Language school has been the main event of August at the Mann household. We still gave one week remaining of this intensive summer class. Last week, our class went out to tour the streets surrounding the classroom in the sixth district of Budapest. Emese, who has been teaching our children in language school, first took us to Andrássy utca. She pointed out faces on the buildings which are crafted similarly to how statues are formed. I've noticed them all over the city but didn't think they had much more significance than a decorative one. Emese said they are thought to protect those inside from the evil outside, like a rabbits foot or other good luck charm!
The next sight was that of IL Bacio Di Stile (19 Andrássy út) owned by a billionaire in his young age. He still pays the rent but the beautiful building is closed now.
Next sight was an important five star hotel directly across from opera house. It is also closed but protected as a historic landmark. The Opera building itself was opened in 1818. When it first opened, only the rich could afford to go. Since another bigger and cheaper opera house opened in the eighth district, the opera entertainment is more accessible niw to the working class people.
Our next stop was an intersection on two streets: Terézváros, a tribute to the people of Vienna, and Nagymező meaning "big field".
The Liszt Ferenc statue is well known in Hungary, but be sure not to call it by its other name, Franz Liszt, which won't be well appreciated. He was a pianist with big hands. Apparently there is some debate to whether or not he really was Hungarian. The airport shares his name, but they are not in any way connected. Anything art and music related are, however, named after him.
Our next stop was Király utca. Király means "king". We have a slang term to say something rules (ex. This pizza rules!) Well, to say something rules in Hungarian, simply say "Nagyon király!" Király utca was always a Jewish street our leader said whom lives on the opposite end of the street. Many of the neighborhood shops are closed or have been closing since the events of 2008.
We took notice of some weird signs the British people hung and observed the works of graffiti artists.
Murals are used as fire walls (tűzfal), protecting buildings against fires. Some of the murals can change like this bull one but some won't like the map one. It portrays the heart of the city promoting locals to one day leave the city to get out and see more of the world.
The tour ended at the Dohány utcai Zsinagóga, or Jewish synagogue. In the courtyard is a graveyard because of a massacre in 1945 where unidentified bodies were left. Otherwise, there would not normally be graveyards in Jewish communities. The building itself is very oriental looking and quite a sight to behold. I hope to return and see the inside someday soon.
It's so fun to learn about the county God has called us to!
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