If it's Wednesday...it must be doors

The doors are so delicate in design then the two Greek type faces on either side - it's just an odd combination, but I liked it.

OK - so last night I had a temperature and simply didn't realize that Wednesday was NEXT - and I posted the wrong post. Did anybody notice? Should I have kept quiet? You were just too kind to call me on it :)

Still in Obuda

The name of this area is Kolosy Ter (or Square) and this is the entrance of the indoor green grocer's market. See the fountain on the right of the door?

The photo below - if you look at the left corner of the row of shops, the corner is the bakery. We will visit there too - and I've been nasty enough to take a picture of the goods. :)

The Arcade

Not a particularly attractive building across from the bakery, lining the main road, is this one story building with store fronts. This one just wanted to be photographed. Doesn't it make you smile and almost smell the fragrance of those bulbs?

Wienersnitzel

That is the Hungarian translation of the 'Becsi Szelet' on the side of the building and that is what this OBuda restaurant specializes in.

Obuda is now also part of Budapest, the oldest section of the city with lots of low buildings that still remain in pockets of the neighborhood. The area I've visited was Kolosy Square where some of the original buildings remained, others were rebuilt in similar fashion and others are new and multi-story over towering the others.

Day Trip to Lake Balaton

Although not exactly beach weather, it was still nice to get away from the city and get a brath of fresh air in Balatonfured. There is a beautiful promenade along the shore where you can enjoy the water, fresh air and the scenery. And below a friendly wine store window display. Inviting.

Gift Shop Window

Such simple beauty in the window of this gift shop - what must they have inside if the exterior is already so pleasing? Wish all of you a wonderful week-end!

Art or Unhappy Memories of Mother?

Forgive me, I know it is simply my imagination that is not keeping up with the fine things in life - but occasionally I find it difficult to appreciate what is tagged as 'art'. This piece is sitting just down the street from the Basilica (you can see the cupola in the bottom photo) and is at the cross roads of bus and metro stations.


This a comparatively new park so it is doubly disappointing to see that the tiles had already fallen off of the side along the sidewalk.

Meet you under the clock

Although this is not THE 'date clock' in Budapest - this too is a lovely place to meet your date. The building that you see only the edge of is shown below in (almost) in it's entirety. The street level was whisked away by the passing cars so I've simply omitted it.

If it's Wednesday...it must be doors

Thought it was worth backing up a bit so you can see where the entire door and the setting it is situated. I'm having fun with these doors. :)

Same park, only in the light.

We've seen this park the other night with night lights - and here it is in the daylight with one of its lovely statues of a shepherd playing to his sheep.

Looking at the photo below, you can 'reconstruct' what you were seeing in the dark with the lights shining.

Downtown - side street

Another lovely facade on an insignificant side street. The red cross you see is a sign for a fondue restaurant that was almost open. It was a wonderful thought and occasionally one could find it open, but it seemed as though the French owner could not really decide if he wanted to be in business. It had been closed now for over a year.

Sushi Anyone?

Home delivery is now available even for sushi in Budapest. It is surprisingly often that I take advantage of this opportunity. Heading into the week-end (you can tell it will be lazy) I'm ready to enjoy my free time with tasty morsels.

Shall we ride?

This is the entrance of the yellow underground - the oldest on the continent of Europe - at the Oktogon, heading toward Szechenyi baths. The thought of being up to your ears in hot water (indoors or outdoors) sounds tempting.

Discarded Twins

As excited as we all were a few weeks ago to take home a shapely, fragrant tree - right now, people are equally anxious to discard them quickly. I generally keep the tree up as long as the needles are willing to stay - and these do look like they were willing. Do you still have your tree up?

Trinity Square Monument

Castle district still - Trinity Square is directly in front of St. Matthews cathedral, steps away from my favorite pastry shop and a wonderful wine cellar.

If It's Wednesday...it must be doors

This is still one of the doors I've photographed in the Castle District in the snow. There was something Romeo & Juliettish about this door with the balcony and the patina discoloration.

Hints of Christmas Past

My poinsettia survived the cats this year and still looks great. For some reason my cats have the urgent desire to SIT in the middle of it and had killed plants in the past within hours of my getting it home :)

New Restaurant

There is a new 'fast food' restaurant in town called Vapiano's. After several visits I still can't decide whether or not I like it. You must stand in line with a tray and order your pasta, pizza or salad then get your drink(s) - while you present the plastic card at each post and they electronically charge your purchase on it. On your way out the card is read and you pay for your food.

It is a fresh, nice looking place - they have good food and wonderful wines, but it is difficult to have a conversation when someone must stay at the table saving the seat while the other goes to pick up food. So it is a mixed blessing. I do enjoy the fresh pots of rosemary and basil they have on the tables along with oils and vinegar.

