We started our day with a trip to the Buda side where we saw the oldest buildings, churches, government buildings, etc, of the town and then had a wonderful visit to the museum of musical instruments. They have a plethora of old forte pianos a couple of harps, various viols and a positive organ. They also had some cembalos which were in several phases of evolution. The real treat was that we got to hear a wunderkind who played both violin and piano on a professional level. He started out with a Paganini caprice, and at the end, he played a Liszt transcendental study on piano that knocked your socks off. There was also a flutist and another pianist who were good, but not as good as Martin Varosvari, the wunderkind.
We had a delicious lunch at a restaurant overlooking Budapest behind the church. Best thing I've had here was at that restaurant, it was a fresh pea soup with a feta foam.
The rest of the meal was some cubed pork with potatoes and garlic which was delicious, but too much and a floating island for dessert. We have yet to actually have a dinner here, because they feed us so much during the day that we just walk around like a little stuffed piggies.
After lunch a few of us went to the Gellert spa, which is on the Buddhist side of the river. We had planned to go to a different spot yesterday but the day got too long and there wasn't enough time. We had to take two buses, and although it turned out to be very easy, it was a little challenging. First we walked into the hotel, which is decorated in Art Nouveau style and has some gorgeous windows that appeared to be Tiffany though I am sure they are more local than that. Then we went around to the spa side. When you walk into the spot you are in a great Hall with a glass ceiling that is quite beautiful.We rented cabins, which are places where you can change your clothes and lock up your stuff,and then we went and sat in the thermal baths. We got a bit separated, and three of them went one place and I went another but we eventually found each other. Other than the minor stress of getting there. It was very relaxing.
Then for our evening event,we had a performance by the Hungarian folk dancers. They were accompanied by a quartet that had two wonderful violinists. This being about the first warm place I have been all day, of course I fell asleep. Which had you been there you would realize how difficult a challenge that was. It was very loud. However since I had been awake since about 2:30 in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep, of course I was sleepy.
I think Budapest is a gorgeous city, because we are staying on the flat side, Pest, and all the beautiful bridges are lit up at night as are all the wonderful buildings on the Buda side, which just forms a lovely backdrop.
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