BACK IN THE USA

 

There are lots more images from our Central European expedition to edit, and I'll probably put more on Facebook, but it's time to be home. This weekend is the 100th anniversary of the official designation of Route 66, sometimes referred to as America's Mother Road. It starts in Chicago, passes through St. Louis (quite close to our home), and then gradually southwest to Los Angeles. Readers may know the song, with popular covers by St. Louisan Chuck Berry or the Rolling Stones. 

There was a weekend festival to mark the occasion at the Missouri History Museum. One feature was a line-up of classic cars that may have plied the road. This is a 1939 Cadillac La Salle ambulance. Make way.                   

ANOTHER TRAVEL MEMORY - CESKY KRUMLOV

 

Another Central Europe memory, although there are some local things to shoot this weekend if my spine holds out. This is a cold, drizzly day at a cafe in Cesky Krumlov, with no one out for coffee and treats. The old town in southern Czechia, https://www.amazingczechia.com/destinations/cesky-krumlov/ , is the second most visited in the country after Prague.              

CITY DAILY PHOTO MAY THEME - FRUIT

From the Covered Market in Budapest. The prices are in Hungarian forints per kilogram. The names of the products, with one exception, are indecipherable.              

MORE TRAVEL MEMORIES

 

No surprise, but I took a whole lot of pictures during our trip. The quality and variety was limited by my need of a cane and wobbly balance, but some good ones came through. This is Prague, in the palace gardens of Albrect von Wallenstein, the leading general on the Catholic side during the devastating Thirty Years War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrecht_von_Wallenstein. The garden has rare white peacocks, something entirely new to me.               

STL DPB HEADED HOME

 

Got home last night. Flew British Airways from Budapest to Heathrow, then BA's new non-stop service to St. Louis. Big convenience! The flight arrived early although the food was remarkably bad and the little international arrivals area in STL wasn't a good introduction to our town. But we're happy to be here after a fascinating if tiring trip. Now to get our body clocks reset seven hours.                    

STL DPB ON THE ROAD - BUDAPEST BY NIGHT

Our river cruise went back out on the Danube after sunset on our last night onboard. Many of the magnificent riverfront buildings are illuminated. This huge confection is the Hungarian parliament building. 

Budapest is much larger, more beautiful and interesting than I imagined. Unfortunately, I had a lot of trouble walking on this trip. If I can get my spine fixed I'd love to come back with more time. Home today, Tuesday. Just one stop at Heathrow, since BA just started non-stop service to St. Louis. Maybe I'll get more pictures edited on the plane.                                   

STL DPB ON THE ROAD - HUNGARIAN SPICE

 

There is a big, multi-level food hall in central Budapest known as the Covered Market. It is geared toward tourists as much as locals. We have no idea why we would buy a jar of paprika. We use it only occasionally in cooking and buy it at the supermarket. Lots of visitors wanted some, though.

These posts are going up on different days. It's Monday here but will be seen Sunday in North America. We are taking a half-day trip out of the city  today, home tomorrow.