Category Archives: Tourism

DAILY PHOTO: Shoe Memorial

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Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest.

Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest.

On the bank of the Danube, Pest-side just south of the Parliament building, there is an eery memorial consisting of an irregular row of shoes. The shoes are made of metal, but their brown rust looks like worn, brown shoe leather. It is in remembrance of the victims of the Arrowcross Militia who were shot there and left to topple into the river.

The Arrowcross Militia were Hungary’s Nazis. Hungary was allied with Germany at the beginning of World War II, but at one point (in 1944, as I recall) Hungary tried to break this alliance. Germany responded by taking over Hungary, and giving the Arrowcross (their fellow hardcore fascists) greater power and influence.

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DAILY PHOTO: Old Lady Street Art

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Taken in December of 2014 in Pécs

Taken in December of 2014 in Pécs

DAILY PHOTO: Vāci Székesegyhāz

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Taken in December of 2014 in Vāc

Taken in December of 2014 in Vāc

The Vāc Cathedral (Vāci Székesegyhāz) is one of the most impressive structures in the small Danubian village of Vāc. Vāc is similar to Szentendre, which I posted about earlier in the week, but it’s a little bit less touristy because it’s not as close to Budapest.

There are some people in the above photo to give one a sense of scale, but probably a better indicator is the picture below which shows an average height female adult reaching for the door knob.

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DAILY PHOTO: Budapest Eye by Night

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Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

The largest mobile ferris wheel is currently located in Erzsébet Tér (Elisabet Square) on Pest-side in Budapest, and is being called the Budapest Eye. The name must be a nod to the famous London Eye, though the Budapest wheel design is much less reminiscent of an eye than the one in London–this owning to the use of a framework rather than cables to form the “spokes.”

It is big, and the top of it can clearly be seen from the Castle on Buda-side.

DAILY PHOTO: Whale Light on the Danube

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Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

Taken in December of 2014 in Budapest

This photo was taken from inside the Budapest Whale, which is sometimes called the CET Building. The Whale is a building that houses galleries and shops on the Pest side of the Danube. It’s so named because one end of it is a gracefully shaped glass and steel construct that is reminiscent of a whale shape. Hence the light traveling through onto the water. (The other end is a more traditional red brick structure.)

One can see Freedom Bridge (Szabadság híd) and Gellért Hill in the background toward the upper right-hand corner.

DAILY PHOTO: Colorful Szentendre

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Taken in December of 2014 in Szentendre.

Taken in December of 2014 in Szentendre.

Szentendre is a village just north of Budapest on the Danube. It’s known for its churches, bohemian atmosphere, and shops selling knick-knacks, bric-a-brac, curios, and antiques to tourists. It’s popular on the tourist circuit because it’s so close to Budapest and is readily accessed by car, train, or ferry. Here, third world market behavior often applies–i.e. the shopkeepers will quote an insanely high price with the expectation that one will try to negotiate an acceptable price.

Among the festive things to see include the marzipan museum and at Christmas time there is a large Christmas shop and “Museum.” (FYI: Marzipan is the mega-sweet concoction made from sugar, almond paste, and egg. Some people love it, but beware one bite may be enough to put you into a sugar coma.)

 

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DAILY PHOTO: Mosque of Pasha Qasim: Color and Monochrome

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Taken December 31, 2014 in Pécs

Taken December 31, 2014 in Pécs

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I’m back from Hungary with a load of photos to share. Here’s the first installment.

This building is also–and currently–known as the Downtown Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in the intervening period was known as St. Bartholomew’s Church. It’s located on Széchenyi Tér in downtown Pécs. It was built as a mosque in the latter half of the 16th century under Ottoman control, but was converted to a Roman Catholic Church when the Turks were defeated. There are several such re-purposed mosques in the area, but this one has been said to be the best example of Turkish architecture in Hungary.

That’s 1,000 Posts, and I’m Out of Here

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This is my 1,000th post on this site, and I’ve finished it just in time to get on a plane and leave the country, rounding out my blogging year with a nice round number. It’s been fun, and I’ll be back in early January to crank it back up.

Here’s a photo of where I’ll be.

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Does That Mean What I Think It Does? No, No It Does Not

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Would you like a kick in the crotch with your cupcake?

Would you like a kick in the crotch with your cupcake? (The name reads a bit hostile for an American.)

Cultural idiosyncrasies of language matter. In India on a daily basis I find myself asking, “They don’t mean what I think they mean, do they?” Here’s a few examples.

You mean you're selling clothes, just clothes?

You mean you’re selling clothes, just clothes? (The “Happy Ending” sale just seems a little risqué to me. If the smiley face was winking it would really be suggestive.)

No, Sir, I will not loofah you just because you bought the rice bath!

No, Sir, I will not loofah you just because you ordered the rice bath! (FYI: rice bath is a Karnataka rice dish with lentils.)

Cut my hair? I thought this was a saloon?

Cut my hair? I thought this was a saloon?

"Playing in the Park" is prohibited. Dear Park, What the hell are you good for? Signed Concerned Resident.

“Playing in the Park” is prohibited. Dear Park, What the hell are you good for? Signed Concerned Resident

 

DAILY PHOTO: Bangalorean Winter Flowers

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Taken in Cubbon Park on December 13, 2014

Taken in Cubbon Park on December 13, 2014

The other day I posted a winter photo from Budapest to psyche myself up to experience winter for the first time in a while. Now I’m going the other route. As I pack to travel to a place with winter, I’m posting some of the flowers currently blooming in Cubbon Park.

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Taken in Cubbon Park on December 13, 2014.

Taken in Cubbon Park on December 13, 2014.