keepsakebudapest

Budapest has two parts: Buda and Pest. They were two different towns in the past, but now it's the capital city of Hungary. Pest is the bigger part, and it's like a big field. In Buda, there are a lot of hills and mountains. Less people live in Buda than Pest. Between Pest and Buda there's the river Danube. The most beautiful bridge is Chain Bridge. The most popular place with tourists is the Inner City. In Vaczi utca, there are a lot of traditional shops and there you can find Gerbeaud, where you can buy cakes and sweets-also very expensive. In Budapest,
you can travel by bus, underground and tram. There are 3 underground lines.

The Budapest Parliament- by the river Danube, in Pest. But the best view is from Buda. You must see the Opera House! it's very beautiful, also inside. Church of King Matthias is the most beautiful church in the city, built in gothic style. There's a giant cathedral in Esztergom.
There are old churches in other towns- in Tihany, for example. It's very old. Tihany is a town by the lake Balaton. Very nice place to visit. You can see a mosque in Pecs- Pecs is a big town, the biggest in the west part of the country.

If a friend were to come and stay with me, I would show them Heroe's Square, Budapest Zoo, Parliament, Castle of Buda, National Gallery, museums, and I'd also take my friend to a traditional restaurant where she/he can listen our folk music, too. I'd show big libraries with foreingn language-books, where books can be borrowed. But museums are the best places, where she/he can learn about our history, art, literature, culture and people.

In terms of holidays:
20th August- the constitution day, day of St. Stephen who was the first Christian king of Hungary, 1000 years ago. There are big fireworks in the whole country, but the biggest is in Budapest. We remember for
1956 on 23rd October. Students must wear black-and white.

15th March was also an important day in the year 1848- there was a freedom-fight. A famous poemist, Sandor Petofi, wrote his rebellious poem that is like a hymn. Every people must know this poem. Then people put a little Hungarian flag into their dresses that have to wear during the day. Christmas is also very important. We have special Christmas-candies that put onto the Christmas-tree. Little Jesus brings the presents and gifts.

On New Year's Eve, there are big parties in the country. We have also
name-days. Every Hungarian name has a a celebration-day.