Weekend Visit to Budapest Part 1

So this weekend our group took a trip down to Budapest, Hungary!

We had a blast!:) Though I'm super happy to be back in Vienna.

Let's just say, the U-Bahn here in Vienna

is like riding a golden elephant through paradise

 compared to riding the tram through Hungary.

Jk it wasn't bad there, I was just spoiled by Vienna.

Our first moments in Hungary were ones of delight, actually.

We were greeted by the most delicious smell of pastries wafting through the train station,

that I had ever encountered. 

I gained 10 pounds just smelling how much butter was in them!

We didn't have money at the time we got off the train so we didn't buy them,

which was really good cause we found out later that they cost more

than a ticket to the State Opera.

Ha!

And this didn't happen to me because a kind man stopped me in time

(though others in our group were not so lucky) 

but the exchange offices there in the train station

(and most outside ATM's)

cannot be trusted and will rip you off quite happily.

So watch yourself if you go.

It was so rainy there!

Soooooooo rainy.

Kelly and I had brought our umbrellas as an afterthought, and may I just say,

It was one of the greatest afterthoughts we've had.

After exiting the station

And being completely blown by the Hungarian signs on the underground

of which I understood 3%. 

(I would say 0% but I think I would understand Chinese even less)

We made the long trek down Budapest's backstreets through the heavy rain

*(Budapest is actually a combination of the two cities Buda and Pest, 

so luckily we were on the newer more organized part of Pest

that had had the streets reorganized
after extreme flooding pretty much destroyed the city)
to the Franz List Academy of music.

Anyway, so eventually we got there and who was there to greet us?

 BYUs Philharmonic Orchestra!!:)

Did I mention we had gone down there in the first place to hear their concert?

Oh ya, that's why we were there:)

And the best part?

My cousin William was there!! Violinist in the BYU Philharmonic

And he had just gotten engaged to his cute girlfriend/stand partner

earlier that week while they were in Venice,

isn't that just KEEEYOOOOT?? 

So Classy.

And we totally LOVE Maren!!!

She is the tiniest cutest sweetest little doll and we adore her.

Me and Kelly welcome Maren to the Family:) We are so excited for these guys!!

So then we dropped our stuff off at the Hostel,

and wandered around the city by ourselves until the concert at 7

Which was great because we quickly found ourselves

in the MOST. BEAUTIFUL. CATHEDRAL.

That I have ever seen.

And I have seen a LOT of Cathedrals.

Like tons and tons.

But this was the best. 

St Stephens Basilica!

Here are some pictures, and then I will tell you why it was my favorite.

That is a large statue of Christ at the front, standing noble and strong.

The organ High above us

Looking inside the dome--STUNNING

This Cathedral was by far my favorite,
and here are the reasons.

1. It was enormous, but well-lit. It was decorated, but tasteful (not every surface was covered with a cherub). It had paintings, but they were lovely and muted and not distracting. In other Cathedrals, I felt as if the art was just there because the Church wanted opulence and awe, and the art and architecture drew your mind to the wealth and power of the Church and it's dominance over it's people, rather than allowing you to focus on God. This Cathedral really drew my mind to God! (The architecture is fairly new according to European standards and is only several hundred years old instead of like, thousands, and was made in the Neo-classical style)
2. They had statues of saints in St Stephens, but they were not front and center and made of gold, or doing some strange scene or made entirely of gold. In other Cathedrals (ahem, St Peterskirche in Vienna) there was front and center a HUGE statue all in gold of the angels being cast out of heaven, with all of the devils making grotesque faces and all of the people were nude and there was no idea of Christ anywhere. All saints in St Stephens however were memorialized with a white statue in classical style in an alcove along the sides of the Church, where they stood looking GORGEOUS (I loved the statues) but seemingly in support of the main figure at the head of the room in front of everyone's eyes, which was Christ. 
3. The Christ statue at the front. I was able to feel the spirit very strong in this place, and I feel as if much of it came from their dedicated focus to a strong Christ. This statue, rather than being a weak, naked, tortured Christ wearing a crown of thorns on a cross as is quite customary, was standing tall and strong in full robes with a crown of glory and gesturing out to the congregation. The message I got was, that he was alive and well. And strong--this Christ had the power to help people! And he loved his children. This Christ had overcome death, not the other way around! And there was no sign of the Virgin Mary up front and center which I appreciated, since really, they just seemed to have it right in that respect, that Christ was the whole point of the Church, and everything should support him, and not try to compete for holiness, worship or attention.
4. Last and definitely least, I loved all that red marble. My goodness was it lovely. As I said before the decorations were tasteful and I had to stand in awe. You must see this Cathedral!

Side-note: 

The differences between a Cathedral, Basilica and a Chapel

are found in their size, layout and ranking importance in the city.

Cathedrals are generally the largest & most important--

technically there can only be one Cathedral per city,

since it is the best of the best.

They are also usually built in the shape of a cross,

with one very long section and two side chapels sitting across from each other.

A Basilica can be as large as a Cathedral,

however it is not as important or high ranking as the city's Cathedral.

It doesn't have to be in the shape of a cross, as St Stephens isn't.

A chapel is the smallest 

and there are many many of them located throughout cities,

and usually there will be one in every small town.

ANYWAY

Last item and then I promise I'm done,

cause it was the last event of the day!

We went and heard the BYU Philharmonic play.

And they were amazing, obviously!!

BYU Phil plays in Hungary

Kelly and I pose with the stars of the show William and Maren

Their entire concert was wonderful

But my two favorite songs were their encore pieces!

A Strauss waltz,

 (I unashamedly adore Strauss and literally sing the Danube waltz every single second in Vienna. Kelly is getting sick of it)

And an orchestral piece arranged specially for them of a Child's Prayer.

That was so so SO beautiful, and I just felt the spirit so strong,

I was crying by the end. I'm crying a little now thinking of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bse5TtEuaGk

Pray--he is there, speak he is listening,

you are his child,
his love now surrounds you!
He hears your prayers,
he loves the children, of such is the Kingdom of heaven.

If I got to say one thing for sure in this life,

it is that Jesus Christ really lives. I love him more than anything.

http://www.mormon.org/