Eastern Europe: On to Budapest

So we’re been in the Czech Republic where the currency is the Koruna (100 Korunas = $4.00) and the language is Czech.  And Austria where the currency is the Euro (close to parity with the dollar) and the language is German.  We’re currently on an Express train to Budapest where the currency is the Forints (100 Forints = $.276.)  We can handle the currencies but, like most Americans, cannot handle the languages.  Fortunately, that is not a great handicap.

On the taxi ride to the train station, we again saw a lot of new construction.  And we’ve witnessed a lot of remodeling.  The economy must be good.  The Vienna train station is very modern and very efficient.

On the way home from my cross country ride (2009) I completed my blog on the plane.  (This was my first blog.)  But I believe this is the first blog I’ve written on a train.  And I just discovered we have free wi-fi on the train!

We’re staying in the K+K Opera Hotel, number one recommendation by Rick Steves.  It’s a nice hotel but doesn’t have the elegant service of Vienna.  We’re in the room, I’m looking for a restaurant in Rick Steves book and Brenda is looking at Trip Advisor.  We get a call from our companions, Glenn and Patrice telling us there is a festival 100 feet from our hotel.  This is “Automentes hetvege” or “Car Free Weekend” and 12 or more bocks in front of the  Opera House are blocked off.  There must be 100 food and beverage trucks and booths plus music, opera, ballet and events for kids.  We explore the event and find sufficient food and beverage.