Rollei RPX 25 in Budapest

Budapest, Hungary. I am probably visiting this city for the umpteenth time, and I am always amazed, taking in the architecture and meanings of this beautiful place. Like Vienna or Prague, it makes you feel the long gone era of its imperial importance, its airs of a truly Central European old city and above all, the indomitable spirit of the Hungarian people in rebuilding their landmarks, after the WWII. This city was almost flattened by the bombing and the fighting between 1944-1945. In this, it is up there with Warsaw: the will to rebuild and regain its role as leading cities in this part of Europe seems to have been paramount when country was again at peace. And they rebuilt it identical to the originals, imagine that.

First couple of times when visiting Budapest I took the route of a tourist, of course: Heroes Place, Vaci Utca, Erszebet Bridge, central buildings, the Parliament, the Tropicarium, the (not so blue) Danube, the Imperial Palace and cathedral, the Citadel, and so many other main tourist attractions. Budapest is full of them, and they are indeed worth of your visit, but they are not everything. Much more awaits your eyes (and camera) if you stray but a few hundred meters from the main tourist routes, of which an innumerable choices can make your visit great.

Budapest, the Parliament – Minox IIIs photograph, with Rollei ATP 1.1

The imperial past vibes are assaulting you from everywhere, and this is not for nothing, for they help the tourists to understand the importance of Budapest in the hearts and minds of the Hungarians. As I have said, they are proud of their past and I am under the impression that they always plan their future according to the said national pride. Your past and the pride of being part of a nation is the first stone when building your future, in my opinion. And of course, the 1956 uprising against communism added to my understanding of this city.

This time, I took a long trip on one of the famous Budapest’s “Hop On-Hop Off” buses, criss-crossing the city and taking tourists to visit the old and also the modern city. My goal was to try and show a city thronged with tourists, which is the blood and life of a beautiful place worth of visiting. Because Budapest really is that, and more. All photographs were shot from the upper deck of the bus, and this is why in some of the photographs you may see the rails of the bus, or at times, the angle is not the best one.

Although the hot weather made it difficult at times to ride the upper, open platform of the buses, I enjoyed it nonetheless. A straw hat and sunglasses, helped by a generous bottle of water put me through the ride without any incidents worth mentioning. The camera I had with me was a Nikon FM3A, loaded with Rollei RPX 25, which proved to be a good choice, given the bright sun that day. Do enjoy!

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