MORNING RITURAL

Yes, morning! This shot was taken before sunrise before the thermal baths one morning. The above shot is the Gerbeaud Cafe. Warbucks is a early riser. Come to think of it, he's also a night owl. I bet he get four hours a sleep at night. So come morning he loves his coffee among other things!!! Most days he had already two coffees before I even cracked my eyelids. I had no idea that Budapest has quickly become the global burgeoning hot spot for great coffee and coffee shops. When Warbucks moved there, specialty and third wave coffee shops exploded he said in popularity but didn't displace the Hungarian capitals historic old coffee houses and grand cafes and dessert houses. Some of these places...I'd never seen anything like them...gold accented mirrors, crystal chandeliers, marble topped tables and curved wooden chairs...all offered a flavor of the old-world charm. Once a hub for Hungarian writers, artist and revolutionaries, these cafes have an impressive history to themselves. And I'll be honest, cards on the table....I had some of the best tasting coffee I've ever had outside of Costa Rica, who still has the best coffee.

Gerbeaud Cafe, by far had the most decadent desserts!!! This place got its start in 1858.

My cherry Bon-Bon infused with cognac. To . Die. For

Meanwhile at the New York Cafe...a Renaissance style coffee house is located in the New York Palace Hotel, built in 1894.The place eventually closed in the 1940's but was acquired by an Italian company, renovated the place and returned it to its former glory.

On this day it was afternoon tea followed by desserts. Warbucks thought he would be funny and have Happy Birthday written on my plate. But this plate got brought to our table by accident. It actually says Happy Anniversary. But then the joke ended up on us both as it occurred to us that we met at the Raven Resort, almost 8 years to the date that morning. How weird is that?

The Parisi Passage Cafe was established in the early 1900's of the Parisi Udvar Hotel. Durning the day it has the feeling of a teeming cafe and excellent breakfast place and come evening it offers a special but laid-back vibe with excellent dining, all characterized with soaring domed ceilings and luxurious design.

Isn't this a lovely breakfast? We stopped in for coffee in the afternoon but ended up ordering several desserts. Who the hell needs to fit in square cuts this summer? You'll notice I also have two waters. Sweets make me more thirsty.

Truth be told, some days we didn't go out in the morning. Several days we had no plans at all. I fell in love with Warbuck's flat. He is very much a minimalist...but his style against the aged building...I loved the contrast. And his rent made me sick. It would go for well over $2,000 a month here! He even had pockets doors to the bedroom.

See...he does have a coffee maker! Even though he had coffee brough in.

And yes...I think my ass is even bigger. I am also sure the airplane flew considerably lower the flight back. Though the guy at the security checkpoint seemed to be a bit fascinated with my cakes.