Checkin' Out the King's Crown

Today was the long awaited trip to Parliament. Although we have seen it shining every night in all its glory from across the Danube, we had never actually ventured inside. Maybe its because you need to be someone important and I have a feeling if I had just tried to mosey on in, some may have objected. Of course I still managed to beep each time I passed through security but eventually, got in! We had a really great lady give us a tour throughout Parliament and she taught us quite a bit. I was excited to finally be there because not only have we SEEN it from the outside but we hear about it in all our classes and we see it in videos and we all know Viktor Orban must be in there somewhere. 

Assembly Hall of the House of Magnates

I was fascinated to learn that once inside, both Parliament halls are symmetrical so one side is used for tours while the other is used for politics. We also got to sit in on some of the activity in the House of Representatives hall where the Ministers get big, comfy red velvet chairs. That part was interesting because we observed that no one in the room seemed to be paying attention to what anyone was saying. Some people were checking emails, others reading the paper and some even on their cell phones! Even the speaker of the house did not seem to be very deeply involved. Ildiko said they were discussing issues involving the media so maybe that's why everyone was so distracted- because the top was a light one but still, I found it very interesting that not many people seemed to be focused. 

The Holy Crown of Hungary! And the guard who doesn't move... or even breathe.....

We got to see the Holy Crown which was the part I was looking forward to the most. It was so cool to finally see it in real life after all the discussion we have heard about it. I was also excited to see the Greek inscriptions on the bottom part of it! Laszlo has taught us a lot about the Crown and how St. Stephen was the first King to receive the Crown and how the cross on top is supposed to be upright, not tipped over, but no one has fixed it. It was also great to see it because the crown is seen in paintings and pictures and on the coat of arms all throughout Budapest so seeing the real thing was great. We also got to see the guards take their "Rest" when they changed sides. That was real neat. I am amazed at how they can stand there so still and not even move one tiny bit. If you asked me to stand still for more than 10 seconds we'd have a big problem. Good for those guys. 

 

I thought it was very cool to see all the Kings and other political figures important to Hungarian history in statue form circling the top of the dome. That was pretty neat. Maria Theresa was the only woman featured in this display which was very interesting to see. I did not expect to see any women up there, but she was a very strong ruler from the Habsburg dominion so I was impressed she was up there. She was also in a painting in the Assembly Hall of the House of Magnates. 

Maria Theresa is in the middle 

This chandelier has 250 bulbs and if it needs service the electrician has to climb into the chandelier from the top of the dome. Two electricians can fit inside! Thing is huge! 

Overall, I was very happy with our visit and minus my giant coughing fit I think it was really a huge success! It was really helpful for me to finally see everything in person and tie it back to everything that we are learning from Laszlo and Agnes. The thing I found most cool about the whole visit was being inside of Hungarian's big government building knowing that now in this building lives a democratic assembly after this country has seen such terrors as Commuist rule and dictatorships.  It was also strange because I felt more like a tourist than a student who came to learn. This trip was a lot more observation and really taking everything in as opposed to sitting down and taking notes which was a nice change.

I am sad our field studies is winding down because I really love getting to explore all these places even if it means handing my passport over to some random lady to keep in a drawer.

Well, off to Ireland we go! HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND LOVERS!