October 5 Budapest

Last night, around 930, there was a big fireworks display out in the middle of the river. We were in our room reading and all of sudden it sound like World War three. We opened the curtains and WOW! It lasted probably about ten minutes. Don't know the occasion but it was spectacular.

Going to head out for some hotel breakfast in a few minutes and then

take our first trip on the street cars as we attempt to find our way to the meeting point with Mike and Kay at 11:30.

Rode on the train over to meet Mike and Kay at this huge market...about one square block, three levels, built in the late 1800s. Inside are all these stall selling everything from live carp, sausage made from donkey, peppers of all kinds, any type of vegetables, chickens with unlaid eggs still inside along with the head and feet...quite an experience. We spend quite a bit of time here. Mike and I take a break and have a beer while the three do some more shopping.

We journey about two blocks down the rod and go to one of their favorite restaurants. Kay and Shirley have stuffed peppers with potatoes, Carroll has a crusty duck and Mike and I have a pork knuckle. Really good food and hearty.

After lunch we hop on the subway and go to the Hero's Park that is a large memorial to the heres of the Hungarian republic up until about 1840. Quite impressive although I have to admit I have never heard of any of these guys.

The Hero's Park is part of a much larger park that contains a castle as well as the Budapest zoo. We check out the castle, it is not real old but ornate, afterwards we stop for a bit of refreshment. The subway takes us back to near the hotel and so we stop in there for the happy hour. There is a group of women from Colorado who have just arrived and they were impressed with the walkability of the city. I kind of like the place it is clean and the people are friendly and most speak English.

The decision has been made, we will have Japanese food for supper. There is a sushi place about three or four blocks down so we walk down there and have a very good sushi, sashimi, and tempura. Very good but the service was not too great.

We agree to meet at 11;30 tomorrow morning.

3.8 miles and 9,799 steps..