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We set out on our second free walking tour here in Budapest, this time with a tour focused on the city's communist past. It is interesting that while Hungary was under the control of the Soviets, the regime doesn't seem to be have been as rigid as it was in other communist countries. People in Hungary enjoyed privileges such as passports for travel, which included a red one for use within the bloc and a blue one for use in countries outside of the bloc. A rather unexpected theme popped up as well, both here and in Slovenia, which is a prevailing sense of nostalgia for the communist era. The main reason seems to be that people miss the sense of relative social equality that has faded since the emergence of a hierarchical class-based system. I think they might also miss the state picking up the bill for most everything.
To finish off our day, we headed over to a beautiful concert hall for a performance of works by Liszt and Bach. The acoustics were excellent and the massive organ was impressive to hear in full-force.
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Ry Must be a treat to hear this music!