Budapest – The Journey Continues

Blog posts have been sparse the last weeks that I’ve been in Germany. There will be a post coming about my time in Nordrhein Westfalen, it’s under construction, as is one detailing my trip around Iceland, I promise! But those things require time, and for now, I just wanted to share some thoughts about my arrival in Budapest…
I am writing this a little after midnight. I want to do it now while it’s so fresh in my mind. I have been in Budapest for about four hours. Writing that now seems crazy, It feels like ages since I stepped off the plane this evening, and even longer since I woke up in Wegberg this morning.

My flight got in at Budapest’s Airport at around 7:30. It was a fairly empty flight (I had my own row!) and I had no trouble getting my pack and some of the local currency. From there I strolled on out of the arrivals section to find my ride to my hostel. My hostel offered an airport pick-up and so I decided to take advantage of it, seeing as wandering around in a foreign country with my pack at night didn’t seem like a great idea.

I looked around at the many drivers holding signs for pickup and finally found one holding a sign that said Carla Symmens. I assumed that was me, and before I knew it, I was whisked away into a big cab. I had a nice drive and I chatted with the driver about my travels and asked him for his best recommendations as to what foods I should eat.

Driving through the city at night was beautiful, and I got my first taste of the incredible architecture as we drove past the Academy of Applied Arts, illuminated on a busy street corner. We zoomed along a street lined with brightly lit bars and trees covered in twinkly lights before we pulled over. He showed me the way to my door, and then I made my way up to the hostel. It’s in a beautiful old building, and I could already feel the romance of Budapest setting in.

My hostel asked me to pay in euros rather than the local currency, which was a bit of a struggle because I had planned on paying with a card. I ended up being about 30 cents short, but the man running the hostel was kind enough to let me stay anyways. I found my room and dressed my bed. I relaxed and breathed for a moment. On my own again. What would come next?

First things first, I got myself a big glass of water and then sat down in the common area. I got talking with a group of Germans there who all thought I was from Vienna (not sure what that says about my German abilities) until I informed them that I was American. The conversation started as all of them do. People are impressed by my German skills, ask where I learned them, and then slowly they turn to US politics. This is usually when I stop really listening, say that I voted already for Clinton, and then just nod my head for a few minutes.

The gang was getting ready to head out on an adventure for the evening. I was dubious, and even more tired. But I knew that I should take advantage of having a group to go out with. In the end, they managed to convince me and I put my shoes and jacket back on and headed out with a mix of 6 travelers from Germany or Poland. Everyone was jovial as we searched for a good place to grab some food, and one of the Polish girls took us to an outside market, with a few stands. I had some magical sausage-cheese-sauce-filled bread thing which was incredible obviously. I had a bunch of fun chatting with the owner of the stand, and he taught me how to say “thank you” in Hungarian. I have already forgotten.

The search for alcohol then began. I am still recovering a bit from a late last night, so I waited outside with someone from the group while the others went into a convenience store. I was offered cocaine no less than 3 times by men standing on the street corner, and we politely refused each time, before finally deciding just to wait inside the store.

Once everyone had had enough cheap alcohol, it was time for us to find a bar. Budapest is famous for its ruin pubs, which are bars and clubs in stone ruins from the old city. We ended up going into one called Szimpla (which now that I have googled it, I realize is one of the most popular ones).

It’s hard to describe this place, but let me try to paint a picture:
I walked in through the big wide open doorway and “I like to move it, move it” was blasting over the loudspeakers as the music video was projected onto a large piece of canvas hanging from the ceiling. The walls were stone with a large variety of random artifacts and art pieces hanging from them. People were dancing, smoking, drinking, and laughing all together. This was my scene.

The speakers blared some great music, from Motown classics to Jay-Z and everything in between. I have never been to a club where I danced like I did tonight. It was awesome. There was even a rooftop bar to explore that I didn’t even get to. The place was huge, and I only spent time in one little spot.

But it turned late. I grew tired of everyone trying to get me to have a beer, and I also just grew plain tired. I said goodnight to my new friends and danced my way out of Szimpla and strolled back down the streets, making sure to avoid the corner where the coke dealers were still standing. I was almost back to my hostel when I had to stop. Right on the street next to me was a massive building with a sculpture of Franz Liszt over the door. It was incredible. I stood there for a few minutes taking it all in. Just four hours here and I am already in love

Content, I made my way back to the hostel and into my pajamas.