Put simply, the park is not conveniently located. Well there is a direct bus but we were errrr too lazy to get up for an 11am bus. Anyway exploring a city by using it's public transport is the way to go *thumbs up*. To get there ourselves, we needed to a catch a metro to a tram stop (ok we could have walked but it would have taken 40 minutes), catch a tram from near the Market Hall to Kosztolanyi Dezso ter and then catch bus no. 150... which would take 30 minutes before it reached the park.
Again, all we had to do was put on puzzled looks while staring at the tram map before we were approached by a lovely Hungarian woman who asked if we needed help. Lucky for us she was getting off where we needed to catch the bus and helped us find our merry way. She also mentioned she used to live in the UK and couldn't stand the weather.
The bus ride was pleasant and took us through suburbia. It was evident that about 80% of the passengers were heading to the park. When the bus finally got to our destination, there was generally let-down feeling of 'Oh.... is that all there is???' It felt very Commie out where we were - ok, ok, fine, fine in all respect we were in an industrial area. The barren landscape didn't help.
From the pamphlets and website I got the impression the park was huge... but it's not. I thought the collection of statues was greater... but it's not. It is what it is...... a shitty piece of Hungarian history. It's a nice idea that they kept some statues though. You know, you do need to teach the youngins about the past.
You can say I was a bit crestfallen about Memento Park. I had wanted it to be a 'pretty park with statues' with some commercial drive - oh the irony! But the more I think about it, the more I realise what the Hungarians did for these statues is appropriate. Once the Commie regime fell they really didn't have to keep these sculptures, however banishing them to a bit of outer suburbian wasteland is a fitting idea.
Smee doing his best attempt to be a statue.
A monument ... or something...
The Commie star.
Statues....
...more statues...
... more statues still! Me with Stalin's boots.
Some of the paraphenalia on offer.
A commie car.
The exhibition hall..... ..... mmmm.....right....
I make no pretence that I'm heavy on the political knowledge, but I do like seeing the not-so mainstream stuff. However, I would definitely say for most tourists - don't make a specific trip out to Memento Park. I guarantee you disappointment. But for anyone who has any sort of political interest (no, I'm not encouraging the gathering of Commie extremists) you might want to have a look.
On the tram on our return journey, we ran into a Jazz/Wine festival - noice! Very relaxed atmosphere.
On the tram on our return journey, we ran into a Jazz/Wine festival - noice! Very relaxed atmosphere.
Happy with the previous night's dinner at Kiskakukk, we decided to try another Hungarian restaurant, Oreghalasz Etterem. It was a little out of the way for us but if it's got good food, then it's worth it.
The restaurant was a low key, family style setting. Dishes on offer were humble, non-fussy fare. Definitely not as nice as Kiskakukk. Probably not even nice enough for a return trip. Oh well.
Our dinner choices - fish soup, potatoes with meat (I forget) and a schnitzel again. Hmm yeah it was pretty ordinary. Tomorrow, our final day in Budapest!
2 comments:
I dunno Pooey....that park looks mighty fun to me!!!
Capitalist pig!
Love the photos ! Hmmmm.... i really wonder what i did in budapest now.. hahahaah
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