Budapest

I took a night train from Munich to Budapest.  While booking my night train I wasn't sure what to expect.  I had a seat in a compartment with three others.  They got off at different times from me and others got into the compartment and so on.  One of the stops was an hour long for some reason.  Needless to say, I didn't sleep well.  When I arrived in Budapest I had breakfast with my uncle (who was there on business) and then took a necessary "nap."

That afternoon I went to a very interesting museum called "The House of Terror."  The name seems to inspire thoughts of Halloween, but its actual content is much more serious.  It documents the tragic periods of fascist and communist rule beginning in 1944.  In 1944 is was known as the "House of Loyalty" and was the headquarters of the National Socialist Arrow Cross Party (Nazi).  After Soviet occupation began, the building became headquarters for communist terror organizations.  Before seeing this museum, I was only vaguely aware of Hungary's role in the 20th century.  I had the opportunity to learn quite a bit, from the Nazi government, to the Soviet occupation to the revolution of 1956.  Importantly, I got a sense of what it was like to live on the other side of the Iron Curtain.  I wonder how similar the experiences of the Hungarians were to other countries such as the GDR.

Another museum I toured was inside Buda Castle.  It traced the history of Budapest from the beginning (and I do mean beginning).  It was another opportunity for me to learn about this place I didn't know that much about.  Its history is complicated, with many different peoples ruling the area.

I found Budapest to be a lovely city, full of breathtaking vistas, interesting architecture and good food (goulash!).