Technically I don’t live in the library (so I can’t really call it “my digs”), but moving library spaces felt as huge as moving apartments would. Awhile ago, we left that super pretty library (remember the comfy chairs?) and moved to the Hungarian National Library (Szechenyi Library) which, although beautiful and housed in a former CASTLE, on a hill, has rock hard chairs. My bum cares less about the history and more about not being permanently flattened. But this library is open until 8:00pm and, with my research deadline looming, late nights have been necessary!
The whole area by the library is a major tourist attraction, with the former castle now acting as a museum as well (this part of Hungary is on my swell new day timer too). Up here you will also find important sites like Matthias Church (that’s the church with the stunning turquoise roof in this series of photos) and Fisherman’s Bastion. Plus there is an excellent view of the city, including striking views of the Parliament.
The first few nights we worked late, we stumbled out of the library dazed and alarmed that the local patisseries were closed (no cake?!?), but now we’ve learned to stop and marvel. What a treat for the eyes (I’m not sure my belly needs any more treats anyway).
Really foggy nights (or is this smog?) make for an even more amazing sight, because the world looks fuzzy and glowy.
Yup, the heat is on in terms of needing to really boogie to get the rest of my research done, ideally by mid-December, but the heat is also literally on at home. Readers had asked how our weird little heating system works and now I know! It’s called a “cserép kályha,” which means tile stove (here’s a bunch more), and it is heated with gas. The pilot light was a little alarming at first, but we got used to it and really love this heating system! It heats metal behind the stove and the tiles keep the heat, radiating it into the room. I haven’t had a gas bill yet (I’m scared!) but we rarely turn it on because it keeps the apartment toasty for long, so I’m hoping it’s cheap to run. It extends to the other side of the room, where we tuck our clothes dryer, which makes the rest of the apartment warm, plus it dries our clothes in record time!
Coming home is a treat because (being that I am so silly), I barely packed enough warm clothes. I had to buy a hat and warmer socks! I think I thought, “I’m a tough Canadian, we get 50 feet of snow, what’s a Hungarian fall to me??” But boy, is it damp here – that bone chilling, ear hurting cold. Especially when one is traipsing around in a fake version of the Labyrinth of Buda Castle.
Wow… that is a gorgeous library!
Can you believe this was once a castle (although it's been rebuilt and no longer the same)? People LIVED up there. Talk about a room with a view, right?
What a beautiful place.You are one lucky lady to get to experience this.I can't even imagine being surrounded in such history.Amy
Thanks for the reminder, Amy. You always make me feel awesome and I forget all the things that bug or frustrate me. I appreciate it!
What a stunning building. I hate to think of how boring Ontario is going to seem after all this luxe.
There is bad with the good. The library is so complicated to get into and the staff are mostly crabby toward me. Sometimes the bus there is so packed, some people noses are literally squashed against the glass as the doors squeeze shut. There is plenty to miss about lovely, spacious Ontario!! But yes, it is gorgeous here.
Great photos – what a gorgeous library. I'm glad you are taking the time to appreciate it.
Thanks! I love taking photos and being here has been great practice! I am learning that, even with my crummier camera, photos at dusk turn out so lovely! Taking photos at night took a few tries . . .
WOW! Those night time photos are stunning! Looks like a gorgeous place!
Thanks Ashley!! I am looking forward to framing a few when I'm home. Now, I always SAY that, but this time I might mean it 🙂
It's true, such a beautiful place! I enjoy every photo you post from Hungary. Eeeeeww! I hate being chilly- and don't feel wimpy, Canadians can take the cold you just weren't prepared for the damp cold- it is terrible. And your description of ear hurting cold resonates. I can take the cold when it drops to -30C and stays there but when it oscillates from 0C to -10C, the 10 below feels colder than a steady -30C. That's why Albertans seem tough and Ontarians seem wimpy- sometimes Ontario winters are all over the place and it's hard to acclimatize. Not that I relish trying to start my car in the very low double digits. Stay warm!
I'm so happy you enjoy the photos!!! I try to pick the prettiest ones from the bunch (and not go overboard with trip themed goodness). The damp is the worst, right? Growing up in Thunder Bay I was used to crisp cold. Damp cold just chills my bones and my joints hurt. I hear it is going to get cold-cold here, not sure what that means but I suspect I'll be walking less and cramming myself onto a too-full bus more, lol.