Took subway, with its cool tri-poles, under the river from buda to pest to see jewish quarter. Jews lived outside castle in buda during middle ages (ruins still buried), but pest is where ghetto was in ww2. Now it features the 'Ruined bars' (truly unique!l) and there are still 3 synagogues here. Went inside orthodox one that was used as a stable during war, with its 5 armed menorahs. Grand shul, largest? In Europe, holds 3000 people and looks like a church. Its on the site where herzl was born. And the third, which is not active, is a "breakaway" from the grand shul. Finished at the holocaust shoe memorial by the river. Also went to a memorial by Hungarian govt to the German occupation, but it has been criticized as being innaccurate & revisionist - Hungarian jews were not killed by nazis but by hungarians, who were allies of the nazis. After the tour, and again after dinner, split up to explore the restaurants, castles, churches, baths, markets, museums (free wine Wednesday!) and parks around the city. Interesting fact - Budapest was bombed by Americans, russians and germans as it changed hands multiple times during the war. As we learned in Slovakia, hungary "bad". BTW US embassy here, like in Bratislava, is fenced/guarded with no photography allowed - MAGA! Ended day at light-sound show at fountain. Budapest stunning at night with castles, parliament and bridges all lit up. Great city!
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