So I sit here on my first train overseas in learning mode. What I mean by this is being positive about my complete confusion on how things work over here not to exclude language barrier obstacles. I’ve got to look back and laugh at trying to buy a bus ticket at the wrong place at the airport, my confusion on ticket and towel rentals at the Szechenyi baths, losing directions in a not so pleasant part of Budapest and asking for directions, falling for the “What train platform am I on?” in exchange for donation money not realizing how easy it is to actually find the train after hiring train staff. I don’t mind tipping, but my face was priceless after the man was rubbing his fingers for a tip. Hey, it’s Europe! Although these may come off as “mishaps”, they were all part of the experience. In addition, I honestly can’t deny that I expected this.
As for choosing Budapest as my first European city, it was perfect! It wasn’t Paris, Rome, London, yet it’s not Bishkek, Tashkent or Yerevan. In my eyes it lies right in between the familiarity of its reputation yet still off the beaten path and this is exactly what I wanted. The city is beautiful, even more so at night when all of it’s historical landmarks are proudly light up. While some may look in disgust at some of the deteriorating walls of buildings and graffiti, I am drawn to it as beauty. This alone gives Budapest a sense of personality. Like art work telling a story and giving you a first hand taste of it’s history. In reference to history, unfortunately Hungary’s past isn’t completely settling, from the shrinking of its far reaches and border, to bombings and Nazi occupation in WW2, to socialist times during the Cold War. Although times have changed since, you an still feel the vibes of the country 20, 30, and 50 years ago when times were, different. You can see it in the faces of people, especially the elderly as well as some of the buildings, as I mentioned before.
I can see why Budapest I called the “Queen of the Danube”. Because the city is divided in half by the river. It is wide enough for amazing panoramic views of each side. Despite the rough recent past, the city let alone country is well worth the visit, worth the attempt to learn an interesting language, taking a step back in time with Hungarian history, taking a stroll along its, bridges, street and into one of it’s apartment buildings to look straight up into the sky in its center. Take a walk in Margit Island to escape the hustle and bustle, grab a brew at a ruin bar, pick up a Hungarian pizza and Kürtőskalács on the street, and of course, complete the day with a relaxing dip in one of its many world famous thermal baths. 🙂
