2017-07-11
【Aiden in English】
Final day? No problem. The small cruise ship was never my style. Fine dining and conversing all night were too mature for my taste. I don't care much about excellent, out-of-the-park food or services. What I want a cruise line to excel at is their shore excursions, especially during significant ports. Such a port as the capital of Hungary, Budapest. Fun fact: Budapest was once two separate cities: Buda and Pest. The town boasts excellent architectural feats along its riverbanks, which are split by the Danube River. The Hungarian Parliament is the largest in Europe, sitting on the Pest side. These cities, once divided, grew so much that combining was the only option, resulting in becoming the capital in recent history. Not that I know much about Eastern European history. Once again, we embarked on a panoramic tour that featured the Gothic Matthias Church, situated in front of Fisher's Bastion. Much of the cathedral appeared normal from the exterior, albeit a beautiful scene with the diamond pattern roof tiles and gargoyles-laden spire in the 14th century. On the contrary, at first glance at the interior, one would think it would be a mosque. This was because of the Eastern style of the paintings and artwork on the walls. The colorful medieval paintings, stone carvings, and curvy-styled decor demonstrate Eastern intentions. One particular portrait along the main entrance showed King Matthias and his bearing of arms, a raven with a gold ring. By his side, two knights dressed in black armor symbolized the black army of Hungary. Formerly working for the Hungarian Habsburg King, the black military became mercenaries after his death and raided their own country. Fun fact: Vlad "the Impaler" Dracula was once the general of this army. To put it bluntly, I'm very grateful for this cathedral-style design. Ever since I began touring this Danube Castles and Legends trip, it's been stained glass, marble pillars, symmetry, and squares. This cathedral was not only decorated entirely differently from the rest of the Roman Catholic churches, but it was also perfectly symmetrical. If one were keen enough, they might notice the slightest shifts of the door and windows to the left. An outside view revealed nothing, yet the interior gave away the lack of technology during construction. Minor points, but all evidence of the spectacular was the difference between this cathedral and others. Today, however, marks the end of my European journey. The Danube River, our main objective, was complete, even though traveling only a small portion was disappointing. The silver lining: There is further opportunity in the future. This river flows through some of the most musical and historic areas in the world, and I'm glad Mom and I took the opportunity to experience this stretch of the river, enjoying great moments in music, history, and scenery. Granted, visiting Europe is becoming a familiar sight. To be honest with you, this continent deserves more attention, especially given its vibrant history. Asian cultures, despite their long history, are distinct from the interactions of early Western civilizations. North America, with an exciting three hundred years, has way too short a history. So, if there is a continent to explore continuously, I can't think of a better place than Europe. Final fun fact: I'm returning to Europe next month for another river cruise. With the Viking River Cruise again, Mom and I will discover the Rhine River. Spoilers: Mom believes the Rhine River is much better. I guess I'll have to see. 【紅霞譯】
