Budapest in September

It was not only the weather which made our vacation different from Norway. It is the cost of living. Compared to Norway, where everything is expensive, the cost of transportation, food and hotel, among others, is cheaper.

Our three-day trip to Budapest was a pleasant respite from the crazy weather of Oslo. Summer this year in Oslo was unlike last year which was more sunny and warm. I didn't feel it was summer at all, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 19 degress celsius. Days were mostly cloudy with intermittent rainfall. 

Taking advantage of the three-day vacation, we decided to go to Budapest, capital of Hungary. Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

It was a clear, sunny afternoon when the Norwegian Air DY1550 landed safely at Budapest Airport which tool off from Oslo two hours earlier. At 30 degrees celsius, we took off our jackets and put on our sunglasses. During the duration of our stay in the city, the temperature ranged from 29n to 31 degrees. No complaints. I guess I missed Manila"s hot, humid weather.

Before leaving Oslo, we arranged online for a taxi to fetch us from the Budapest Airport and bring us to our hotel,which is about 20 kms away. We paid only 31 Euros,equivalent to about 279 Norwegian Kroner (Nok). This is cheap, compared to our taxi fare of 200 Nok from our flat in Oslo to the Central Station which is around 1.6km. 

We checked in at Bohem Art Hotel, an industrial-chic hotel near the city center and walking distance to public transportation. The personnel were courteous and accommodating. As it was already past 3pm, we immediately went on a TukTuk tour. We wanted to maximize our time and visit as many tourist sites as possible.

Like other European cities, Budapest has several modes of sightseeing tours like the Hop on, Hop off buses, boat rides and walking tours. We chose the TukTuk first, which offered different tours with their tiny, cute cars. TukTuk has the Margaret Island tour to explore the island's attractions; the 360 Twister tour which goes up to the 360 rooftop terrace to have a panoramic view of the city and free cocktail at the bar, and the 21 Hungarian classic tour with a taste of the traditional Ghoulash soup in the Buda Castle, at the 21 Restaurant.

We chose the two-hour tour which brought us through the narrow streets of the city not passable by the buses. It seats only two with a driver who also served as the tour guide. It reminded me of the tuktuk in Thailand, one of the modes of transportation popular among tourists.

Daniel, our handsome tour guide first brought us to the Heroes' Square, one of the major squares in Budapest. It is famous for its iconic statue complex featuring the seven chieftains of the Magyars, other important leaders and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The square has been the site of many political and cultural events. 

Then we proceeded to the Gellert Hill, a 235 meter high hill overlooking the Danube River. At the top of the hill is the Citadella (Citadel), a kind of fortress. Also on the hill is the Liberty Square or Freedom Statue. It symbolizes the sacrifices of those who fought for the independence, freedom and prosperity of Hungary. From the top, we had a good view of the city and the Danube River which separates Buda and Pest. 

With the TukTuk, we managed our own time, no pressures. We stopped, walked around and took photos. We covered all the must-see sites and more. Daniel is knowledgeable of Budapest history. He narrated the people's struggles against different races and nations which occupied Hungary. He described the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, the first major threat to Soviet control since the USSR forces drove out the Nazis from Hungary after WWII. Although the revolution was crushed, it brought students, militia and armed civilians in a nationwide struggle against communist rule. 

Our TukTuk tour came with a free one hour boat trip on the Danube. The guided boat took us to the spectacular sights of both sides of the river. The Hungarian Parliament building, a magnificent example of Neo-Gothic architecture, can be seen along the Danube River. It is the third larget parliament building in the world. It has 691 rooms, 20kms of stairs and is 96m high.

Also across the river is the historical Buda Castle and palace complex. And we passed under some of the bridges spanning the Danube: Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge and the Margaret Bridge.

After the boat tour, we had dinner at Spoon Cafe and Lounge, a boat restaurant on the Danube beside the Chain Bridge. It serves European, Hungarian, Contemporary, International and Fusion cuisine. It is listed as expensive restaurant We were pleasantly surprised that our bill amounted to just half of what we usually spend at a restaurant of the same category in Oslo.

Day Two

The next day was even warmer, but I didn't mind. We took the Big Bus Hop on, Hop off tour instead of the City Sightseeing Tour we usually take in other cities because it offered a free river cruise on the Danube and a free night bus tour.The ticket cost only 25 Euros per person, good for two days. A City Sightseeing Tour in Oslo is 315 Nok, equivalent to about 35 Euros, good for 24 hours.

The Big Bus Tour included 27 tourist/historical sites. After one complete round, we decided to hop off at the St. Stephen"s Basilica, the third largest and highest church building in Hungary. A Roman Catholic church, it is named in honor of Stephen, the first King of Hungary. His "Incorruptible" right hans is said to be housed in the reliquary. 

The Great Market Hall or Central Market Hall is the biggest and oldest indoor market in Budapest. It is popular among tourists and locals alike. The building has three floors: ground floor has stalls which sell produce, meats, spices, pastries; second floor has souvenirs and eateries; and the basement has butcher shops, fish market and pickles. The Market is located at the end of Liberty Bridge, Pest side. It reminds me of Greenhills Shopping Center in Quezon City.

With the day bus tour, the river cruise and night tour, we saw the beauty and splendor of Budapest in three perspectives. What we saw on the ground took on a different form on board the boat. And the sights, such as the magnificent Parliament and the Buda Castle with lights on seemed to sparkle as gold. The lights on the bridges also exuded beauty and elegance not apparent at daytime.

Day Three

Our return flight to Oslo was at nine in the evening so we had time to ride the Funicular, from the Adam Clarke Square and the Chain Bridge at river level all the way up to the Buda Castle. It is a short ride but at the top one can have a panoramic view of the Pest side of Budapest. Also at the top is the Castle Hill in between the Royal Palace and the Hungarian Presidential Palace.

