first impressions...

i wasn't sure really what to expect of budapest. alot of people told me beforehand that it is what prague was ten years ago, which didn't seem fair to to me to be comparing the capital city of one country to that of another country. that would be like comparing the completely le courbusier-designed modern city of chandigarh to washington. the district, not the state. when we loaded into the minibus from the airport and started into the city center, my very first impression of budapest was that it looks like detroit. the motor city of eastern europe, only without the car plants. the drive from the airport was identical to leaving the detroit airport: rough roads, run-down buildings covered in graffiti, and every american fast food chain lining the route. and to think i chose this city to unwind in after riding a bike through spain....hopefully my second impression will be better. at least make it pittsburgh.