Sunday in the Park

Had dinner with a friend last night and walked by the park - it looked so pretty I thought I'd make an attempt to show it to you. I've photographed this park before when it still had flowers and foliage - quite different from now.

Labirinth Entrance

There is a set of tunnels under the streets of the Castle District. Among the things found there was a hospital for the political echelon of the Communist era. There is a segment open to the public called the Labirinth. There are guided tours through the tunnels and rooms or once a week you may go down there and the lights are turned out - you are handed a lantern and a map. This does not sound so difficult until you realize how limited your senses are without light and how active your imagination becomes with shadows all around. It is a fun date at the end of which there is a bar. Civilization at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you for your visits and have a wonderful week-end. I'll do my best to do better in visiting your blogs. I promise.

Riders on a Storm

We are still in the Castle District and this noble soldier is standing guard at a street crossing. Don't you think he could use a mug of hot wine?

Facelift for a Classic

The main tower of the 'Coronation Temple' (St. Matthews Cathedral) in the Castle District is receiving a face lift. The photo is from front of the Ruszwurm pastry shop (my favorite in Budapest).

The castle district looked great under the blanket of pure white snow. By the way - this is post 100! Whew :) Are we having fun!?

If It's Wednesday...it must be doors

Walking through the snow on New Year's day in the castle district I've found some lovely additions to the 'doors' series.

Gourmet Special

Folks, after reading the daily bulletin from another expat site (Chew.hu), I simply had to preempt todays post and insert their photo. Why should I be the only person to have sprayed coffee on their monitor today!?

Bon Appetit!

The original caption from Chew.hu: Via Pestiside.hu reader P.M. we get the above pic of a rather unappetizing menu offering, taken at the historic Hunguest Hotel Palota out in scenic Lillafüred. ("Quite an interesting 'inter'-course offered by the cook along with the traditional halászlé," is how P.M. puckishly described it.) Mercifully, a quick re-translation of the original Hungarian reveals it to be nothing more than a harmless bowl of rooster soup with home-made "snail" pasta. Then again, judging by some of the other cock soups that have been sprung on our readers, you can probably never be too careful.

Sentiments

A little blurry perhaps in twilight, this is a statue of Hungary's president during the 1956 revolution - Imre Nagy. A man of small stature, he was placed on this footbridge and his image is preserved for the future on a somewhat grander scale. This tiny square is close to the parliament (he is keeping an eye on it), close to the US Embassy and the Danube.

An interesting footnote to this is that the man who rode into Budapest on the Russian occupying tanks and remained the leader in Hungary to the bitter end of communism - Janos Kadar - had ordered the execution of Nagy. That not being quite enough, had him buried wrapped in barbed wire and face down. During the decades since the liberalization of Hungary, the remains of Nagy had been re-buried properly. On the other hand, if I remember correctly, sometime during 2007, the grave of Kadar had been vandalized and his and his wife's bones had been taken from the grave.

The Chain Bridge Up-Close

With my back to the tunnel and funicular, this was the scenery. What is most appealing (aside from the size of the bridge) is the light and shadow. Buda is in shade while Pest is sunning its face. As beautiful as the Chain bridge is, it is surprising how narrow it is. Naturally, when considering its age, it was suitable for horse drawn carriages - but it is accommodating only one lane of traffic in each direction and a pedestrian walk way on each side.

Taste of Indonesia

A charming little restaurant in Buda, is close to the hospital and public transportation. It is a serene island with an atmosphere of a place far away. Its owner is a former singer from Indonesia who is now married to a Hungarian and exchanged the place of wonder for strange Budapest. Love, they say, is blind - but her restaurant is excellent.

Glimpse of things to come

I know, this is not a December photo - but it was taken sometime in October which was unusual enough for the grass. I simply wanted to see something promising and green (other than pine needles), and this courtyard in the 13th district is a nice reminder.

Buda

Continuing on Clark Adam Square - to the left of the tunnel is the funicular that moves on tracks up the hillside to deliver weary (or in my case, plain lazy) travelers to Castle Hill. Above to the left is the Royal Castle that now houses an exquisite museum and directly above perched on a pole is a statue of the Turul bird, a national symbol of Hungary.

If It's Wednesday...it must be doors

It is the first Wednesday of the year, let us be generous and show twin doors. :) Not as extravagant perhaps, but they do look charming.

Happy 2008 to All of You!

This had been purposefully a very low key holiday for us. I needed the rest, the cats needed the security of my presence and so all of us got what we needed. Can you think of a better way to spend the first day of the new year than with nothing to do but spoil yourself? Well, maybe you could - but this was on top of my list. Happy New Year everyone and thank you for stopping by.

Photographing my cats is one of my favorite - this and the photo I have of them in the side of the blog are my favorites.

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