THURSDAY, MAY 1
--- PUTTING THE BUDA INTO BUDAPEST
As far back as the ancient Romans, Buda and Pest were separate
cities. The first bridge, the “Chain Bridge,” linking the two
cities wasn't built until 1849, and the two parts of the city were
joined only in 1873. At the end of World War II, the Nazis destroyed
all the bridges connecting the two parts including the Chain Bridge.
All that's original of that one is the stone lions.
We took a tram over one of several bridges between the two cities and
explored the old city—or rather, parts of what is left of it. Most
of the original buildings were destroyed by one occupying nation or
another. In the 1950s, the Soviets destroyed most of what was left of
the old castle, considering it symbol of the former regime.
What we found was largely a fresh, new city made to look like the old one. Here and
there were buildings that looked original, but most, including the public ones were new, which gave them a kind of Disney like quality. It didn't help that the place was jammed with people who hung over every railing and filled every open space to watch the air show celebrating May Day. The first planes were the oldest and most spectacular in their ability to do figure eights and fly upside down. Gradually, the planes that flew over became more noisy and modern, the last being some kind of fighter jet. We kept wishing that our pilot friend and neighbor, Gene Lanham, could have been with us to enjoy the show.
Eventually, we made our way through the crowds, down the hill, and
across a bridge (not the Chain Link one) into our own neighborhood.
Having “done” Buda,” we were glad to be back in Pest. Tomorrow,
it's on to Oslo to visit Nephew Joe and family for the weekend.
