A Building has Two Faces

About a week ago I was walking down a street (lost again), and found a building with two different faces placed at the top of every other window arch.  At first I thought they were two different people, but then upon closer examination - I think they're the same guy.  One happy face and one angry face - I wonder if this guy was the owner, builder, architect or someone else?  Time to do a little research...

What do you think?

Music Lovers Everywhere

Hungarians are known for their love of music and musicians.  In one of the city squares near the Opera House sits this wonderful sculpture of Franz Joseph Liszt.  I love the expression of his hands, his hair and and tapping foot.  Not sure why he's sitting instead of standing, but...

As I sit here in my bedroom I hear the faint strains of an aria from Madame Butterfly wafting through the open window.  What a perfect Sunday afternoon!  Oh, Katherine - you'd love it here - opera season begins in September!!!

Missing My Pup...

Its probably because I'm missing my pup, Zoli - but I'm noticing dogs everywhere.  Dogs here seem to be better behaved than many I've seen back home.  In general, less hyper and content to be with their owners.  Hungary has a long history of noble hunting dogs - the Hungarian Vizsla.  Here are a few sculptures from a fountain up at the Castle - beautifully done!

A New Doo...

It was eight years to the day that I arrived in Budapest to teach school in Eger.  What an adventure it turned out to be - one that I will never forget.  Today I conquered one of my biggest fears - the Hungarian hairdresser.  Some of you may recall my account of seeing my bike helmet reflection in a window after my last encounter with a hairstylist in Hungary.

My experience today was totally different.  I went to a proper shop and took a picture and used as many hand motions as possible to explain what I didn't want.  I think it worked this time and here are the before and after photos to prove it.

Last night we went to the Fisherman's Walk on Castle Hill to watch the fireworks on the Danube.  It was quite breezy, but we had sweet seats and saw all three synchronized displays from the boats on the river below us.

Here's another gentleman offering me a cake on the side of the road today after my new makeover!

Trevor, Oh Trevor!

The Folk Festival was a feast in more ways than one - for the eyes, the stomach, the mind and spirit.  Months ago my amazingly creative nephew, Trevor Harding, told me that he had been watching a few YouTube videos by a master shoemaker in Hungary.  I had no idea.  SO, dear Trevor, I found your shoe guy and his lovely shoes.  Wish you and Mariel were here to see them in person!

A Few More Felted Fancies!

So much from yesterday's folk festival - I just have to share a few more pics...

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Wish Deb Were Here!

Late yesterday afternoon we took a trek up to Buda Castle for the annual Folk Festival.  I had no idea what a treat was in store.  Over and over again I thought of my sweet friend, Deb Potter.  She would have been in hog heaven to be by my side - fiber artists everywhere.  Most of the artists were from Transylvania, a part of Romania that is full of Hungarians.  These folks work with wool, leather, wood, clay, and all types of fiber.  We saw shoemakers, dancers, musicians, and artists of ages and types.  Felted arts were abundant.  Here's a few shots of the amazing things we saw...

This is a man's coat and is made of felt.  I've never seen one in black and white - the ones I've seen prior to this have been extremely colorful.  Love it in the black & white!

A gray felted hat and blouse with traditional Hungarian motifs.  Again, I've never seen this pattern in gray - fantastic!

And now a bit of handmade lace - boggles the mind that anyone can keep track of what goes where. Makes you realize that we have such potential to create!