Beth Mabry: Budapest

I decided to try something different for thanksgiving this year. I've never gone on a solo trip before, and decided that it was something I wanted to try. For the past four summers, we've lead a team of students on a mission trip to Hungary. Each summer, we drive through Budapest to get to and from our ministry site. And each summer, I get home wishing that I had more time to get to explore the beautiful city without being responsible for 20+ students.

I've really enjoyed our summer ministry in Hungary and getting to meet Hungarians and hear their stories has been a great experience. I think it's a beautiful country with great people, that have overcome a tremendous amount of pain throughout the country's history.

During my time in Budapest, I visited several great museums that gave me a great understanding of Hungarian history and how the country arrived at its present state. I learned that Hungary has been occupied a lot. They got a raw deal after WWI and its borders were redrawn. The Hungarian language is really challenging and its unknown where it stems from. Asia perhaps?

Public transportation: I learned that Hungary has the oldest electric line on the European continent. Their M1 line has been operating since the late 1800s. Today, Budapest's metro is a sharp contrast to London's tube system that I rode earlier in the week. They are metal boxes in great need of gallons of oil. They are Soviet era trains (from the 1970s), and they still run! Budapest's public transportation was really great and easy to navigate. There are 4 metro lines, 5 or 6 (?) trams, and lots of city buses. I bought a 3 day pass that allowed me to unlimited rides on any form of transportation for less than $7 a day.

^ On my final morning, I had to be up early to catch my shuttle to the airport. It was a little weird riding this three lane escalator all by myself!

^ Budapest has a great Tram system. There are two trams running up and down each side of the river, and then a few other trams running in an outer circle through the city. I think they're sorta cute.

I saw...

A Cave Church. This church was fully operational until the WWII, when it became a refuge for Jews and others hiding from the Nazi vs. Soviet battle of Budapest. When Hungary fell to communism, the cave was sealed up. When the wall fell, the concrete wall sealing the church was torn down.

^ A flag representing Hungary's heart for its nation and for God.

Hospital in the Rock. There's 10km of cave/tunnels running under Budapest's castle district. During WWII, a hospital was constructed in a 1km section of the tunnels. It was meant to be a nurses aid station, or first response for injured civilians and soldiers. At the peak of the war, it housed 600+ patients. Photography wasn't allowed, so you'll just have to take my word that it was really cool. It's filled with its original

The Terror House - a museum about communism and Hungary's history. This was probably one of the best museums I've toured. They did a great job of setting the right mood and atmosphere in each room. The tour started with the Nazi occupation of Hungary (Budapest) during WWII. Hitler believed Budapest to be an important city and commissioned the Arrow Cross (Hungarian Army) to maintain control of it at all costs. They battled the Soviets, and at the peak of the battle, the city was under siege for a month, before finally falling to the Soviets. Over night, Arrow Cross soldiers changed their uniforms and began wearing Soviet uniforms. 1 in 10 Hungarians died during the war. Hungary eventually became part of the Eastern Bloc. The AVO, a KGB-like military police controlled the county. The Terror House was one of their jails and interrogation points. The museum went on to display what life was like under communist control. It highlighted the 1956 revolution, where young Hungarians rebelled against the oppressive control. Many of the AVO officers were not brought to justice for their atrocities against the Hungarian people.

^ A memorial to the church under communism - a cross exposed through two layers of flooring. Under communism, the government felt threatened by the church and its allegiance to God and His Word. Churches were shut down and Christians were arrested.

Parliament Building - I think Hungary's parliament building is really beautiful. It sits right along the river and the architecture is really cool.

Kossuth Square, in front of the Parliament Building - the site of the 1956 rebellion.

^ Rebels cut the Soviet emblem out of their Hungarian flag as a sign of rebellion.

^ Actual bullet holes/metal plates from the rebellion.

Shoes on the Danube - Many Jews were killed in Hungary during the Holocaust. This a memorial to the Jews that were killed at gunpoint along the river. They'd line Jews up and shoot them, and their bodies would fall into the river. When they ran low on bullets, they'd tie a number of people together and shoot one person, and when that person fell, they'd bring those tied to them into the water with them. It was an incredibly somber sight. There were a variety of shoes representing the many Jews that were killed. Shoes for men, women and children. Work boots, dress shoes, everyday wear.

The Grand Synagogue is the second largest synagogue in the world, only behind the one in New York. I was surprised to learn that. I figured Israel would have the largest and grandest synagogue. I was also surprised to learn that it was designed by a Gentile from Austria. I guess when they renovated it after WWII, they wanted it to look amazing and asked a designer from Austria to do it. Because the designer wasn't a Jew, it actually has more church-like features.

St. Matthias Church, on castle hill near the Fisherman's Bastion.

St. Stephen's Basilica was gorgeous. One of the city's Christmas Markets set up in its courtyard.

I found a small hotel in in a great location! It was a block away from the Elizabeth Bridge, on top of a metro line and bus route, and very close to a tram stop. It was in an old city building. It took me a little while to figure out how to get in, as I needed to push a code and get buzzed in. As I entered, I came into a courtyard and had to climb 3 levels to the hotel floor.

^ It had a pretty cool, very old, iron gated elevator.

The New York Cafe is one of Europe's fanciest cafes, and it's where I celebrated Thanksgiving. I stumbled upon pictures of the cafe on Pinterest and have wanted to visit it ever since. It's still set in turn of the century decor. There was a pianist playing music int he background and the wait staff was dressed in classy black and white uniforms. I enjoyed it!