Friday, November 10 - Current Hungary,lecture, Jewish Quarter, Danube dinner vruisee

  The day began early with our conversations about our Thursday evening experiences: DA Rgeubgold at the opera, the organ recital in St, Steven's basilica, and the Roma music concert. Last evening we learned that one of our group had adopted a Roma child. Hearing her story was enlightening. 

  We attended a lecture on Life In Hungary today presented by an economics professor at the University of WesternHungary. Dr. Zoltan Pogatsa spoke about daily life, health care, education,  pensions, politics, the EU,  Oamong other topics in a casual manner. Questions and interruptions were welcome.  One positive result of the Soviet regieme was government support of the arts, museums in particular. The time sped by.

  We met Agnes for a walk in the Jewish Quarter. After a short Metro ride we walked to the opera house for a brief look into the entrance foyer; it is ornate. The next two hours we walked in the neighborhood settled mainly by Jewish persons. We learned they have lived throughout the city since before the arrival of the Romans and Muslims.  We saw an enclosed tenement  which became a ghetto  for just six weeks at the end of WW 2.  In spite of much renovation taking place in the Art Nouveau buoldings we were told that it is popular gathering spot on weekends. The narrow streets are filled with eateries and ventures for social gatherings. We visited the synagogue,  one of three in the area. It is large, with balconies and organ pipes, even. Outside the memorial garden contains tree, appearing lie an upside down menorah.  On it are slender pieces of tin or alumion which are written the names of those who died during WW 2.  There are also a plaques with the names of persons who helped save Jewish people at that time. There are several plaques with a long list of names. We parted with directions from Agnes to our free time destination.

  A new friend and I walked to the opera house to purchase a ticket for the English tour later. We eavh enjoyed a bowl of soup at a nearby cafe.  The guide lead our group through several sites. We sat in the main performance seating area. Decorations and special stalls were pointed out, and its history was described. It was built shortly after the building of the opera house in Vienna with money and certain demands from the Hapsburg emperor.We learned the building has just completed a multi-year renovation. It is ornate and gorgeous. Our tour ended with a short performance by two singers. They sang a piece each from La Boheme, Figaro, and Don Pasquale. It was great and a happy end to the tour.

  We took the Metro to our hotel to prepare for our Danube River cruise. Although it was raining lighty we enjoyed an abundant buffet with complimentary wine -  two glasses. Soup,a variety of salads, rabbit food and traditional onions, peppers, and tomatoes cooked together over tiny noodles  with struedrlfor dessert. We spent the rainier of our time on the open sir and covered upper desk taking photos while list Dr ninb yo Johsnn Strauss's music -  Beautifil Blue Danube. 

  This was an early evening and that's good. We hugged Agnes  our Budapest tour guide, and th a nked her gor her shinf if ,I've and k no ow L edge if Budapest.   I .ook a .ong and warm sudsy  bath and am now ready to  sleep. 


Gute Nacht

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