Day 9

Yesterday we repeated the leisurely touring of the city like the day before.  We first slept in and just moved around the city at our leisure.  We wanted to make sure we saw the old clock and its moving parts at noon and we did.  We walked the pedestrian walkway and shopping area and bought a few things......we cannot buy much due to our small luggage.

WE visited St. Stevens church which was quite "goddy"....pardon the pun, but it was.  We did get a nice free concert for a few minutes...the choir and organ were practicing.

We just walked around and tried to see places we missed before.  The weather for the first time did nott cooporate....it drizzled and very cool most of the day but did not hinder our progress.  As I have said, the weather has been spectacular every day, so one day we   could suffer.

For dinner we decided we did not want the usual meat and dumplings so we decided on a Thai restaurantin the old market (we visited it that day and did buy some candy there).   It was really good and quite cheap.

We had a very nice walk home and to bed early because we had to get up at 5:45 am for our trainto Budapest. 

Day 10

Not a good start.  Our train was cancelled and we were told (as we were at the platform) that we had to go to another station to catch it.  We hired a cab and were off to the other station, once there we stood in line for about 15 minutes before we were told that we had the wrong stationand to go to yet another station and catch the 10:50 am train.  We made it and had a nice trip (best train so far) to Budapest (3 hours).  Once there we got a cab to the hotel and for a second time found out at the hotel that the taxi driver cheated us and charged almost 2x the price.  WE got cheated also in Prague the same way.  There was no way we would have know until we got to the hotel  and asked and found out the truth.  The taxi in Budapest even had a meter....so we have to be careful in Krakow or it may happen again.  Luckily it was only 10 or so dollars more but it is the priciple.

We arrived and immedately ate a wonderul Hungarian lunchof stuffed cabbage and goulash. We walked all over and walked thier pedestrian walkway and enjoyed the area.  I kept asking if anyone worked because the area was very crowded with locals IN THE AFTERNOON.  So now we are back at the hotel resting from our trip and getting ready for happy hour.

By the way, the weather here in Budapest if incredible......around 75 and not a clowd in the sky.

Also interesting enough but so far we have found that Prague is a much prettier city than Budapest.  WE have been told by others that this place was their favorite but so far (just one day) Prague has it beat scenic wise.  But tomorrow we start our serious touring, hitting the castle, the parliment building and other important places.  Also getting around is somewhat harder here but again we will see tomorrow.

Vienna was gorgeous and very easy to get around but of cuorse we got lost a few times....our mistake of course.  Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous too, so we will have a nice day to tour the city.

I will fill you in on dinner......we are trying to find a neat Hungarian restaurant to try tonight....of course after happy hour.