Monday, July 13, 2009

Budapest at its best....

How about this?? Beethoven composed the Moonlight Sonata right here! And I NOW KNOW WHY. Budapest is astonishingly beautiful in a tragic sort of way. It breaks your heart. The Danube is far from blue. In fact it is a muddy brown - but magical, nevertheless. We are staying at the magnificent Four Seasons Hotel on the river bank, and from my large French windows I watch the river's many moods. I went in search of a Hungarian Rhapsody and found it on the first night itself, at a Gypsy concert in the woods. Listening to the 100 gypsies playing Franz Lizt in that enchanting setting, as the sky turned a vivid shade of orange.... then purple.... then dark, velvety black, I nearly turned composer myself.
What really broke my heart were the Baroque buildings riddled with bullet holes from the many wars Hungary has survived. Today, the country is nearly broke, but the Magyars are a proud people. There is so very much I have learnt in these four short days - did you know Hungary is the second largest producer of foie gras in the world after France.... or that its wines are refined and sophisticated enough to compete with the best anywhere, especially the rich Pinot Noir and my personal favourite - a local sparkling white that's better than Champagne?? On that note, shall we say ciao ciao for now? Have to rush to a chic bistro called Menza, close the the Champs Elysee of Budapest for some more bubbles. I'll catch you in a day or two from Prague...

17 comments:

Roshni said...

Hey...I dint know so much abt Hungary...thnks for sharing the info..missing ur regualr blogs.

Saad Shaikh said...

oh! I didn't know Hungary had so much history to it.. seems strange..

enjoy!

The Panorama said...

I have been to Budapest and yes, it is really a beautiful city. Enjoy your trip!

The Unsure Ascetic said...

A famous guy called Pierre Woodman lives there. Ciao.
JJ

Sidhusaaheb said...
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Sidhusaaheb said...
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Sidhusaaheb said...

Vienna, Budapest and Prague...The Golden Triangle of Europe...

:)

Anonymous said...

Why "Cheers" is said.
What is the correct word for "Cheers" in Hindi language.

चंद्रमौलेश्वर प्रसाद said...

"Today, the country is nearly broke"

Is that the reason the country is called hungry....I mean Hungary:) Nice to know about the country- Thanks

Balvinder Balli said...

Hungary and Budapest remind me of my school days when we used to memorise the names of the countries and their capitals. I memorised it by thinking of a hungry old man (hungry budddha)

Shobhaa, do we expect pictures of Hungary in your next post? It would be nice to see the scenic beauty of the country on your blog.

anamika said...

have fun:)
upload some pics for yur committed readers if possible:)

Ida said...

That's really interesting post....I am sure I will never get to see Hungary in my lifetime, great to witness it second-hand:) Like others before me have written, some pics would be really great....if possible...

Mister Crowley said...

Second largest producer of foie gras is it? That's an interesting bit of trivia. And they got their goose cooked by wars. Tsk.

Always wanted to go see the place.

Prerna said...

hi...this is the first time i have come across your blog...its nice to know that you share your travelogue with everybody...m looking forward to read more...thank you

Unknown said...

Excellent post! I really enjoyed reading it. I will be back for more!
Sincerely,
rimi
http://informationclub.org/beauty/beauty.html

introspection said...

Crisp blog. Love your reference to history in bits and pieces. It helps in visualising that era.
How come no pictures...has to be a reason Shobhaa. I m sure the kids must be clicking away. pls share.

Nandinikakoti said...

Indeed a magnificent place..seen in pics sent by friends and now through your words