May 9 A View Like No Other

It's Monday and we are leaving the Viking Modi for our hotel in the castle district of Budapest.  So, a few reflections on the cruise part of the journey.  The staff earns an "A" for friendliness, care, availability and good humor.  Whatever the problem, they wanted to solve it and quickly.  The food, while plentiful, was okay but not always on the mark.  I did enjoy the breakfasts and the good salad bar available at every lunch if you were in the main dining room.  As to the program, the included city walks focused always on the old sections and tourist shops.  You could, of course,  select the somewhat pricey optional excursions if those were of interest.  The accommodations were excellent as was the cabin service.  The four of us found the trip a bit sedentary with too much down time.  the only common areas were the lounge and occasionally the upper deck.  More sitting.  Except for a few, the guests were seniors and some quite compromised.  Admirable, really. I did like most of the lectures and found that talking to others, especially the staff, was fun.   And we had our friend Jacqueline, a treasure.  The concierge and the program director were especially talented.  I would recommend Viking but maybe a shorter cruise for those more active.

We are shuttled from the Modi to the Hilton where we leave our luggage and strike out on our own.  We RUN by the tour groups as we are untethered and kicking up our heels.  We've purchased tickets on the Big Bus - a hop on hop off scenario.  Pretty soon the afternoon is gone and we are weary.  Among other sights, we've seen St. Stephen's Cathedral where I light candles as I've done all over Europe, asking for blessings upon my dear family.  It's the largest cathedral in Hungary and stunning. One of our guides told us that during the Communist occupation, the government took note and those who attended church were disadvantaged.  Although they were highly qualified, her mother was overlooked as a flight attendant and her uncle denied entry to the university to study medicine because both were practicing Catholics.  

Back at the hotel, Ron wonders if we'll end up in the basement because we are the last to get our rooms.  Au contraire, we are up on the fifth floor with probably the most spectacular view I have had or will ever hope to have.  A large picture window overlooks the Danube with views of the Chain Bridge and the impressive Parliament building which is completely lit up at night along with the rest of the city that flanks the river.  Mesmerising.  I neglected to mention that on Sunday night the Modi's captain got permission from the harbor master to sail north on the river circling Madeleine Island.  This took place about 9 PM when the city was ablaze with lights.  A high point.