I didn't know, but I do now.......Budapest started as Pest-Buda. It is a city divided by the Danube river. We are staying on the Pest side, where most of the business, tourism and action is. The Buda side is more residential, peaceful and green.
The city itself, and the country, have been through so much in the last 70 years, I can not even imagine or compare the rich history here to anything like it in the United States. The history began here long before the destruction of World War II, but for most of us, that is as long ago as we know. You have to know the history of Budapest, to know and appreciate the people living here and the city in which they live.
The Hungarians had partnered with Germany and Italy in war efforts, but until late in 1944, the Hungarian jewish population had been protected. That all changed 10 months prior to the end of the war when Hungary began talks to switch alliances. At that point, Hitler began the immediate deportation and extermination of the Hungarian Jews. We walked by a memorial on the Danube river of bronzed shoes. This was where local Jews where brought, shot and left in the river.
After the devastation of WWII, Budapest came under Communism rule. For about 45 years, the people lived the purest form of socialism, ruled by fear and violence. In 1989, between the year Zach was born and Molly, so much resistence to the leadership lead to the surrender of the rulers and a democratic republic was born. Not an easy transition either. Much unemployment, much hunger, difficult life for many.
As I walk around this city, I think of this history. I see old people on the streets, hunched over, walking with canes, carrying their grocery bags. I wonder what they have seen in there life time. I see a Jewish man, wearing a yamika (sp?). I wonder how he feels living here. I see kids my childrens age and think how much more the world can offer to them then what was offered to their parents. Some of the people look sad, grey, unhappy and I can understand why. But inside the somber body, the people we have met, seem genuinely kind and helpful and maybe this is a result of hope and new opportunity.
