More Pics from Europe - Hungary Edition

I tried to take the back off my computer to see what was making that infernal racket. I didn't do anything except scare my computer into behaving, so I'm going to post pics while it's still moving faster than a melting glacier.

First - Budapest. A beautiful city, so much history we didn't even have a chance to explore. Mom and I went to the ballet one night, Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet, at the Opera House. It was an incredible show - it's amazing how great your art can be when it's appreciated and heavily state-subsidized.

One day of our trip to Hungary was spent in the small town of Kecskemet where we met the mayor and were each given a small bottle of apricot brandy.

Then we were off to the Pusta, a grassland region of Hungary with a history of horesmanship and banditry. We were treated to a riding show of skills and trust between man and horse. Because the land was so flat, the highest point anywhere was on the back of a horse. Also, the horses were taught to lay down and be still to hide in the tall grasses. The rider in the fifth picture has 10 in hand, standing atop two horses, one foot on each. Pretty damn impressive as they were in full gallop at one point. Wow. That wasn't for battle - it was to show off.

 Near the horse grounds was a small working, traditional farm.

Next up - Vienna. Stay tuned...