Ms Tinsel Town and The Budapest Goulash Blues: Wednesday, September 4th!

A handful of sand is an anthology of the universe. -David McCord, poet (1897-1997)

Hello Birthday Girl and Winnipeg Street Woman, et al! Foist and foremost, Happy, Happy Birthday, Ayn! For She's a Jolly Good Fellow!! Hip Hip Hooray!!! Trust you enjoyed a wonderful time celebrating your 52nd year, being spoiled by Los Horridos and others. Love Nana and Poppa! Fondestos and Much love to you both from Flamin' and Sarge. Cheers, Dad! Pics: Synagogue; wrap-around, common balcony of our third floor apartment; Danube cruise past Parliament building, churches, monuments and such. Buda Castle where wine festival is held; Market; Dobrumba; Vicky Barcelona's.

Hi Marilinka and Alenko! Will apologize, right from the start about the "choppiness" of this message as we seem to be on the run from pillar to post as soon as we rise to the time we collapse into bed of a busy, busy, more than full day! Not complaining but I don't have the luxury, sheer luxury of being able to compose as I would like, noting so many of the wonderful details of the trip as it unfolds. Suffice it to say that we are having a simply wonderful time, the weather, [except, so far, for a day of heavy rain in Vienna], couldn't be better for travelling and exploring. This being the case, I find I am always playing catch-up with day to day descriptions. [Reader Beware: There will also be a time lag in terms of snapolas!]

Consequently, most of my messages will be compilations of past days and projections into the future, without benefit of a much needed crystal ball as Life always has a way of providing surprise after surprise. So far, nothing we cannot cope with and in the scheme of things, not anything to fuss about.  

Up fairly early, this morning, busy packing up for drive to Bratislava and Budapest. Was looking forward to drive to see more countryside. Of particular note was the huge number of wind-turbines both in Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. After we arrived, in Budapest, after spending a couple of hours wandering around the interesting, picturesque historical centre of Bratislava and stopping for a tasty bite of local fare for lunch, we found a parking spot, [not an easy feat], just around the corner from where we are staying, smack dab, more or less, in the middle of town! Couldn't check in until 5:00 pm so we took a tour, in English, of the synagogue right across the street from our building:

The Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as the Great Synagogue or Tabakgasse Synagogue, is a historical building in Erzsébetváros, the 7th district of Budapest, Hungary. It is the largest synagogue in Europe, seating 3,000 people.

Remarkable tour for so many, many reasons. Poor guide was frustrated as once we were inside she had to stop talking from time to time as on stage at front musicians, [seemed like a Klezmer band], were doing a sound check for the entire time we were inside. We quite enjoyed hearing the different instruments but it made life difficult for the knowledgeable guide. We used our freeloading skills to "tack" ourselves onto a relatively small Swedish group, [retired journalists], as the other ones for English speakers were too, too large. Lady Dar "ordered" me not to ask any questions as the guide didn't really want us there! Had to bite my tongue until the end but it was most informative nonetheless. Afterwards, quick look at the museum there. Exhibits of all sorts, [religious artifacts, torahs, menorahs, and the like], told more stories about the faith and history of the synagogue and its community. Four mass graves in the courtyard as around 2,000 people died in the ghetto there before being liberated by the Soviets. Apparently a cemetery is normally not allowed next to a synagogue but there was no other place to bury the dead given circumstances. Stunning memorial in another part of the grounds, paid for, in large part, I believe, by Tony Curtis, [I didn't know he was a Hungarian Jew.], to commemorate many who died there.

Only had to wait a few minutes after all this and we met chap who let us in. Showed us the very comfortable apartment and then we returned to the car to "mule" all our baggae to the third floor. Fortunately there is a tiny elevator so we managed everything with only two trips. Once we'd unpacked a few things we relaxed with a bottle of wine and hors d'oeuvres before we headed out to buy some groceries at a local Spar. Sarge took the two bags back to the apartment and we met him outside the restaurant that was right beside our parked car. Turned out to be one Flamin' had wanted to go to but no reservations available, [Hope to make reservations for tonight. I want to try their fried chicken livers with pomegranate!], so we strolled a little further down the street to Spinoza where we had a most delicious and enjoyable meal. Toddled back home and after watching a bit of breaking news on Boris and Brexit, we all trundled off to bed!

My dearest Host Parentos, I‘m happy to hear that you‘ve touched European ground again. Unfortunately your cruel host daughter won‘t be there as I‘m currently spending all my savings while traveling through Europe in a van. We‘re kind of stuck in Tromsø, Norway, at the moment because of a letter that I‘m supposed to receive in a few days. After that we will be heading south to Kiruna, Sweden and will explore Lappland for a bit. This is all very exciting and maybe there will be a possibility to catch up somewhere in Europe. For how long will you stay and where else in Europe will you go?

Happy to hear that Chloe finally got pregnant, you guys must be relieved as well since she has been trying for a while as I remember you telling Ruedi and I on your last trip to Europe. Thanks as well for the heads up on your recovery, I know you‘ll always do well as you are probably the most active (and certainly the most cruel) Host Vati on earth! I miss you guys and hope to see you again sometime soon. Lots of love from way up north! Cheerio, your cruel Host Daughter Nadienka xx Von meinem iPhone gesendet

Hello Cruel Host Daughter, Nadienka, et al! What a life you lead! Now in the fjords of Norway! Given your travels, and ours, looks like we probably won't cross paths. After Bern we will spend three nights near Lyon, with friends, and then four nights in Paris, (October 8th to 12th), before we fly back to Canada. Anyway, let us know what you think and perhaps Fortune will smile on us! Stay well. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you Dearest, Dearest Cruelest, Cruelest, Host Daughter and her long-suffering parents! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Sandee and Arv! Trust you are both well. Interestingly enough, my Master's thesis was on William Golding!