BUDA BUDA BUDA pest...

Everything's been closed due to Pentecost (for the last 2 days) so we've just been walking...A LOT.

Yesterday, Rachael and I visited the largest synagogue in Europe, and the Hebrew Museum, before trekking down the main shopping street. We ended at the park, where a large "Millenium Monument" sprawls out in the front entrance. We wanted to find the gorgeous outdoor baths, but instead ran right into a Native American fair...it seemed. There were people in headdresses, singing and playing the drums, and there were vendors galore with lots of good food. It was so random! There were even moon bounces/bouncy castles. haha. We lay down in the grass by the lake, where I fell asleep for a bit, while Rachael read. We finally ended up taking the metro back, only to meet up with our new friends for dinner--

Two cool cats named Barbara and Alistair. They arrived yesterday-- one a girl from Miami who worked on Cadiz in Spain for 2 months, and is now traveling around....and the other a British guy from just outside London, who majored in Physics, and is now traveling around. We bonded in our exhausted states at 4pm or so, after Rachael and my's day of trekking...and then went to a good Hungarian restaurant, before walking around the city some. It was pretty chill. Alistair is so proper and gentlemanly-- he wouldn't even let Barbara pour the wine at dinner. Barbara is lively and outgoing, and has funny stories of her experiences working at the hostel in Spain. It's a random group, but they're all great. I love it.

Today we walked to the other side of the river, hiking up the hill to see the "Citadella"-- a gorgeous monument. It was quite the trek. Then we got lunch. And before we knew it, it was 4:30. We wanted to get to the baths, but it's getting so late...we might not make it!

Tomorrow we're set to explore the labyrinth and then the "House of Terror" (a museum that was used during World War Two to house a group of Jews..pretty intense), before flying to Brussels!! Whew. Time is FLYING.

I'm wiped now...it's so hot. I love the iced tea here. So delish. Also, I figured out a way to strap my nalgene to my camera bag, so I can carry it constantly. Awesomeness. The little things in life...ahh. :)

Soon I'll be home! I miss home a lot...but I am having fun, too. Always a conflict!

OK well tata for now, friends. I'll probably next write from Brussels!!

Ciao belle.
Anna.