Thailand in the eyes of a 20-something..: Day 8

-Rain. At first it wasn't too heavy, but the wind didn't help. Kaitlyn had recommended the Alexandra bookstore/cafe, and since the Holocaust Museum didn't open until 9 I thought I'd go to the cafe first, get some coffee, read, and escape the rain. However, since I didn't follow her directions and took the metro instead of the bus, I spent an hour wandering around in the rain, only to find it still closed until 10. Seeing no other option, I trudged back to the metro to make my way to the museum. Got to the museum at about 9:20, and, surprise surprise, it doesn't open til 10 either. Cold, wet, frustrated, and in desperate need of coffee, I searched the surrounding blocks and finally found a cafe that was open. It was called Gomb Kávézó, which no doubt means "Button Coffeeshop" since that was the theme of the decor, and I had a delicious cappuccino and cheese croissant for 600 forint (3 euros).

-The Holocaust Museum was..well, depressing. As it should be, and as I expected it to be, but it's one thing to hear/read about it in History class, and another thing entirely to see pictures, videos, and first-hand accounts of the hell the few survivors lived through. I think the hardest part to swallow is that such blatant disregard for human life happened a mere 70 years ago.

Outside the Holocaust Museum

The synagogue at the end of the Holocaust Museum (and the only place pictures are allowed)

Glass "chairs" - a memorial for many of the victims of the Holocaust

The saddest ones to see, of course, were those of children murdered in Auschwitz

I couldn't read the little card thing, but I assume this to be a small tribute to the joy and relief of the end of the Holocaust

-It was lightly snowing when I exited the museum, so I hurried back to the metro to return to the bookstore. I had somehow lost my map in the rain, but although I can't say I've appreciated every "gift" I've received from Him, I thank God every day (and twice a day when I travel) for giving me an excellent sense of direction (and a great photographic memory); found my way back with no trouble this time, and bought a new map as soon as I entered. The cafe is on the third floor, and it has a beautiful grand ceiling like you'd expect to find in a ballroom or something.

Inside and ceiling of the cafe

-Indulged in two cappuccinos before determining that if I hurried I could visit one more monument before meeting up with Kaitlyn. When I got outside it was snowing full force, but I wasn't going to let that deter me, so I caught bus 105 and got off at Hősök...only the bus stop for Hősök isn't in the same place as the metro stop for Hősök, so I was once again consulting my map trying to figure out the best way to where I did want to go; turns out the answer was just to get back on 105, but in the opposite direction, and get off in 2 stops. Easy peasy.