When I found out what this week's PhotoHunt theme would be I knew immediately what photo I would post.
You can't get much more colorful than this precise lineup of painted wooden nesting dolls from one of the upper level stalls in the Central Market Hall in Budapest.
Central Market Hall, opened in 1896, is a spectacular building designed by Hungarian architect Samu Pecz. It has the architectural feel of that time period when there was a love affair with exposed steel. It reminds you of the Eiffel Tower or the Santa Justa Elevator in Lisbon. That shouldn't surprise, since Pecz and Eiffel were contemporaries and probably studied each other's work. Plus the architect of the Santa Justa was a protege of Eiffel's.
It is a huge, airy, and beautiful place. Though we were there in the mid-afternoon and most of the shoppers had come and gone, every food stall was still well stocked and spotlessly clean.
The 100 plus food stalls are on the ground floor level, were selling everything edible you can imagine. Sausage stalls, meats, fish, spices, veggies & fruit. And, of course, there were dried peppers everywhere.
The upper level, a sort of gallery overlooking the ground floor, had less than half the number of stalls because it didn't extend into the center. They were mostly mostly traditional needlework, crafts, and tourist trinkets. This is where I got the shot of the nesting dolls. There were also several large restaurants on the upper level.
If you plan to visit Budapest, do not fail to save part of a day for Central Market Hall. The only thing I would do differently would be to arrive early in the morning to experience the hustle and bustle of the local shoppers. As it was, we were pretty much all tourists.
Comments (14)
The nesting dolls certainly are colorful and beautiful folkart.
The facade of the central market also looks awesome.
I really enjoyed this post.
Deborah responds: Thanks Eden. I keep thinking it is time to move on to stuff about Montenegro, but I can't seem to pull myself out of Budapest.
Posted by Eden | August 15, 2008 11:32 PM
Posted on August 15, 2008 23:32
These pics represent an amazing riot of colour! That first one, in particular, verges on the wild! Fantastic!
Posted by Gemma | August 16, 2008 3:38 AM
Posted on August 16, 2008 03:38
I would dearly love to have one of those colorful nesting dolls!!!
My colorful is posted...stop by if you can find time.
Happy Hunting!
Posted by Hootin' Anni | August 16, 2008 5:54 AM
Posted on August 16, 2008 05:54
lovely!! i have one of those nesting dolls as well but this one is from russia n they are just so beautiful n colorful! i didnt think of it until i saw ur post. lol :P
Posted by mistyeiz | August 16, 2008 6:25 AM
Posted on August 16, 2008 06:25
Wonderful! Please don't leave Budapest yet!
I've got a folk art theme going for pHotohunt this week too. Have a good weekend!
Posted by Annie | August 16, 2008 6:41 AM
Posted on August 16, 2008 06:41
The colors are so fantastic I almost get dizzy looking at them...wonderful shot
Posted by Lucy | August 16, 2008 7:54 AM
Posted on August 16, 2008 07:54
I really like your photos. And I really love your blog! Right up my alley.
I also did Photo Hunt. Come share your link! :) http://newyorktraveler.net/photo-hunters-colorful/
Posted by Mrs. Mecomber | August 16, 2008 10:35 AM
Posted on August 16, 2008 10:35
Gorgeous nesting dolls! They seem to be choreographed to do something.
Interesting market with a beautiful façade.
I’m enjoying so much reading about your recent trip. Looking forward to the next entry…
Posted by María I. | August 16, 2008 11:23 AM
Posted on August 16, 2008 11:23
Deborah responds:
Thanks guys. I'm trying to choose photos from recent trips as my weekly PhotoHunt entries. Make those pics do double duty, you know?
But, next week may be a challenge - Wrinkled.
Posted by Deborah | August 16, 2008 12:19 PM
Posted on August 16, 2008 12:19
The dolls are great. I get dizzy looking at them.
Posted by Marta | August 16, 2008 3:48 PM
Posted on August 16, 2008 15:48
Budapest is on my list of places I would like to visit. Thanks for the glimpse!
Posted by Gypsy at Heart | August 16, 2008 10:06 PM
Posted on August 16, 2008 22:06
Great choice for "colorful". The market looks like it is a lot of fun. I know just what you mean about not being able to pull yourself away from one place. Although I have so much to share from my trip, I have not been able to pull myself away from the Ligurian Coast yet.
Posted by girasoli | August 17, 2008 12:37 AM
Posted on August 17, 2008 00:37
Deborah, excellent shots, and yet another entry that makes me want to visit Budapest. For wrinkled, I'm going to see if I have any shots of us, after we've traveled; figure I must look pretty wrinkled there.
Deborah responds: Kim, LOL. No kidding! I've reviewed our photos from the trip and did find an excellent 'wrinkled' shot.
Posted by Kim | August 17, 2008 7:31 AM
Posted on August 17, 2008 07:31
Hi Deborah, that's an awesome theme photo! The colors are amazing and the dolls are lined up so perfectly.
I also enjoyed your photos and description of the Central Market Hall. I would really love to visit Budapest one day soon.
Thanks for this great read this morning. Have a great day!
Deborah responds: Thanks for the kind words, Kathy. Yes, Budapest should be on everyones list as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | August 17, 2008 8:15 AM
Posted on August 17, 2008 08:15