Culture

So this is where I've posted pictures of museums, statues, architecture and what not. I saw many of these things, and then I took pictures of them. My pictures aren't as good as those you might find in an illustrated guide book or in the vast dimensions of the Internet, but they're mine, and you won't see pictures of me impersonating a communist statue in any damn guidebook, although now they're on the Internet. The communist stuff was the most fun. My favorite picture is the one of John being oppressed by the boot of a communist soldier. John's dad fled Hungary in 1956 after participating in a failed revolution. John hates communists almost as much as Bush hates Iraqis. John was glad to learn that all the communist statues had been rounded up and thrown in a field. He was somewhat disturbed that I wanted to see this statue park more than finer, more dignified attractions like castles and opera houses. I also visited the TERROR museum, which used to be the headquarters of the communist and Nazi secret polices. It had a tank inside and a detention cell that was about the size of an upright coffin. Unfortunately, picture taking was not allowed. And we did get around to the more historic attractions, as you shall see.

Opera house

Castle Hill

View from above

Zoo entrance

Museum of Fine Arts

Foreshadowing

My favorite painting ever

St. Steven's Basilica

This place was supposed to have the mummified forearm of Hungary's first king but there was a private service and we couldn't see it. John got mad and cursed the lord in his own house.

John a top the basilica

A lot of Hungarians spent a long time building this parliament building. The word that comes to mind is "spikey."

This place is called Hero's Square. The driver on our bus tour said all of the most famous Hungarians have statues here. John shook his head and pointed to himself.