Monday 28 November 2011

Budapest (Part 2)

Round scarf: H&M
Minnie and Micky Mouse jumper: H&M
Destroyed denim shorts: River Island
 Alexa-inspired satchel: Random blogshop







When I posted a pic of these shoes in my preview post, many of you asked me what the shoes meant. Well, I'm glad you asked because though I've visited a lot of memorials through out my life, this one really struck a chord and I wanted to share this with you. It's a memorial in honour of the Jews who were shot into the River Danube. Yes, right there. 

The significance behind these iron-cast shoes is very sad. No lengthy history lesson can be as powerful as standing there, looking at the shoes. It sends out a strong emotional message to those who bother to stop and ponder for a while. It was chilling to know I was standing at the very spot such human cruelty occurred. Looking around, everything seemed so normal now. There was a freeway right next to the embankment and cars were zooming pass. On the river, tourist cruises often pass by chock-full of tourists with cameras at the ready.


What actually made me cry was when I spotted this pair of kiddy shoes. It was then that it hit me that it wasn't just men and women who died here, but young, innocent children. I'm not sure if it was the artist's intention, but the pair of kiddy shoes were between a pair of woman's and man's shoes. It felt like a family once stood here, at midnight, perhaps even holding hands, awaiting their cruel fate. It really upset me that even children were not spared this brutality. I walked away from this memorial reminded that what the world needs is more love and that we should all prevent history from repeating itself.



Did anyone else watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas? It's one of my favourite movies. If you've seen it, you'll know what the above "uniform" means.





I think Budapest is most beautiful at night. When we first landed, we caught an airport taxi to our hotel and on the way, I was just wow-ed by the gorgeous night scenery. I just kept turning to the boyf and expressed awe at the beauty we were seeing through the taxi's glass window.




We had a lovely time in Budapest. I would recommend anyone who wants a nice, relaxing holiday with  a bit of history to take home to visit this place. Food was ace and I really do miss the desserts and foie gras. Yum!

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23 comments:

  1. It rather surprised us, too. Most people are only interested in Paris, Rome and Barcelona (which I'm too, I'll admit that), but Europe has plenty of other places that are just so beautiful!

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  2. Haha Surabhi, I always mention everything I wear that has a brand attached to it. If I don't, you can safely assume that my memory has failed me and I can't remember where I bought it or it's just brandless (bought from random shops or at the market) :)

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  3. OMG I would have cried, because I'm tearing up right now reading the section on the shoes...Humanity has so much to be accountable for. Even the little shoes, the kids they shot and killed...so upsetting, even if it's a past event these kind of things still get to me today....



    Shasie of Live
    Life in Style

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  4. Wonderful pics! X

    mademoiselle-lala.com

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  5. you and the bf are adorable! such a cute couple!

    wow the shoes tell such a chilling tale.. i just went to nuremberg not too long ago.. and went to this place where hitler once gave his infamous televised speech.. it was pretty surreal. 

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  6. Nice pictures!! Yeah, I loved that movie too, so touching.

    A
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    http://fashion-olic.blogspot.com

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  7. lovely photos.  I really adore your minnie and mickey top.  so cute!

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  8. Great pictures!! Budapest looks like it would be such a lovely place to visit! The memorial with the shoes really evokes so much emotion. Violence is so cruel...especially when it comes to the innocent blood being spilt. 

    Love your outfits though. :] Mickey & Minnie! The food looks so yummy too. Glad you had a nice vacation!

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  9. Your photos are so beautiful. Looks like I need to visit there one day. Like everyone's mentioned before, I love that mickey top!

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  10. Again amazing pictures! making me wanna go back to Europe! sigh !LOL

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  11. the picture of the shoes remind me so much of what i studied in world religions about the Jews and how the suffered. Kinda sad to see the pair of kiddy shoes too. I really hope to visit Europe one day,I love the history of it as much as you do :D thanks for sharing the pictures!

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  12. thanks for sharing! i am not super into history but the stories & events of the holocaust never seize to amaze me. i still can't believe such sad & cruel events have occurred. i am definitely adding Budapest to my list of places to visit. had no idea it was so beautiful!

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  13. lovely photos, as always. the images are so moving and thanks joey for sharing a little history about budapest. 

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  14. Ah part two!
    This really looks nice! I have to visit that part of east-europe once :)

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  15. amazing photos.. i just wish i can visit that amazing place... glad i came across your blog!
    lets keep in touch!

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  16. Hey Joey! Wow, the story behind those shoes makes me so sad. The different things that have happened in history seem unimaginable or even thinkable. I don't know how mankind can do that to one another. It's truly sad. The 3 rd picture of the church is just like the one I attend here in New Orleans. It's called Mater Dolorosa. I had to do a double take when I saw your picture. Thanks for sharing these.
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  17. I <3 your boots.Please mention where your shoes are from too!

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  18. Your post seriously made me sad :(

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  19. omg the shoes story is so sad :(

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  20. the photo of the shoes and its meaning is very touching..

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  21. such a sad story about those shoes =( budapest seems like a very cultural place o.o .. pretty

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  22. cute scarf! i love it <3

    delicatelyfierce.blogspot.com

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Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to leave me a comment xx

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