Buda + Pest = Amazing!

Now that my parents have pestered me about, oh 100 times to post a blog about Budapest, I finally have found the motivation to do so. Interestingly, the time I find the motivation is when I actually have a lot of work to do. Basically the choice is to write my Policy Analysis about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Pennsylvania, or blog about Budapest. Blogging won. (p.s. I was reluctant to blog about Budapest, because I am not really a big fan of blogging--not because I didn't like Budapest...I <3'ed>

My dear Fulbright twinnie Halley had the brilliant idea of travelling somewhere in Europe for her birthday which was on the 29th of January. We gathered a group together and decided to travel to Budapest--Halley, Matt, Erin, and me, Team Budapest. I first went to Berlin, however, to help Halley celebrate her birthday with a bunch of other Fulbright friends. Halley made some delicious tacos and we shared in a lecker chocolate cake and then spent some time out in Berlin. I really didn't get to see much of the city, but I will be back again soon!

Early Friday morning we left for the airport to catch our early flight. It was delayed. Go figure...that is what happens when I fly :) Despite that small setback, we arrived in Budapest ready to explore the capital of Hungary. Our first stop, however, was to get a stash of Hungarian Forints from the ATM. The exchange rate was about 1 Euro to 280 Forints so we each took out 10,000Ft from the ATM...crazy! We got on the bus and then caught the metro into the city. Just a quick word about this metro stop: half of the building was gone, it was all falling apart, and painted oranges and reds. This was the image I had of eastern Europe...or the 1970s, I'm not sure. Anyway, we got into the city, were accosted by giant walking coffee mugs who gave us free coffee coupons, and then made our way to our hostel, which was a little creepy from the outside. After settling in, Halley and I decided to explore the city a bit before our companions, Matt and Erin arrived. We walked and walked and walked some more, it was pretty obvioius from the start that Budapest is a gorgeous city. After killing our feet, we stopped at a cute cafe to get something to eat. The obvious choice? Goulash. It was sooo yummy! While eating we planned out the rest of the day a little bit and then headed out again.

The game plan was to go to the National Museum to check out some Hungarian history and then to head back to the hostel to meet our friends. We knew we were cutting the museum a little short, but for 400Ft it was worth it to pop in quickly. However, when we approached the desk and asked for a ticket, the counter lady looked at us warily and informed us that the museum was only open for another 30 minutes. "Do you think you can do the museum in 30 minutes?" she taunted. Clearly, what she really wanted to say was, "Hey arrogant Americans, you can't learn about the ENTIRE history of Hungary in 30 minutes. Go away and come back tomorrow." Rightly shamed, we left the museum and headed to, where else...the shopping street! After finding me a new purse and then getting some coffee, Halley and I headed back to the hostel to meet up with Erin and Matt.

Our foursome complete, we headed out to the restaurant that the hostel worker recommended: Menza. Now, a Mensa in Germany is a subsidized cafeteria on every university campus. Basically you get some sort of mystery meat, some strange vegetables, and A LOT of sauce. We were a bit concerned. However, the restaurant was really trendy and we all had some excellent Hungarian food: I had venison and potato donuts..yumm :) Exhausted, we headed back to the hostel for the night.

We had a lot planned for our second day in Budapest. Instead of boring you with all the deets, I'll just post some pictures!

St. Stephen's Basilica: Really pretty church that was completed, I think, around 1905. Like many other things in Europe, it was damaged in WWII, but is now restored. Inside the church is the mummified right hand of St. Stephen, which lights up when you drop 100Ft into the box. Unfortunately, it was being used in a private ceremony so we did not get to see this wonder.

Me inside Parliament. My guide book says, "The palatial Gothic Parliament stands 96m tall, a number that symbolizes the date of Hungary's millennial anniversary. The building was modeled after the UK's, right down to the facade and the riverside location." Interesting :) We took a tour of Parliament and it was very interesting...and fancy!

Me, Erin, and Halley crossing over the Danube from Buda to Pest.

Inside the Matthias Church which was converted into a mosque in 1541, and then renovated again 145 years later when the Hapsburgs defeated the Turks. The outside was gorgeous with a very colorful roof.

The Buda Castle--now houses museums. While in the Castle District, we went on a tour of the Castle Labyrinths, which Let's Go Europe gave a thumbs up to. Note: If you are ever in Budapest, do NOT go to the Castle Labyrinth. It was just a ridiculous tourist trap, and sadly we fell for it. Although, with the ending pitch-black Labyrinth of Courage section, it almost got to be so ridiculous it was worth it. Also while in the Castle District, we saw the Prime Minister going on a stroll with his wife :)

In the Labyrinth of Courage...Halley trying to find the sun.

Pest side of the Danube...that is the Parliament.Looking over to Pest from the Castle District.

After touring around all day, we decided to hit up one of the famous Budapest thermal baths to soak away our aches, pains, and rheumatism. We went to the Szechenyi bath located on the outskirts of the city, not really knowing what to expect. When we arrived, we got in line and ordered tickets for the night. We had rememberd to pack swimsuits, but none of us had towels or shower shoes (I take that back, the always prepared Matt had one of those small swimming towels...smart kid). So we went to change and then we had to walk through two hallways and a stairase barefoot...through water, and grime, and worst of all, hair. Ew. But, once we got into the outdoors baths, it was worth it. Pretty much a giant hot tub, the baths were really nice to sit in. There were three outdoor ones, all different temperatures. One had a giant whirlpool that was actually a little dangerous if you weren't paying attention. We sweated it out in the sauna and then tried the indoor pools which varied in heat from frickin' cold to rather hot. It was a pretty cool experience.

We spent our last night in Hungary at a local bar where we tried the national drink--Palinka with a Budweiser to chase it down :) The next day, Erin and Matt left early so Halley and I slept in. We checked out of the hostel and, ashamedly, went to the nearest McDonalds to spend our last Forints on the Forint menu. All in all, Budapest was a fabulous trip!