For centuries, the Danube River was the chief and only highway of a large portion of Europe. Flowing through the Hungarian cities of Buda and Pest, each on opposite banks, in 1932, the river was still quite prominent in the area's trade. J. R. Hildebrand described the importance of the river as "the commercial focus of the vast plain that pours its grain and wines, its cattle and wool, into warehouses and factories to be shipped or fabricated for the Danube trade, Budapest, Twin City of the Danube, National Geographic Magazine, June, 1932, p. 731.
In addition, "in its busiest years Budapest has ranked second only to Minneapolis as the premier milling city of the world" (p. 731).
Budapest is a city of sidewalk cafes, "proportionately more prevalent . . . than in Paris." The author counted "47 thermal springs in use" as medicinal baths (p. 732). They claimed a climate similar to the American state of California, with "bathing (swimming out-of-doors) . . . the universal sport" (photo caption, p. 734).
With a past history of government by kings, Hungarians have a unique perspective. "Through the ages the kings of Hungary have worn as a revered emblem the crown of St. Stephen (the first Christian king of Hungary) . . . our king (formerly) swears allegiance to his people and not the people to the king" (photo caption, p. 735).
The Hungarian language is singular. "Few aliens learn a tongue which has no kindred roots or relation with any other European tongue. Fortunately, English is widely spoken" (p. 741). The land was settled a thousand years ago by Magyars from the Ural Mountains in Russia and "they still remain the dominant race" (photo caption, p. 728).
Hungarians appreciate classic architecture and monuments as is evidence in the text and photos of this article. It is an ambition of mine to cruise the Danube River and pass through Buda and Pest, Hungary.
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