-----Original Message-----

From: Dan Burke

Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2004 6:51 AM

To: Dan Burke

Subject: Budapest is best?

I wouldn't say that's true. I'm here, now, in

Budapest, and it's just like any other city. Big.

Dirty. Grey. There are some cool places to go, and

historical monuments worth seeing, so I'm doing that

now.

The most overwhelming part of this Eastern Europe (or

Warsaw Pact nations) experience that I'm having is the

history of the Nazi and Communist occupation of these

countries.

Hungary has a very sorted history with both. I just

left the TERROR museum and needless to say I'm feeling

a little deflated. So many people dead. And most died

so brutally. The best death was hopefully a short ride

on a packed train in freezing weather with no food,

space, water or place to go to the bathroom -- then

get gassed upon arrival at a concentration camp. Yeah,

that was the easy way to go. From there, the path gets

really nasty, graphic, horrifying -- and totally

unbelievable. A shame that so many people had to go

through these things. Bad enough if only one had.

So I'm hoping that this part of the journey lets up

for a while. This is a bit heavy for vacation. But,

actually, I'm glad I've been able to truly experience

the horror of those times. It has made me much more

appreciative of all the things and luck and blessings

we all have in the States today. Hopefully Bush Jr.

will keep it that way until we can vote him out (Sorry

Bush fans).

In a few days I begin my decent into Slovenia, then

Croatia for some beach folly. Then, off to Italy.

Today I'm feeling like ditching my current plans for

an all out assault on Italy. I may do that. It just

sounds warmer and lighter. We'll see.

Hope all is well where ever you are at. Please take

care of yourselves and treat each other kindly.

Until the next installment.

DB

Let go, live in the moment, with loving intention.