Now I feel really bad about those nasty things I said about the Hop On, Hop Off people. They are my new best friends. Since there's 2 people working every corner with most people ignoring them, they are bored and will answer any question you ask. I've come to rely on them for directions. Today, the actors had a tour of the National Theater but I didn't want to try to meet up with them (especially since they were walking and it's very far) so I didn't go with them but I did go to the real Contemporary Art Museum right by that theater. I had to take Tram 2 which everyone on tripadvisor advises people to take because it runs along the Danube offering a beautiful view. But since I didn't know where to catch it, I asked a Hoppy person who told me Tram 2 is not as exciting as those tripadvisor people say. Most people riding it are going to work, not gazing at the Danube.
At any rate, I got to Millenium park which is beautiful--has a great view of the Buda Hills, the theater (see picture) and the Contemporary Art Museum. I thought I was looking at the museum but to make sure, I asked a young man who was wearing a "I heart USA" t-shirt with an American flag on it. Turns out, he didn't speak much English. But, he answered me because I kept saying "art, art" and pointed to the building.
The museum has decent reviews online--their small collection has the usual Warhol, Ono, Picasso--but it was the exhibits that made the trip worth the effort. One floor was devoted to an exhibit called The Naked Man (who wouldn't pay extra for that?). It was an examination of the role of men in art, cultural stereotypes of maleness, etc. Very tasteful and representing different time periods and artists.
The bottom floor was a photography collection called This Must Be the Place by Pieter Hugo. Never heard of him but when I researched him later, I found out he's getting really famous. He's from South Africa but photographs in different African countries. He does mostly large format photography. He's terrific and very young (born 1976)..
So all of that for $10. After I toured the museum, I ran right into Nicole & gang who had driven to the museum so I got a ride back. They got a tour of the theater including under the stage--it's a moving stage; state of the art technically. Very impressive. I don't even remember hearing about Millenium Park the last time I was here but it's on my recommendation list now.
And...a picture of the theater where Trapdoor performed last night. Very nice space. They had good attendance, especially considering the performance was added at the last minute and not advertised. Plus, they were competing with Mama Mia upstairs and Ghost: The Opera across the street.
We went to a buffet for lunch today. Lots of young people there--it's all you can eat for $5. They have Indian food, meat they'll cook for you, lots of Hungarian food...and a two hour time limit. Must be popular with all the students here. Since it's serve yourself, no one said "hello, Lady."
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