Where Lions are in the Limelight: Budapest!

Landing up in Budapest, alone, without a map, without a specific itinerary and not speaking any Hungarian is not a good feeling. It's a great one! Buda and Pest are the two charming cities connected by the Danube. Put on your heels in Pest (to wine and dine after an Opera) and your trekking shoes in Buda (to hike up to Buda Castle and the intricately built Fisherman's Bastion!). Despite its fractured past (holocaust and long history of communism), Budapest has emerged as one of the most tourist friendly cities in Europe. *applause* The only two things that struck me as odd was that Hungarian society is not entirely multi-cultural and English speaking tourists will have many problems due to the language barrier which can be solved by mixing with the younger Hungarians. Other than that the city is a marvel! Hungarians are very calm and reserved people who are passionate about their rich history of music, art, cuisine, etc.  I'm pretty sure God himself helped out with the blueprints of the various monuments strewn all over the city (especially the Royal Hungarian Opera House! which I had a chance to visit and see Hófehérke és a 7 törpe, a ballet of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!). The cuisine is special and might not appeal to everyone, my most favorite dish was in fact just a snack called Hungarian Langos (which is a fried salty dough served with cheese and a topping of ham or mushrooms and sour cream! ♥) Hungary is spectacular and the only danger one faces, is never wanting to leave!

P.S. Are you wondering why I chose the title for the album? Thats because Budapest is filled with Lions!! Not real one silly! Just statues, but they're everywhere and they come in all shapes and sizes to overwhelm you! xx