sides, divided by the Danube River. This
rebirth of this city is really in its infancy considering it was under
Communist rule until 1989 ...
So in comparing the two cities, both have gorgeous and historical
buildings but Vienna has a big graffiti problem (that just kills me)
while Budapest is more pristine and less bustling by comparison. If you
like to cook, buy saffron and paprika at the Central Market in Budapest
-- great, cheap, and plentiful. We had the most efficient and pleasant
train trip between the two cities with the cleanest bathroom and great
service, other than getting jacked by the two "porters" in the Budapest
train station (hard to argue with the guys AFTER they shlepped all 5
bags). On the other hand, the Nigerian taxi driver in Vienna spoke
fantastic English, was extremely honest, and a great lover of America
and Americans (sending his son to college in the U.S. next year).
Engaging people from all over the globe is a fantastic part of the
travel experience!
Vienna highlights
included desserts, of course (start with the REAL highlights); the
Albertina Museum (Impressionists); Jazzland (intimate club with great
music); Schonbrunn Palace -- royal family summer home which comprises
500 acres including the world's oldest zoo and could easily consume days
to see all; Vienna State Opera House and the Konzert Haus. There is
clearly greater wealth in Vienna, not surprising given it's history as
the Austrian-Hungarian Empire capital and being a democracy since 1945.
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| Schonbrunn Palace |
Warmly,
Teri B.
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