Hungary: Oct. 21 - 24

Budapest: Monday Oct. 24, 2005

It was our last full day in Budapest and there were still so many things we could do. After reading all of our tourist guides and brochures, the kids and I decided we wanted to see Continental Europe’s largest flea market called the Ecseri Flea Market.

Brian hates flea markets and public transportation but he decided to go along with us; mostly so we wouldn’t get lost or mugged. As well it was quite a trip to get to the market. First we had to catch the subway to a tram stop and then we had to take the tram to a bus. After a long ride, the bus dropped us off across the street from the market. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem but the “street” was actually eight lanes of highway with concrete dividers. There was no way we could run across all the lanes. Builders were in the process of constructing an overhead pedestrian walkway but that wasn’t any help to us as the stairs weren’t in place yet. So we ended up walking along the edge of a highway off-ramp for about a kilometer and then circled around to the market. Brian figured that he was just chalking up points for another “Bob” story. As we got closer to the entrance, I got a bad feeling about our venture and Brian was just getting more gleeful. We walked through the main gate to be met by mostly empty stalls and those that were stocked were filled with the worst kind of junk imaginable. If a person wanted any variety of German war medals, old dinnerware, broken furniture, assorted weapons or ugly leather jackets, he was in the right place. We definitely were not! The tour books had given us a totally different impression. We wandered through the empty passageways and except for one interesting dinner bell to hang at the back door, we saw nothing. It didn’t take long and we were back on the bus for town. We spent more time getting there than in the market.

On the way back, our tram had to stop quickly to avoid two cars colliding into each other. After the jolt, we all had to wait until the tram could get to a spot to let off passengers. It took a long time and eventually the doors opened. We decided to walk the couple of blocks to our tram stop, just as the tram was pulling away. We were too late to hop back on the first tram but there was another one right behind it, as the traffic accident had messed up all the schedules. Then it stopped and we waited again. Brian was adding up more points to his story. About the only good thing to come out of this trip was that we spotted a large supermarket at the tram stop. With a 10 hour train trip ahead of us tomorrow, we had to be well stocked.

By this time the sun was out and shining brightly. For me that meant a trip down to the river and taking some photos. Sierra was very happy to have some quiet time by herself in the apartment. Brian and Brennan walked to a new shopping center in hopes of finding game boy games and/or DVDs for the trip. We were all successful. I discovered how beautiful Budapest truly was. It looked so different in the sunshine. After a day in the sun, I would definitely recommend a trip here.

As well, the wireless connection came back. Maybe it was the rain that stopped it before. Brennan was so excited by this that he gave up dinner to stay at the apartment and play on the computer. Brian, Sierra and I enjoyed another hearty and tasty meal at Kisharang. I even managed to get Brian out for another picture taking session in the dark. I’d like to think of it as a romantic walk along the Danube but in reality, it was more like he was my bodyguard. I got some great photos though.

Viszontlatasra Budapest.( NEXT PAGE )