A Fine Ride Ten Years in the Waiting

It only took 10 years with construction starting in 2004 and a final cost of 452.5 billion Ft, but it has finally opened. One billion Ft = $4,466,000 or €3,259,000. You can do the math. Budapest's fourth metro line opened to the public on Friday. The first two days of travel were free, so you can imagine the crowds.

Ron and I had Mary Beth and Alice in tow coming from our extensive tour of Vác. We thought they would be too tired to follow us to Rákóczi tér where we intended to take our first ride on the first day of the new metro. Being troopers, they conceded that this was a golden opportunity for another fabulous travel story to share later, so all four of us lost our Metro 4 virginity as a group. We along with hundreds of others flooded the escalators at Rákóczi tér to descend to the next platform, but not yet to the tracks. It took a second escalator ride to put us train-side.

The trains look like the new trains on the M2 Red line. Each station either has some adornment or not. Rákóczi tér looks plain and unfinished, while Szent Gellért tér has lovely tile work. One station has blocks of bright colors. With only 10 stops on the entire line, the ride was not extensive. A Hungarian overhearing our English commented as he was exiting the train "They stupidly set stops within 500 meters of each other. What a waste." Perhaps so, some of the stops are ridiculously close like Fővám tér and Kálvin tér. One could almost throw a rock between the two.

The stations include:
Kelenföld vasútállomás    
Bikás park
Újbuda-központ
Móricz Zsigmond körtér    
Szent Gellért tér    
Fővám tér    
Kálvin tér - Intersects with M3 Blue line.    
Rákóczi tér    
II. János Pál pápa tér    
Keleti pályaudvar - Intersects with M2 Red line.

There are 15 vehicles on this line. Each vehicle has four cars, but they are contiguous, so one could walk the length during the ride if so inclined. They are reportedly controlled automatically. This should be interesting.

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Vác You Been Up To?

Well, since you asked, I have to say we had an amazingly pleasurable day this last Friday. As I have mentioned previously, our friend Kat’s mother and aunt were staying with us. We offered to take them to Vác, a small town just 34 km (21.12 miles) outside of Budapest. Depending on the train you choose from the 3-4 options each hour, the ride can take either 28 minutes or a lengthy 45 minutes. The one-way fare is a paltry 650 Huf, less than a Starbucks Grande espresso.

Leaving home about 10am, I really thought we would be returning home close to early afternoon. Arriving at the train station, we decided to take the next very train after we had tickets in hand, regardless of how long it took. After all, the scenery would be new and different for our traveling companions. It did take us 45 minutes, but the train was clean and comfortable; the scenery was of interest to our companions.

Aunt Alice has problems walking, but Mary Beth is a champion walker who can keep pace with my long strides making her a desirable walking companion. Alice enjoyed Ron’s prodding pace, so she was quite comfortable being at his side, knowing he would accommodate all of her needs for a stop and sit break in stride. There were a few times when Mary Beth and I were so far ahead of them, we had to backtrack to make certain they knew where we were.

Once in the center square, I had convinced the two of the ladies they definitely needed to see the Memento Mori where the Dominican church crypts, including a few mummies are stored. When the white church across the square was under reconstruction, these were excavated. These crypts long forgotten were newly rediscovered, sealed in an airtight space; thus, all the clothing and much of their bodies remained intact. What I had not shared with the women was that the exhibit was downstairs. Had I done so, Alice would not have gone. As it was, with the investment of a ticket, she managed to get down and back up the stairs, exuding the magnificence of the display. Ron and I had seen these multiple times, so we waited.

The main square is utterly charming after a reconstruction from the last 8 years or so. Especially in the spring and summer months when the weather is agreeable, sitting at an outdoor café is a luxurious experience not to be missed.

Not too far off of the square is the Desszert Szalon at Köztársaság út 21. Here you will find some of the most unusual and lushest desserts in Hungary. The owner won the 2009 World Cup for Dessert Chefs. Rather pricey as one would expect, the ladies opted for an ice cream cone and the use of the bathroom.

The day was spent strolling, relaxing, and taking in the scenery. One of my favorite walking areas is the József Attila sétány, which runs along the Danube. A well-maintained park includes areas for children’s play equipment, bike paths, walking paths, benches to relax and flora abounds that would please any gardener.

As the day wore on, we decided to have lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in the town. Quite honestly, it is the only restaurant we have had meals at when in Vác. It has never disappointed, so there has never been a reason to change. Remete Pince is set on a hill on the small Fürdő lépcső utca 3 (Telephone: 27-302-199; Hours: noon to 10pm). What makes this our perpetual choice is the garden that adorns a large section above the outdoor seating. You can dine while feeling you are in a botanical garden. Sheer delight!

After our praise worthy, but light lunch, we continued our exercise regimen so we could indulge in dessert at Choco Cafe Váci Csokizó on the main square at Március 15 tér 20. Mary Beth, Ron and I ordered different slices of 3 pastries and then with great precision, divided them in 3’s. Alice, not being a dessert eater, was perfectly happy with one morsel of chocolate.

This was the topper for the day. We meandered back to the train and finally arrived home by 5:30 pm. My only regret was not having my camera. I did use my phone for some shots, but the battery was not fully charged when we left home. Next time…

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Surprise! We Are Giving You a Pre-Wedding Party

This is a week overdue, basically because life gets in the way sometimes. However, it does not negate the importance in the least. Months ago, our friend Kat McFadden planned for her mother and aunt to come stay with us for a visit of close to 2 weeks. Knowing we would step up to tour the ladies around, she wanted to show her appreciation ahead of time. 

Kat suggested that she would like to provide us with a pre-wedding party, timing it for when her mom, Mary Beth, and Aunt Alice could assist. This was a truly unexpected surprise, but thoroughly welcomed. Honestly, knowing Kat, she did not need the preemptive thankful for entertaining her relatives as an excuse, since she would have offered the party regardless.
 
Due to the size of her apartment, she asked if we could have it at our place. Thinking that 12-15 would be a reasonable number to cook for, Kat went forth with the preparations. We have some mutual friends, but she gathered the names and e-mail addresses of others sending out e-vites. The party was a week ago today.

Little did we realize that this was going to turn into a major production, which is proclaimed with astonishment and not the least bit of dismay. Kat was here on Saturday night to start the preparations of food with mom, Mary Beth and Alice working alongside of her. Both Mary Beth and Alice have Hungarian roots and experience learning culinary arts at their mothers’ sides. Alice also has graduated from culinary school.

Jumping on Kat’s bandwagon, our friends Dan Stroiman, Hunter Roberts, and Andrea Mitnick also provided some tasty treats to the buffet. There was enough food to feed the population of a small country and wine flowed like Niagara Falls. As most parties at our place do, everyone congregated in the living room, but there were multitudes of trips to the kitchen to replenish plates with food beyond the morsels which were spread over the coffee table and within arm’s reach.

Beyond the extraordinary party, Kat had a present commissioned specifically for us. It is the wine decanter pictured created by one of Furman University’s faculty members, Professor Robert E. Chance. Notice that it is adorned with pomegranates, which also decorate our wedding rings. This was not just coincidence, but the fact that Kat paid attention to the details of the stories we share. Kat’s mother did the personalized shipping from South Carolina to our doorstep, taking extra care so the braided handle as well as the decanter would arrive in tact.

The party was fantastic and the party assemblers were also the clean-up committee. They were the best catering service and party planners one could hope to have. Thank you for making us so appreciative.

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