Well...we survived the night train. And it was a tad bit iffy at first. At first sight we noticed one thing, that the windows to the sleeper car were wide open and there was no AC. We hauled our luggage into our compartment and then we "unpacked" for the night. What I mean to say is that we situated our luggage into a manner so we could sort of move around our belongs without tripping over them. Our compartment had two bunks, a tiny sink, and I guess what is supposed to be a closet. However, at about 1 X 3 I am not exactly sure what you are supposed to be able to put away in it.

Stevie took the top bunk and God bless her for two reasons. First, it was hot as an attic up there. Second, I am not sure how exactly I would have gotten in and out of the top bunk without working up a sweat even with a ladder.

 

Eventually we became used to the rocking, moving, stopping, and adding and releasing of train cars and fell asleep until we reached Budapest, Hungary.

When we arrived at our hotel in Budapest it was like we were in a different world. We are staying in a hotel that used to be a villa in the 1700s but was renovated into a very nice hotel that is a world away from our night train last night.

 

We then set off to do the most Hungarian thing we could find to do on a hot summer afternoon. We

headed for the Szechenyi Baths. These are thermal baths that date back to the 1800s and produce water that is very warm (approximately 100 degrees) and has jets and bubbles. This was quite an experience. The building that surrounds the outdoor baths and holds the locker rooms, indoor baths, and cabins was absolutely beautiful. However, I think some of the most entertaining parts of our time there was people watching. My, my, my what some people wear as bathing suits. We thought one of the funniest things was the older ladies using the shower caps like we have at the hotel as swimming caps and the older Hungarian men in their Speedos. Interesting to say the least.