DAY 52
Tuesday June 21 2005
Hungary is the most beautiful place I have ever been and is giving Paris a run for its number one spot. Eger is beautiful.
I woke up this morning with the knowledge that I am splitting off from the tour group today. I need some alone time. I know, rather antisocial of me, but there it is. I woke up with such excitement, like a kid at Christmas. I plan on spending my entire day just exploring Eger.
I slept in till 10 am, then hit the streets on a quest for a good chocolate croissant and coffee, ah, it's easy living in Eger. :-)
While out and about I ran into Norm and Norma, a couple on the tour, and they invited me to their table, this happens often in our group. I ended up having the best coffee I have had since Seattle. Pretty soon, Jayne another tour member, was walking by and we waved her over. The four of us ended up sitting and chatting for what seemed like an hour in the outdoor cafe. They are very comfortable people to be around. I really enjoyed this time, good company, good food, the sun was shining and what a scenic atmosphere!
After that I went to the indoor/outdoor market. They had the flower market and the fresh produce market. In the square some Ecuadorian Indians were playing music. How lovely. Then I spent a couple of hours exploring the castle and the castle ramparts.
By the time I finished with that I was very hot, as the sun had been shining all day, so I took off to try the Outdoor Thermal Baths of Eger. Ah, what bliss! I am so glad I split off on my own today. I went into the complex and changed to my swim suit and walked out onto the grounds. This place is HUGE! It had 7 to 10 full size and sometimes double full sized swimming pools. In between each pool was expansive park like grassy fields with people laying out on towels working on their tans. Around the fields was a carnival like atmosphere with tents selling everything from croissants to sunglasses. Also around the fields were many, many outdoor eateries just for the people in the bathing complex. I went swimming for hours! I sure I will have quite a sunburn, but it was worth it. I went to the thermal sulfur pool, the cool pool, the hot pool, and a few others. When I hit the water, muscles I didn't even know I had unclenched. Even writing this now and remembering how my day went makes my whole body relax.
Only twice in 13 years that I have been with Jeff have we went swimming together. Which is a pity. Indoor swimming pools just aren't the same, and then coming wet out into the cold Alaskan winter doesn't make it a picnic either.
Even though I am not a strong swimmer I love to swim. All the better if I can swim in the sunshine or under the stars and to swim in any warm climate is the best of all. Well, today it was hot and sunny and I had my choice of swimming pools. Life is heaven.
What a relaxing day! Many, many hours later I left the complex and went for a fruitless search for an Internet cafe. The I went on a successful search for a great pizza.
To me it seems that Eger surpasses Paris in being the most romantic city. There is always music floating on the air and young lovers passionately kissing on bridges, in swimming pools, town squares and in general all over the city. I have also seen more babies and strollers here than in any other city, except Haarlem near Amsterdam.
Well I have had a long, full day and I am taking my sunburned body off to the shower and bed with the contented knowledge that this day out of all others as been the best vacation day so far.
Good Night.
Can you guess who the architect was?
