A Perfect ending…Relaxation in Budapest :-)

A perfect day in Budapest! No rushing or running around which was a real treat, I actually woke up before my alarm, a first on this trip 🙂

We met an older man from Anthem, AZ in the elevator ride on our way to breakfast. Crazy small world! This breakfast buffet was elaborate. Btw….just to clarify the luxury we are experiencing is budget style luxury as I saw the Ritz, Intercontinental, and Marriott yesterday on the river and thought about what that style trip would be like here, not necessary for me as I’m more about my adventurous places with genuine character. I like those 5 Star establishments for a night or 2 in the USA for sure. Of course when I win my lottery ticket it would be ok 😉 These trips are more exploration to feel like a local as opposed to the typical tourist in my opinion. Okay…..back to breakfast, we eat the usual, plus the added bonus of yummy pancakes with real maple syrup. Wait for the day to begin upstairs in our plush lobby area.

We are graciously scooped up by Endre, our private guide for the 3 hour Jewish History walking tour. We really lucked out as he is our favorite guide yet and a handsome 31 year old with the most beautiful crystal blue eyes. Don’t worry I let him know his eyes sparkled. He is such a sweet lovely guy who we learn is Jewish from his mother’s roots but he was not really raised with religion. He answers all my inquisitive questions…..he has an older sister whom has one child. He was very sweet when referencing his nephew, of course I shared about my cherished group of 6. He too lives on the Buda side but with his girlfriend in his grandparents flat to which he inherited. He just so happens to be good friends with our Segway guide we figured out and I realize how this big city is in reality a small world. He knows everyone as we walk these streets. We learn it takes 2 years to be a tour guide, which he became at age 18. He took an extra class to be certified for the Jewish quarter. The rabbi quizzes you to ensure ur qualified. He explained how all the Jews that do this have some tie/connection yet don’t choose to talk religion amongst themselves. It was a very interesting topic as they are not proud to be Jewish due to the war, holocaust, and history. Like you are proud within yourself but not outwardly. It was bizarre yet intriguing to me. He shared that he partook in the Birth Right Trip , so I asked if that made him feel more connected. He shared that he felt something in Jerusalem, but the rest of the trip was just a trip to another place. He shared that his grandma survived the times in Hungary during the war and would not ever speak of it. His mom has never been to these synagogues he took us too today yet makes the traditional Jewish food but, for Christmas. His girlfriend was like why are we eating Matta balls in the soup, lol

We approached the Dohany Street Synagogue, which is the largest in all of Europe and the second biggest in the world, with the first being in NYC. We learn something new every moment here, simply amazing! It is now considered Conservative yet was initially reform. It seats 3000 people but is not an active temple and truly for tourists. It was built in 1859 in 5 years time. Outside of it in like a courtyard there is a memorial garden, which is really a burial sight. 2821 people are buried here although, only half were identified. Such sad history when you truly think about it from a realistic perspective. It’s more like learning historical facts until you look at plaques with familiar names. All Jewish names you would all recognize. We learn about how so many changed their names, actually had to pay to do so and some may have received bad names if they couldn’t afford it. As we walk out of this area we are greeted by the most glistening beautiful structure I have seen in all of our tours…..a silver huge weeping willow tree sculpture that has individual silver leaves attached to it with peoples names inscribed. Wow!! Built in 1991, We were taken back by this art piece and representation of once again a touching meaningful way to honor the lives lost by such horror in the Holocaust. Did you know Estée Lauder was a Hungarian Jew? I was unaware…..she helped along, but this beauty was sponsored by American Actor, Tony Curtis. I had no clue who he was but my mama got excited by his name. Once I learned Jaimie Lee Curtis Is his daughter I could identify. It’s a beautiful memorial tree representing the Tree of Life and has 7 main branches to also tie in the significance of the number 7.

Then next to this structure is 4 granite slabs with peoples names once again , yet this time it’s the names of all Hungarians whom are not Jews but who helped save many lives. Similar to the Schindler Factory concept yet those were polish people, these are Hungarians. Raoul Wallenberg was the leader here responsible for saving tens of thousands of Jewish lives. So truly fascinating! Selfless human beings are everywhere in the world, I just love it…hearing these stories on top of the dark ones warms my heart.

He shared that their are 21 active community’s currently, approximately 100-150K Jews still in Hungary. He stated 800K lived here prior to 1945, after the war 200k survived. He says only 14 K are truly practicing. We saw many Hasidic/Orthodox type people in this area which, he shared don’t live here. They come to visit or have conferences…they are either from the US or Israel. There were 3 glatt kosher restaurants in this area so that these visitors can eat as well as the practicing Jews who live near by. The Chabad is run by a rabbi from NY and has been here for 30 years. He used to travel back and forth weekly to NY for 2 years until the Mikva was completed as family was most important and the wife had not moved yet due to the Mikva…..what you do for family and love, crazy! We took many photos. We both had to borrow a Shal to cover our shoulders to enter, reminded me of the rules to enter Bali temples too. Except for their it was skirts.

