Paprika

01.12.06

Our week of R&R is rollicking by. Thursday already and, you'll know we saw Caravaggio's David with the Head of Goliath picture in the Budapest Fine Arts Gallery. It formed part of an excellent little exhibition comprising about 12 pictures showing many severed heads to depict the grusomeness and the transcendence of human life... I thought it was extremely well thought out and executed ('scuse the pun).

The rest of the gallery was free and we had a bit of a look around and took advantage of the complimentary guided tour in English of the Spanish pix (including five El Grecos, pretty cool). But the whole place was really in preparation mode for a huge Van Gough exhibition that starts there on Friday. While I'd love to see it, after watching people on Tuesday already lining up for ages to pre-buy tickets, it just won't be worth battling with the Hermitage-style queues that are bound to turn up. Sorry Vincent (but I could've told you...)

Yesterday we hit the shops and bought some clothes that are frivilous rather than practical (yay, I am SO sick of thermys!), some of which we can wear to the opera tomorrow night, so we are both feeling happy and beautiful.

Budapest is pretty amazing. The town is fairly old, I guess, lots of early 19th century buildings, curving boulevards and art deco touches. Those who have been reckon it's a little like Vienna in appearance- I will judge this when we visit the Austrian capital in a few weeks' time. Haven't done much sightseeing although we've crossed the Danube a couple of times. Planning to have a Hungarian bath tomorrow or Saturday as well so that should be an experience!