The Market Scene

Okay. So I DO have one pondering…..

…..(with apologies to those who thought this could finally be just pretty pics and no view into my thoughts).  It comes after experiencing so many Christmas markets, both in Dec 2016 and on this trip; but especially from this trip.

There are so many local people enjoying these markets and festivals. Families with strollers, older people, friends cruising together. Eating and drinking, browsing the stands, buying sweets, shopping for gifts, people watching, being together.

So. Why don’t I do this where I live? When was the last time I went to a parade or a Ho’olaulea? Ate at a food truck? Did a night out in Chinatown or went to ArtAfterDark? Must I be on vacation to enjoy these pleasures? Yeah, yeah, parking is a hassle at home, and there are a number of other barriers I could list. Will my behavior actually change? I don’t know. But I DO know that we should stop and smell the roses in our own backyards more often.

And, so, to scenes from the people of Budapest’s backyards…….

First, the multi-level Market Hall. Mostly food on the ground level, with the locals out buying their fresh meats and produce, and Nancy and Mel and I easily locating the local pastries.….

And the Christmas markets, with their special foods.

Langos — a Hungarian flatbread or, as they say, “fried bread”.  It’s served with cinnamon/sugar or, as their favorite artery-clogger, with sour cream and grated cheese.  Evidently, it also has magical powers as a hangover helper, opting then just for plain fried bread with garlic and a sauerkraut soup chaser. (Gulp…)

Kurtoskalacs — a “chimney cake”, baked on a spit over hot embers, so that you can watch them brown. Then you peel off sections to eat, from a spiral cut. A variety of ways to serve them, including cinnamon/sugar, with candy sprinkles, filled with chocolate and whipped cream, you name it. Warm and yummy.

And then the usual fare of sausages, goulash served in a bread bowl, mulled cider, fried potatoes, gingerbread, etc

Guess this post actually should be entitled, “The Carbs of Budapest”…..

Next up, and last for this trip, real street scenes of Budapest.