We set off after being dropped here to see the Terror Museum housed in the former KGB headquarters. Very sobering! When one enters the museum, there is a 2-4 story wall filled with the pictures of those who were tortured and killed there. It is 3 floors filled with the horrors of that time. It had more meaning for us as we had seen some of the areas shown in the photos. There were some displays that made me cry for the victims and for Hungary as a nation. The two that made me almost sob were the room where the names of the victims were etched in metal plate with a light behind them and it was almost like a high chair rail encircling the room. There were single lights on black poles which dimly lit the room. I thought it was too bad that people were not allowed to tour the room because I thought it would have been therapeutic for them (like the Vietnam war memorial). The next room is pictures/names of the victimizers. I couldn't look at those. I stood in a corner and wept. We have no idea what this nation (and others) experienced in the occupations, etc. We are so blessed and spoiled.
We then ate lunch at a sidewalk cafe and hoofed it to the Jewish synagogue to meet up with our Minnesota friends to tour it. It is the largest Jewish synagogue in Europe. It was another sobering experience. There is a mass grave in the courtyard (unusual to have a cemetery so close to their synagogue). In the garden behind the synagogue is a stainless willow tree whose leaves have the names/death dates of the murdered on them.
We had iced coffee,etc with our friends and then hugged them goodbye. We bought a lemon at a city grocery store -- an interesting experience. Then found another one in the next block that was nicer and larger. :). We came back to our hotel to cool down and chill!. Have I told you today how hot it is? Supposed to be 100 + tomorrow! Seriously! We need a break in the heat. Our Salzburg waiter explained it was Jasmine -- like our El Niña or Niño caused by strong Sahara winds.
This evening we walked over to the walking mall filled with outside cafes and had a wonderful meal of Hungarian wine, mushroom soup, and chicken paprikash before the race fans arrived! Yummy!
There was a formula one grand priz today so the city is hopping tonight!
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Chain bridge at night
Another view from boat
Another view
In front of museum of terror
walking area
Lunch
Along a street
Donahy Synagogue
Inside the synagogue
Tour guide
Another view
Synagogue has mixture of architectural styles
Where the rabbi stands to deliver sermon
Mass graves
Same
Memorial tree
Mary and Barb examining leaves
Mary and John
same tree
Treasures in Jewish museum
Same
Ceiling in museum
Wall in courtyard (those non-Jews who helped to save as many as possible)
Outside view
Soviet style light pole - rusting metal
Building close to synagogue
One of the four Viking buses that followed us from Passau to Budapest
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