The historic Fisherman's Bastion is a few hundred meters walk from the Presidential Palace.It is a beautiful terrace with towers in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque architecture near Matthias Church. The lookout towers and balconies are some of its attractions where one can have a panoramic view of the whole city. The seven turrets represent the seven Hungarian tribes who founded the present day country in 895.

The Matthias Church (Church of our Lady of Buda) is a Roman Catholic church located in front of the Fisherman's Bastion. It was built in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 15th century. Originally named after the Virgin Mary, it was named after King Matthias in the 19th century who ordered the transformation of its original southern tower. In 1944-5, it was used as a camp by the Germans and Soviets during the Soviet occupation of Hungary.

Before we left the place, we had lunch at a nearby garden restaurant selling local food. We ordered Langos, a Hungarian food specialty, a deep fried flatbread. It looked like a pizza. It was good.

We paid for a return trip in the Funicular, which is only 1,800 Hungarian Forint, about 6 Euros per person but decided to take a bus near Matthias Church that took us down the hill to the city where we took a metro train. Thus we were able to use the 72-hour travel card worth 4,140 Hungarian Forint, about 14 Euros only.

As the plane was taking off from the Budapest Airport, I took one last look at the light of the city. Goodbye, beautiful city. Goodbye, pleasant weather.

Back to Oslo. Winter is coming.
  

Happy birthday Mama Mary!

This was my second visit to the dermatologist. And she told me I have nothing to worry about. I only had to continue applying the cream on the affected area. I had the cancer scare and I prayed hard as I always do, that it is not cancer. Thank God and all saints. And the news came on this day, the birthday of Mama Mary. 

More than 10 years ago, I got was confined for bronchitis. I had been smoking two packs of cigarette a day. After 5 days of confinement, I realized the hazards of smoking are real. As if I didn't know...So when I was discharged, I quit smoking, cold turkey. No candies, no artificial cigarettes. 

I believe that was a wake-up call. When my sister, Florabel had colon cancer, I knew then that Jesus, the Healer spared me. Thank God!

I went to church, prayed the rosary and lighted candles in thanksgiving.

Living alone...

I could not leave for Seattle together with my friend on July 15 because my passport with the tourist visa had not arrived. The advice said it usually takes at least  10 days for processing and mailing. Today is  the 9th day, and it has not arrived. Hope and pray it will arrive tomorrow, the 10th day.

So for the past six days I have been alone in the apartment. I went out once to the embassy to see my friends there. And every two days, I would throw away the garbage to the bin exclusively for residents of our apartments and then drop by the grocery store nearby. 

I can't say living alone is boring, because I am a homebody. There are always things to do, aside from cleaning the house, washing and ironing clothes. I upload photographs of our travels I took last month to Facebook, or send some to instagram and CNN iReport. 
And of course now I have time to write my blog.

I have resumed reading again, this time a novel by Dag Solstad, reputably Norway's "bravest, most intelligent novelist" entitled 'Professor Andersen's Night'. This was recommended by a journalist-friend. I haven't read any novel in ages...

But living alone is lonesome. At the end of the day I long for someone to talk to, someone I can share my joys and dreams; someone who can advise me whenever I have problems and heartaches. And of course someone to share the pillow with me.

But prayers help me get by. I turn to God as I always do. I pray to Jesus, Mama Mary, St Joseph and all saints who have always helped me. And I read the Bible readings and gospel for the day. 
My faith helps me get through the day.

Thank God! US tourist visa after denials...

Finally, after two or three denials, my application for tourist visa was approved by the US Embassy here in Oslo. I asked friends and family to pray the Lord will grant me this wish. Thank God, Mama Mary and all saints ( can't mention them all here). 

Last Thursday, July 9 was a red letter day. It was actually the 9th day of my novenas to Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, and St. Expeditus. My friend, Merlyn,told me to relax and believe that the visa will be given. And with a lot of confidence and Faith, I relaxed. 

The Consul/ officer who interviewed me was very nice and not intimidating.I think he was in his early 50's. I was prepared to answer questions they usually asked : about my husband ( we are separated in fact), my daughter, and the purpose of my trip. I didn't bring any documents about financial capability like bank accounts, cars, house,etc. If these were to be asked, I had my friend's Affidavit of Support and Employment Contract. 

The last time my application was denied in Athens (2011), the officer could not believe I  was already separated. "Why are you still wearing your wedding ring?" he asked, looking at my accessory ring. I took it off, showed him that it was just one of those accessories I bought for 7 Euros from a Filipino. It was not my wedding ring. That didn't help.

I have always wondered why my visa applications were denied three times when I had been to the US three times - in 1981 (A2 visa), 1994 (B1/B2 visa) and in 2005 (A2 visa). And I would  emphasize that after all these travels to the US, I always returned to the Philippines. I never thought of doing a TNT even when my daughter was already an immigrant, and now a US citizen.   

This time, the Consul just asked me about the purpose of my trip and my relationship with the friend who was inviting me, about my employer (Diplomat) and about my work as the Private Staff. I had a feeling he already studied my application and whatever appeared in my past applications. After interviewing No. 44, I noticed he was reading documents, and I think it took him about 10 minutes or so. Little did I know that I would be his next interviewee at No. 46!

I was anxiously waiting for the verdict. Then he said, with a smile, " Okay, I will give you your visa. But you come back." I almost cried and said, " Yes, yes, I will. God bless you!"

Now I am waiting for the passport with the US visa. Hope and pray it will arrive soon.

God is good. He answers our prayers in His time. Though I have unanswered prayers yet, I believe He knows what is best.