Sunday, Aug. 29 Buda and Pest, Hungary

Buda and Pest (pronounced Pesht) are twin cities on opposite sides of the Danube.  Buda has more green area, parks and monuments and is favored by the middle aged and up.  Pest is flat, has more bars and restaurants, is 30% cheaper than Buda, and is favored by the young set.  Our guide said that the Danube is polluted here.  We saw no recreational water sports on it; Vienna had many (swimmers, sail boats, etc.)

We toured both today by bus and on foot starting at the Citadel which affords a view of both cities.  I confess that Bob and I skipped the Matyas cathedral in favor of a coffee shop.  Saw lots of other fancy statues, monuments, etc.  Also saw some shoddy looking Soviet construction.  The Hungarian parliament building is incredibly ornate (and expensive).

Tomorrow we have a free day.  We'll probably hike to a grocery store and fruit stand.  It's a nuisance to have to use forints instead of euros.  Few places accept credit cards.  The group is planning a night tour oif Budapest tomorrow night.