到了最後一天？ 沒錯。說句心裡話，小型遊輪從來都不符合我的風格，正式點餐徹夜長聊並非適於我的胃口，其實本人毫無在意高大上的飲食與服務，關鍵在於遊輪能否提供優質岸上遊覽項目，特別是在停靠像匈牙利首都布達佩斯“森林之外”這樣的主要港口期間。
趣聞軼事之一，布達佩斯原為兩座獨立的城市：布達“水”與佩斯“洞穴”，多瑙河把它們分割開來，河岸兩側各自彰顯輝煌的建築成就。位於佩斯一側匈牙利議會大廈堪稱歐洲第一，兩城合併之前，雙方發展迅速，彼此結合已然大勢所趨，這樣布達佩斯才在近代史上成為一國之都，我對東歐歷史了解僅此而已。
我們再次選擇短時全城巡遊，重點參觀漁人堡前的哥特式馬蒂亞斯“神賜”教堂，儘管14世紀安裝的鑽石圖案瓦及滴水嘴尖頂養眼好看，但外表整體形象顯得非常普通相反地，乍看它的內部結構還以為是一座清真寺，畢竟牆上不乏東方繪畫風格和藝術作品，色彩斑斕的中世紀繪畫、石雕以及曲線式裝飾帶有東方元素。從主門入內，神賜國王畫像格外引人注目，盾徽與上面罩有金色光環的烏鴉，國王身邊有兩位身着漆黑盔甲的騎士，象徵着匈牙利黑軍，黑軍曾效力於鷹堡國王，在他死後搖身變成僱傭軍並轉而突襲自己的國家。趣聞軼事之二：統帥三世曾任這支部隊的將軍。
老實說，見到這種類型的大教堂我深感喜悅。自從“多瑙河城堡與傳說”之旅開始即日起，一路上看過不少彩色玻璃、大理石柱子、對稱結構和街心花園，這座大教堂不僅一反羅馬天主教建築常規，而且也不完全對稱。假如有人真喜歡內部布局，那麼他/她或許會注意到門窗有點偏左，從外面看不出有什麼名堂，可在裡面卻能發現當初修建時技術水平有限，附帶強調一下，正因其獨到之處才使得它與眾不同。
然而今天標誌着我歐洲之行全部結束，雖然整個旅途因涉足區域不大而有所惋惜，但我們終究實現了主要目標──多瑙河，凡事總尚存一線希望：將來有機會再來。多瑙河流經天底下一些最具音樂性最富歷史性的地區，很高興跟媽媽一起順流而下，共同體嘗音樂、歷史、美景所帶來的愉悅時刻。
誠然，只有到歐洲來才會對它的一切逐漸熟悉起來。直白地講這片土地一向充滿活力，值得引起更多關注；亞洲歷史雖然悠久，但各國傳統文化獨立，不像西方早期文明彼此相互關聯；北美洲三百年間日新月異，畢竟歷史太短。由此說來，如果想要不斷探索新大陸，我沒法推出哪個地方會比歐洲更加合適。 最後一則趣聞軼事：下個月我要重返歐洲另外一條航線，依舊是海盜河流遊輪，到時我和媽媽將去多瑙“激流”河採風。燒包族喲，媽媽堅信萊茵河更出彩，我還是要等到看後再做定論。
Today in History(歷史上的今天):
2017: Budapest, Pearl of the Danube HUN(匈牙利布達佩斯·多瑙河明珠) 2017: Budapest, Matthias Church HUN(匈牙利布達佩斯·馬蒂亞斯教堂)
2017: Budapest, Queen of the Danube HUN(匈牙利布達佩斯·多瑙河女王) 2017: Budapest, the Heart of Europe HUN(匈牙利布達佩斯·歐洲心腹之地)
2016: Belfast, Linenopolis NIR(北愛爾蘭貝爾法斯特·亞麻大都會)
2016: Gaelic Towns, Northern Ireland(北愛爾蘭蓋爾“胸針”村鎮)
2016: Glens of Antrim, Northern Ireland(北愛爾蘭安特里普“孤脊”峽谷) 2016: Antrim Coast Road A2, NIR(北愛爾蘭安特里普“孤脊”海岸A2公路) 2016: County Antrim, the Lone Ridge NIR(北愛爾蘭·孤獨的農場) 2016: Giant's Causeway of Northern Ireland(北愛爾蘭巨人堤道) 2014: YMCA Camp—Outdoor Pool-2(基督教青年會營戲水池之二)  Hungarian Parliament Bldg Completed in 1904, Featuring Gothic Revival Style
(匈牙利議會大廈·1904年竣工，哥特復興風格 07-11-2017)  Statue of Stephen I of Hungary & Fisherman's Bastion
(匈牙利國王《斯蒂芬“皇冠”一世》雕像與漁人堡 07-11-2017) 
Fisherman's Bastion in Neo-Romanesque (漁人堡·新羅馬式風格 07-11-2017) 
Fisherman's Bastion Built in 1895-1902 to Celebrate the 1000th Birthday of the Hungarian State (漁人堡·建於1895—1902年間，旨在慶祝匈牙利建國1,000周年 07-11-2017)  Fisherman's Bastion w/ 7 High-Pitched Stone Towers Symbolizing the 7 Chieftains of the Hungarians
(漁人堡·七座塔代表七個匈牙利首領部落 07-11-2017)  Fisherman's Bastion, a Neo-Romanesque Panoramic Lookout Terrace
(漁人堡·新羅馬式全景觀景台 07-11-2017)
Matthias Church w/ Vibrant, Multi-colored Zsolnay Ceramic Roof Tiles in Neo-Gothic Style (馬蒂亞斯“神賜”教堂·色彩鮮艷的佐爾奈“柳樹”陶瓷屋頂瓦片，新哥特式建築 07-11-2017)  Nave of Matthias Church, the Coronation Site for Hungarian Kings
(馬蒂亞斯教堂中殿·匈牙利國王加冕所在地 07-11-2017)  Interior of Matthias Church Viewed from Organ Loft
(從風琴樓廊近觀馬蒂亞斯教堂內景 07-11-2017)
Monument of Independence War (《獨立戰爭》紀念碑 07-11-2017)
 Millennium Monument @ Heroes' Square
(英雄廣場·《千年》紀念碑 07-11-2017)  Műcsarnok Kunsthalle, a Contemporary Art Museum
(布達佩斯藝術廳·當代美術館 07-11-2017)
 Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the Largest Medicinal Bath Complex in Europe
(塞切尼“貴族”溫泉浴場·歐洲最大的溫泉浴場綜合體 07-11-2017)  Indoor of Széchenyi Thermal Bath
(塞切尼溫泉浴場·室內 07-11-2017) Crosslinks(相關博文):
Hungary (出遊匈牙利) Europe(歐洲掠影) 8th Grade(初中三年級) |
