Waltzing along the Danube River

Well, not really waltzing.  Last night we walked and this morning I ran along the Danube in Budapest.

Last night was a beautiful, crisp night in Budapest.  After dark we took a tram to the river's edge.  If we were going to get cold we wanted to get cold walking along the river and not walking TO the river.  It was absolutely gorgeous, even spectacular.  Within view were three bridges all brightly lit.  Across the river there many stately buildings brightly lit up on the banks and hills.  My eyes couldn't stop going from building to building and taking them all in again and again.  It really was a visual feast.  If you are imagining palaces, sculptures, castles, and cathedrals you probably have it about right.

Me with some of my favorite people by the Danube river.

This morning I got up a little early and went for a run along the river.  They have a walking/running/bike path along the river on both sides, and mostly separated from the traffic.  It was enjoyable to run in the chilly morning air and take in the same bridges, palaces, castles, and cathedrals as we had seen last night.  Part of the path was cobblestone but not too bad.

Part of the path both last night and this morning included a Holocaust Memorial.  In 1944 Germany took over the government of Hungary.  This new government lined up Jews on this particular section of the river bank and shot them, pushing their bodies into the river.  The memorial consists of 50 pairs of bronze shoes near the edge of the river wall.

The Holocaust Memorial.

I highly recommend walking and running along the river in Budapest if you are ever in the neighborhood.