Europe Day 10

Budapest Hungary! You surprised me! I had no idea I would love this city so much! It is really really unique. Some people in our group are staying an extra day here to get some more exploring in. I would love to spend a week here if I could! So much to see and so much variety. We took a 4 hour tour this morning- yes 4 hours! It was amazing! We rode a bus up to Fisherman's castle. What a VIEW! We could see their Parliament building {the gigantic one that is their national government building} We strolled the major market hall where there are two floors of vendors all in rows. Reminded me a little of the Utah State Fair booths that are all inside. Budapest souvenirs are the best so far- cheap and legit and well made. Got some Hungarian paprika! We made it back to the boat for our lunch and I tried Hungarian Goulash for the first time. YUM! Basically it's homemade noodle/dumpling things and pot roast meat? But like the best pot roast meat ever. Topped with gravy. Warren had Cod and it was just as good. Homemade pistachio ice cream for dessert. The food has just been off the hook! Then a small group of us ventured out to go tour the Parliament building but it had closed early on us- so we made our way to St. Stephen's Cathedral. They were having church services while huge groups of tourists flow in and out. haha. Someone in our group joked how the Catholics won't miss out on tourist money. As we headed back to our boat Steve came upon a cute little bookstore and was SHOKED to find an entire row of his thrillers front and center. I guess that Hungary isn't usually a big seller country and so we all went in and he signed their entire stock. The cute little teenagers running the store were in heaven. Steve and Warren found a revolving splash oad and were dodging the fountains like little kids! After wandering the square, Warren and I caught a taxi back to the market mall where we browsed till they closed and then walked down to our river dock and back to our comfy little room. This city is so darling. Having it be our last big hoorah is really the cherry on the cake. We had a delightful last dinner and then the Captain cruised up and down the river as couples waltzed to music with the beautiful city lights illuminating. A fairy tale. We are all packed up and leave in the morning. :/