Train Ride to Budapest

We awoke early to catch our train to Budapest.  The Hilton had arranged to a driver to take us to the train station, since apparently cab drivers in Prague can be less than honorable.  We get to the train station (which is huge by the way) and begin our watch of the board to see when the platform will be announced.  In Munich, the platform was announced 30 minutes prior to departure.  Prague will be a different story.  Departure time came and went, and we are still waiting when finally the announce that our train will be ten minutes late.  To keep the story short, we ended up being close to 45 minutes late, and we spend so much time in the train station that I was almost able to understand the announcements spoken in Czech.  Okay, that is an exaggeration, but I did learn how to pronounce the Czech word for platform, which, by the way, I have already forgotten so don't quiz me.

The train ride is uneventful.  The Czech countryside is largely rural and pleasant.  As we near the Slovak border, we go through a hilly area that is really pretty.  We didn't take any photographs.  Photography from a moving train is too difficult, so we just enjoyed the views.  When we get to Slovakia, the terrain flattens out; it could almost be Nebraska that we are looking at.  We pass through Bratislava with very little to recommend it (Hope we find the town center more inviting when we stay here two nights on the way back from Budapest!), and then it is off to Hungary.  Budapest cab drivers are apparently even worse than in Prague.  The guidebook tells us that don't get in a cab if you don't see the name of a company written on it (it's true, some will just say "taxi").  Also don't get in a cab until you have negotiated the fare beforehand.  Fortunately, we are spared this trouble because the Hilton has sent a car for us;  they also warned us to beware cab drivers masquerading as the Hilton driver.  And, sure enough, before we can even get off the train, cab drivers on the platform are accosting us for a fare!

Checking into the Hilton is wonderful (it is about 5:30pm at this point), and oh what a room they gave us!  Because we belong to the Hilton Club, we are upgraded to a suite with unbelievable views:  out the living room window is a gorgeous view of the Hungarian Parliament building, and out the side is a view to St. Mathias Cathedral and the Chain Bridge.  Oh my!  We are treated to the Executive Lounge where free wine and hors d'oevres are provided, and we totally pig out because they are wonderful.  We eat stuffed cabbage rolls, pork tenderloin in a curry sauce, salad and much more.  Guess what?  We are not going out to dinner tonight!

After this food fest, we head out to Buda (the west side of Budapest, up on the hill) to admire the views as the sun goes down.  We are walking around and at 8:20 (I noted the time on my watch) the lights on the buildings and the bridges start coming on.  We are stunned.  Rob took so many pictures!  I tried with my iphone, but it is just not suited to night photography.  Here are three I took before it got too dark: (1) Hungarian Parliament, (2) Chain Bridge with St. Stephen's Basilica in th background, and (3) St. Matthias Cathedral.

What a totally magical city, but isn't that what I said about Prague?  We can't wait to explore it!