Hi. I'm spending a lot of this trip damp. I even have a damp towel in my backpack, so there.
Let's see, what's been up. Last night we met Dotty's friend Judith - young, professional, cute, well-spoken, smokes like a chimney - for dinner and beers. We are on an erratic eating schedule - between Dotty not being a big breakfast person, the language barrier (always on the lookout for menus in English), keeping it cheap, and trying to cram a lot into a couple of days, it's way too many croissants and cappucinos. Oh what I'd give for a big salad. It's a wonder my lower intestinal tract hasn't completely given up by now. Anyway, last night, dinner and beers: babba ganoush (sp?), and fried cheese - a middle-Eastern theme, I reckon, in a Hungarian jazz club.
On the way home, in the pouring rain, we went seeking one of those nylon-net scrubby things, but struck out. Seems they don't use wash clothes here in Budapest. I was soooo looking forward to my long shower this morning, washed my hair for the first time in ew, too long - ended up using a sock. WOrks in a pinch - put your hand in it, soap it up, works ok. And then you have a really clean sock to boot.
Hung the clothes up to dry, early to bed - in bed by 10 - pooped - Mike called and couldn't believe we weren't out partying - we do jam a lot into one day, though - getting our money's worth.
Long time falling asleep, all those damn cappucinos - you'd think I'd learn.
We had a weird thing this morning, though - due to my long shower (ahhhh) Dotty went out and about and we were trying to connect by text and couldn't - I texted her 5 times, they took as long as 20 minutes to get there, and arrived out of order. By the time we connected Dotty had a little teeny meltdown - said I wasn't holding up my end of the logistical planning - I said I'd be glad to but she already had our itinerary figured out - etc etc. The meltdown passed, I have offered several times to help with the plans but I think she's got such a head start, having been here several times before, so it seems kinda silly. ANyway, pretty good, considering we have been together almost 24/7 since Tuesday - one small meltdown and that's it -
Anyhoo. Finally found each other, took a few false starts to get to the Castle District, crossed the Danube, rode the Funicula (a ski lift of sorts, except there ain't no snow) to the top, had some croissants and coffee, and walked around all morning. Amazing. Amazing buildings, amazing sculptures, amazing view, and guess what, it wasn't even raining. Bought a cheesy carved box and a little teeny still life oil painting for $15. Made our way back down, and stopped at the Opera HOuse to buy tickets for...
...the PHilharmonic tonight. We are already lamenting how shabby we are looking - vanity is long gone, left it behind when I decided to do carry-on. Whatever, anyway the Opera House is supposed to be acoustically perfect. Tickets were $18.
Then, to the Baths. Very large beautiful building, probably a coupla hundred years old, mineral baths, saunas, steam, outdoor baths, indoors, on and on. We spent about an hour in the water (I am still pruney) then had a 20 minute massage (I wanted longer but they said no. I asked for 2 in a row and they still said no). My beefy masseuse spoke no English but who needs words at a time like that. I love a massage. Always a thoughtful gift idea, by the way.
So here we are, back in the internet cafe (they use the term cafe loosely - machine coffee, bottled water. By the way, NO sign of recycling here in Hungary AT all). Mr Big Guy with the B.O. has been replaced by Squirrelly Porn Man, no kidding. I am on computer 1, dotty on computer 2, and Porn man on computer 3. He is focused. Has quite an attention span, that guy. I think the building could burn down and he wouldn't take his eyes off the screen.
Soon in search of dinner and wine (not necessarily in that order), then to the Philharmonic. Tomorrow we hope to visit the Parliament, if there is an English-speaking tour. Then Dotty leaves around 1-2 ish. I hope to see that Typography show, have a nice dinner somewhere, pack and try out that bathtub. Will head for the airport first thing Wed a.m.
Saw a poster for Tom Jones (what's new pussycat, whoaoooaoaa) - he will be appearing at their huge sports arena on the 11th. Isn't he dead? Edgar WInter is appearing here also - all these dead guys still perform. Black Boys of Alabama. ANd Marcus MIller (Jon, do you know him?)doing the songs of Miles Davis.
I am receiving everyone's emails, thank you, by the way - no time to address them individually (I do like getting them though - nice to know I cross your respective minds), otherwise I wouldn't get to see as much of this beautiful city. It really is spectacular here. And we even had a little sun today - 5 or 6 minutes worth.
That's about it. There's a glass of wine out there with my name on it.
xos/mom
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