Best horoscopes ever! Plus Budapest!

I want these to be true: (By now, you know that I believe in the wisdom of horoscopes, at least when I like them...)

February 12, 2010: Most of the planet doesn't deal well with change. Fortunately, you just love it. You're a living example of how great the ebb and flow of the universe can be. Keep those facts in mind today when you're trying to deal with others who aren't quite so open to last-minute modifications in their carefully planned schedules. They may not be kindred spirits, but they're fellow humans. Convince them to loosen up.

February 13, 2010: Ready to have 'em laughing in the aisles again and to rejuvenate your reputation as a party animal? Well, if you're not, someone else will be only too happy to do it for you -- someone who's seen you in action, entertaining the entire room with just one ridiculous facial expression. Oh, stop acting like it's an inconvenience. You know you want to come out and play.

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I think life is looking up. I'm supposed to be a party animal again. One of my not-so-secret talents is surely making faces. I'd like to be a mime but I talk too much for my own health. I'm probably experiencing early hearing loss from the self droning on. Who could handle this endless chatter? Not me. Now if I can just figure out how to shut off the voices in my head.

I've been making new friends again, and that's important. Chosing certain people, not just anyone. Sometimes I try to convince myself that I am a person who likes to stay home and be quiet. And I do. But I love people and mental gymnastics. Laughing til I spit out my drink or drool- now that's a successful day.

Happy Valentine's day weekend!

I took ME to Budapest and ME loved it.

ME was so well-behaved.

ME had a great time. So far.

Walking into town from my B&B. This side of the river is Buda.


Crossing the Liberty Bridge. You can see the Chain Bridge in the distance.

More liberty...

It was so dang cold, my eyes were pouring out tears from the wind.

These are not actors! They are real Hungarians. In full head-to-toe dead animals!

Great Market Hall from above- food and trinkets. Built around 1896. It's funny places like this in the States would be loud, but here it's peaceful, just a quiet din of Hungarian conversation and the occasional English or other.

A Langos, which the owner of my B&B told me to try with salt. It's really just deep fried bread, but not bad.

These cows are everywhere! Walking in Pest... down Vaci utca, which is a pedestrian boulevard.

More walking in Pest. It used to be two cities, you know: Buda and Pest. How funny.

Heating up at Gerbeaud's. The pastry shop/cafe has been thriving since WW1 or before.

The Museum of Fine Arts where I stood in line for an hour to get in, braving frostbite. Ok really I was reading my book with my mittens on. Death was not near. The museum contained an impressive collection of European art, though not much Hungarian. I think I still mostly have a thing for the French in the art department.

Walking away from Hero's Square, which was built also in 1896 to celebrate the city's 1000 birthday. Yes, ONE THOUSAND YEARS in 1896. Damn, America feels young.

Here is the actual Hero's Square Millennium Monument.

Last thing I passed on the way home: the opera house, where normally you can take in a cheap opera but this weekend is the opera ball. Guess I will have to come back.

Tomorrow is Castle Hill, the synagogue and the baths.