He shared a story of a friend who did not learn of her Jewish identity until age 29. Her mother never told her until then as it was sort of unspoken and a secret as to not cause her issues. He said it was a shame as she missed out on Birth Right(the free Israel trip) as you need to be 26, I think? The religion here is mostly Catholic and Protestant. All of these stories remind me why we don’t discuss religion as people in society. So many differences, beliefs, etc….he made it clear why and how it can cause so much upheaval and has in our world. Like the reasons behind so much conflict.

When we leave this Synagogue we walk to a bakery to taste a Hungarian Jewish typical cake called Flódni. It is a layered pastry cake- Plum Jam, walnut mixture(my fav), apple(like haroset), poppy seed. Yummier than it sounds, I’ll include a photo :-). We sit on the back patio, drink coffee and get to enjoy real conversations with our new humble well educated friend. I feel like a local hanging out with him. The main reason why I enjoy traveling longer in one given spot to really get acclimated instead of feeling like a total tourist. We get special treatment when with him for sure.

Now we are back on our feet, Boots is content today minus the high heat and humidity. I think it was 89 degrees with 70% humidity. He said the hottest day of the summer, lol
We have many breaks and are the least active today of any day for sure. We venture to another synagogue, this time an orthodox one that is active today. This one was much smaller and beautiful. He again fills our brain with knowledge. I’m on brain over load by now…..story after story. He says you have to ask questions to learn hence why this place has so many unusual symbols everywhere to get the younger children curious as to continue teaching and learning always. The tour is complete! We praise Endre and tell him how much we enjoyed him and our special afternoon. He directs us to our chosen lunch restaurant, Mazel Tov. An Israeli place I wanted to try after reading about it. Yummy Schwarma and Hummus with another mule. We have hit our wall and are both tired. With no real set plan or schedule we walk back to hotel. Again a longer walk than estimated and Boots is tired and our body aches. We stop for water at a grocery and she spotted the special pack of gum I must purchase….photo attached. Dora Gum……can you believe it!?! Lol

We collapse in our beds…..the room is ice cold which is a welcomed treat….heavenly! I forgot to mention we learned this morning the massages were all fully booked at every bath house we inquired. 🙁 I still desperately needed to experience a true Hungarian bath house after reading all the hype. I convince Boots we will rest and venture out one last time. We get a taxi and get to go over the bridge to the Buda side, a first which I’m glad we did….gotta get the full experience, right?

We get lucky and they can accommodate us both with a 20 min foot massage and we get tickets to enter this interesting place. As you know, Boots is not ur typical go with the flow type. I finally got her to unwind….she was worried about the locker, hair getting wet, what to wear home, etc…..I said have you ever camped? Let’s just be okay with not feeling comfortable and know that all will be ok in 2 hours once back in hotel after who knows what is ahead, she went for it! We both relaxed……it was super wonderful. This place was not the most organized or informative. We had met 2 English woman in the locker room who were so kind to tell us how to work the locker. We are amongst so many people in bathing suits, realize some have towels others don’t. No one told us to rent a towel upon check in, 2 flights of stairs down……ha I notice an older man changing in the corner, got a naked shot….it’s that sort of place- we are in Europe.

I say do you really need a towel? We will wing it 🙂 she told me I act like I’m 20 and so adventurous, I’ll take that as a compliment lol.  We first get our massage. Omg, my feet are still begging for more as I type this email hours later. The quiet room where I laid my head down on a massage table while this girl rubbed my tired feet with oil. Each foot got spoiled for 10 minutes at a time. We meet back at a bench to enter the thermal baths…..we tried 3 different ones…..they were hot and said to be extremely filled with medicinal qualities for your body. We relax and enjoy this peaceful serenity. We watch other people and admire the mosaics on the wall in these rooms with statues.  The decor was beautiful.

Remember we never rented towels…..my suggestion is we lay outside to dry off. We venture outside to an area that surrounds the baths outdoors, more like a big swimming pool hotel area. This is the best people watching…..amazing bodies, bathing suits, skinny and not so much 🙂 I close my eyes and hear the birds chirping, feel the breeze in the air while my skin is drying off and enjoy some water trickling sounds. The views of European buildings, green trees, and bridges in the distance complete this experience. We pack up and catch a taxi.

We decided to go to the same restaurant as last night as the meal was that memorable we want to eat it all again. We order the same but added an additional salmon and beef Tatar dish with marinated tomatoes….yummy!

As we walk home through these lovely squares and charming cobble stone streets I hear the music of U2 from a bar, we pass by many people eating at cafes with dogs and children walking the narrow alleyways. Our trip is coming to a close. I’m sipping an Espresso martini on the same satin couch, this time many other travelers are nearby sharing stories and adding background noise.

A shout out to my Macey Mouse for following my blog and responding. It means so much to me to have my niece be a reader of my travels and actually take a honest interest. Perhaps you will join me on another red-eye one day and be my travel partner 🙂 Macey, I promise you my next Segway is with you, I know I owe you and we will make it happen soon.

We are off to Dublin tomorrow in route to a night in NY before making the final journey home. Like always I’m sure I will have some reflections on the journey back and write more ……thank you for staying connected and being an active group to my first attempt at blogging. Love you all!
Love Laurie Sue;-)
XO
PS. See u soon