Ahoj, friends!
I went to Hungary this weekend and it was one of the most amusing experiences of my life so, I'm just going to dive right in.
This weekend was a free one and the majority of us Nebraskis had the same idea; to travel to Budapest, Hungary.
(Now, let me just stop and say, I can't be the only one who hadn't really heard much of Budapest before coming to Europe until the song "Budapest" by George Ezra became a hit on the radio last summer. Am I the only one? Okay, probably.)
Anyway, moving on - Budapest, Hungary. I always come to the conclusion that google images has the most accurate display of what a place is going to be like. This week I realized that my logic is actually logical only 50% of the time. I experienced the google images and along with the exact opposite during the first 24 hours of arriving. But, it is, without a doubt,a weekend I will never forget. Or regret.
DAY 1: The Culture Shock - Changing the pest to the best.
The start of the weekend always begins by just getting there. Us Americans have become experts at getting to the right platforms and boarding the trains on time. Realistically speaking, half of us have actually become experts at getting to the platforms and boarding the trains on time, the second half have become experts at following the first half. My first train ride was the best day of my life. Just kidding, but I had fun. Now, I feel we have become accustomed to taking the trams and riding on the trains. It's bitter sweet. Bitter - because I wish I was as thrilled to sit on a train for hours as I was last week. Sweet - because I feel like I know the drill. And it always feels cooler to know the drill. Looking like a lost tourist at all hours of the day can really bum a girl out!
Upon arrival, I could feel the culture shock already. Everyone of us had gazed out of the window for minutes almost gasping at honestly the most graffiti I have ever seen in one place. Now, if you have ever been to Europe, you can say that huge, clean, breathtaking cities with extravagant buildings have a fair amount of graffiti. However, Budapest is the most painted town, I personally have ever seen. (yet). This is a culture shock, why? Because you rely google images and post cards on Pinterest to explain the depth of a very large European city.
As it was a free weekend, us Americans had split up into smaller groups to finally rush to our hostels. "Aubz, why were you rushed?", you may ask. Well all I can say is - We were super Hungary. ha. .... haha.
After our long walk to our hostel carrying our heavy luggage, our first impression of Budapest was not exactly the most positive of first-impressions. It was inevitable, as we had our first adventure in Europe had been to Prague and Dresden before this - staying in touristy locations. Not to mention, we were hangry Americans lugging our luggage around for what seemed to be a solid 30 minutes. This was one of those moments where we felt like nothing more than a group of lost tourists (in the slums of Budapest).
FINALLY we made it to our hostel. We knew we were in for a treat as we didn't research the reviews of the place we were staying until hours before arrival (typical), so 13 of us lost puppies sauntered into our graffiti'd living quarters for the next 3 days. Let me just give you a mental picture of what this party hostel had in store:
A very large outdoor patio surrounded by graffti'd doors, balconies, hammocks, you name it.
A bar for a reception desk.
A plethora of chairs and tables within leafless trees.
... and don't you fret - the trees weren't empty and sad! No...not in a party hostel!? They were obviously accompanied by hundreds of old tennis shoes and certain items of clothing I will not mention.
There was loud music playing.
And were were greeted by the managers of the hostel (there were probably 10). These people were Australian and all came out at different times- all Russel Brand look-a-likes in tight metallic leggings, barefeet, long hair, black painted nails, no shirts and open jackets on, etc. As we sat there in shock of what was about to happen. We were all scared for our lives, to say the least. This was not a place for everyone - which is why not all 13 of us stayed. But those of us who did, til this day, do not regret it for even a second. (As surprising as it may seem)
The outside of our hostel feat. the home-girl Jessiekreck
This was just a small portion of what the entrance is. Scary at first, so worth it in the end.
As we checked in and got out keys, we were escorted up to our room - which Lily, Hannah and I would share with 7 other strangers. As if it could get any more sketchy? I know, but this is how that hostel life works. And it could not have been any more perfect as we walked into a room of 3 AMERICAN college guys who were studying abroad in Vienna. Us girls could not have been more overjoyed to being sharing and experiencing this crazy hostel with none other than peers from the same country in who were Europe doing the same thing. It was a major relief, to say the least. This night could only go up.
