27: So, I think I saw the sun today for the first time since arriving in Belgium
. I decided to take advantage of it and head off to Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube. The first thing I saw was this huge open clearing(left), so of course I decided to lie down right in the middle and take a nap for a little bit. Wouldn't you? Well, once I got up, I walked around the island. I came across the ruins of a couple of buildings, including a Franciscan monestary from the 13th century and a 12th century Dominican convent(right).After spen
ding a couple hours on the island, I of course headed back to the market for some cheap lunch. However, this time, I decided to use the bus system, but had no idea which bus went there. I just hopped on o
ne, got off when it seemed to turn in the wrong direction, got on another, hopped off, etc. until I made it nearly there. I ended up directly across the river from the market, which meant I was just along Gellert (Gerard) Hill. It's named after St. Gerard who was killed by the Pagans in a revolt in 1046. They put him in a barrel and rolled him down the hill into the river, where he died. Anyways, there's a statue of him(left) above the remains of a castle built into the hill(right).
ding a couple hours on the island, I of course headed back to the market for some cheap lunch. However, this time, I decided to use the bus system, but had no idea which bus went there. I just hopped on o
ne, got off when it seemed to turn in the wrong direction, got on another, hopped off, etc. until I made it nearly there. I ended up directly across the river from the market, which meant I was just along Gellert (Gerard) Hill. It's named after St. Gerard who was killed by the Pagans in a revolt in 1046. They put him in a barrel and rolled him down the hill into the river, where he died. Anyways, there's a statue of him(left) above the remains of a castle built into the hill(right).To get to the market, the Danube had to be crossed. I thought this would be kind of enjoyable as it was nice and 
sunny, but the liberty bridge(left) was under construction. All that was open was a footpath consisting of wobbly planks with open water on the other side of a piece of netting. NOT fun as I have a slight fear of heights, bu
t I eventually got safely to the other side. After lunch, it was off to the Terror House(right). It sounds a bit like some sort of theme park, but it documents the most difficult years in Hungarian history. Imagine Nazi Germany plus Communists at the same time. The museum is actually housed in the old residence of the secret police, and has original prison cells, torture methods, etc. on display. It was intense. The closest thing I can relate it to is the Holocaust museum in D.C., but it was still very different - mostly because I had never heard anything about this happening in Hungary. It was like someone took the veil off of a part of history.
sunny, but the liberty bridge(left) was under construction. All that was open was a footpath consisting of wobbly planks with open water on the other side of a piece of netting. NOT fun as I have a slight fear of heights, bu
t I eventually got safely to the other side. After lunch, it was off to the Terror House(right). It sounds a bit like some sort of theme park, but it documents the most difficult years in Hungarian history. Imagine Nazi Germany plus Communists at the same time. The museum is actually housed in the old residence of the secret police, and has original prison cells, torture methods, etc. on display. It was intense. The closest thing I can relate it to is the Holocaust museum in D.C., but it was still very different - mostly because I had never heard anything about this happening in Hungary. It was like someone took the veil off of a part of history. From there, I went and had a picnic dinner in a park behind Hero's Square, where I accidentally stumbled acr
oss Vajdahunyad castle. It was originally built from cardboard and wood for the world exhibition and Millenium anniversary of Hungary in 1896, but was so popular that they reconstructed it from brick. Anyways, I just sat along the pond and kind of reflected on everything I'd seen so far in the city. When I was finished, I decided to quick grab some fruit from the market since I wouldn't get into Rome until later the next afternoon. They were closing, but I snuck in through a side door and found a vendor that was still open. When I tried to grab an orange, I almost toppled the entire pile. Seriously, sometimes I think I'm living in a movie. My life is ridiculous.
oss Vajdahunyad castle. It was originally built from cardboard and wood for the world exhibition and Millenium anniversary of Hungary in 1896, but was so popular that they reconstructed it from brick. Anyways, I just sat along the pond and kind of reflected on everything I'd seen so far in the city. When I was finished, I decided to quick grab some fruit from the market since I wouldn't get into Rome until later the next afternoon. They were closing, but I snuck in through a side door and found a vendor that was still open. When I tried to grab an orange, I almost toppled the entire pile. Seriously, sometimes I think I'm living in a movie. My life is ridiculous.Back to the hostel, where Denes and Mura -2 Hungarians that I had met earlier- were just hanging out. They were going to a pub they had found and invited me along. Of course I agreed since I had nothing else to do that evening. I tend to stay in at night in cities I don't know... unless I have someone with me. Well Denes treated, and we stayed just chatting for a couple of hours about everything from education and history to traveling and culture differences.
When I got back to the hostel, I realized the train station closed in about 20 minutes and I hadn't bought a ticket to the airport yet. I hurried down the street and realized that I couldn't find the ticket window. I tried asking a guy that was standing around, but he didn't speak any english. I was getting worried as it was getting closer to closing time, when this pudgy little Austrian guy came up and (in English!) asked me if I needed any help. It turns out that the ticket window was on the far end of the station, and you had to weave through a labrynth of rooms and hallways to get there. I got my ticket about 2 minutes before they closed, and headed back to the hostel, since my train didn't leave until 3am. Since the train was late, not everything at the station was still working... including the schedule screens. I had to try to ask the conductor where my platform was, but he didn't understand so I just ended up writing the platform number on a piece of paper and he directed me again... to the far side of the station. I got on the train towards the airport, promptly fell asleep (accidentally), and luckily woke up just as we were pulling into the station. So long Budapest!
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