With our optimistic outlook, Lily, Hannah and I prepared for the pub crawl our hostel was hosting that Friday night. A party hostel hosting a party every night? HOW CRAZY. We took off with the large group of people staying in the Grandio Party Hostel as well and got the chance to meet many students in study abroad exchange programs and originally from several countries that night, as we all marched to the pubs together. By the end of this party, us girls were so ecstatic we decided to make the best of things. Plus, the first pub sold chips and guac....how does one complain after meeting cool peeps and devouring chips and guac?
One doesn't.
DAY 2: I'm so Fancy!
Us 3 girls (or shall I say 3 amigos) woke up (not saying what time), got dressed and got some brunch at a little cafe before starting our day. We had a map and some recommendations from a hostel worker of where we should go and what we should see. Luckily, the girls and I were on the same page. We wanted to wander. - which is exactly what we did.
We vaguely followed the map we were given and eventually came across the breathtaking views of Budapest. This is what I had been waiting for. Our day consisted of sitting by the river with the lovely view of white boats and sublime castles, doing nothing but taking it all in - soaking up the sun and having good conversation for hours. We topped the afternoon off with getting ice cream cones and dressing up in H&M.
Pictures taken by the one and the only, Kassidy McConville. Nothing but smiles.
As we got back to our hostel we made plans to dress up, get dinner, and do a wine tasting on a boat! Sounds classy, huh? I can say, with no hesitation, that this Saturday night in Budapest was the classiest night of my life. I actually felt super posh.
We spruced up and wandered around town to get some food in our bellies. This wine tasting included 7 glasses of wine and we weren't about to arrive with empty stomachs. We frolicked around town and stumbled into a traditional Hungarian restaurant with good wine and a mini violin orchestra. We had to laugh because we aren't at all as fancy as we were living. But again, a night with good people and good conversation.
My dried tomato risotto with a glass of Pinot to start the night off right. So chic. Lol.
Wine tasting time! We made our appearance on the boat and it had exceeded my expectations. This boat reminded me of the Parent Trap. (Anyone who has experienced an at least semi-normal childhood knows what I am talking about.) But for those of you who don't...
The Parent Trap. Them, their wine and and a snazzy boat. Stay tuned for the much better view I got to see :-)....
Me loving wine in Budapest.
Me loving wine in Budapest with these rad people.
DAY 3: Baths, Baths, and More Baths.
We woke up from a long night of LOVING LIFE to make our way to take some baths. Sounds, quite frankly, a little weird - but it was recommended by several people so we thought "What the heck?"
We got in our bathing suits and cover ups, got our towels and walked for 40 minutes to the baths. It was so nice out, we looked like we were going to the beach but we were ready to relax. I don't have any pictures of this day because we locked our phones in the lockers but this place was so relaxing. There was a beautiful building filled with 18+ mineral baths along with saunas and a Vick's vapor rub steam room (which was so refreshing). Our side there was a lap pool and two more very large pools, heated at different temperatures - one being a little warmer than lukewarm and the other being that of a gigantic outdoor hot tub. We chose to sit outside as it was bright and sunny We enjoyed and kicked back the rest of our day there before having to leave for Olomouc bright and early the next morning.
After the baths, it was a night for some pasta. We didn't eat anything all morning or afternoon and we all love pasta. We all needed pasta, really. We found a cute little place called Pasta Bella and had some of the best pasta we have had in Europe thus far. An Europe has some BOMB pasta. How many times can I say pasta in a paragraph?
~We then ended the beautiful Sunday night with ice cream cones from around the corner in front of the view we had the night before~ What an ideal way to finish an ideal trip to Budapest.
Mama's Pasta was the name. It was shells and garlic, butter and cream sauces with basil and Parmesan cheese. Last one to get her plate, first one to finish sounds about right.
My conclusion of the weekend - I love to wander around the cities of Europe with no care in the world. The people that ran the hostel turned out to be some of the coolest people I have ever met in my life - the real free-spirits of this planet. Our experience living in this party place made for the some of most hilarious memories I have experienced thus far. I love to be able to live like and meet locals and make my unique mark on the world - it is what my dream has been and the reason I chose to come to Europe. Getting to do that and experiencing the finer things and life as well is icing on the cake. All I can say is, I am so lucky to have this opportunity! ~
I can't wait for next week to share with you my next adventure!
Cau!
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