We've had an amazing time in Budapest. The sights abound as do the views. The older part of town still has that classic feel speckled with a modern flavor. The city is split into the Buda and Pest sides by the Duna river or Danube as it's called in the west and there are multiple bridges to cross. The Pest side has the most bars and livable area(i.e. groceries, corner stores and pubs) while the Buda has the best views (from Gellert Hill where the Liberty Statue stands)and the best sights(Matthias Church and Buda Castle), as well as two of the better clubs.
After being in the Czech Republic the beer wasn't going to compare but the locals made up for it in spades. The language is lovely drawing it's roots from all around the region, including Turkey. They, the locals, are very friendly, once you engage them. Otherwise you get almost the same mean-mug you'll get in Prague.
GA met some awesome folks while we were here to include some Budapest locals. There were some nice girls who were in medical school we met at Romkert, some British fellows Nick and Jason who we're looking forward to hanging out with in the U.K. and our new pals Derrick and Vincent from Groningen who challenged us to a drink and smoke off. Apparently(if I remember correctly) Neil will have to out-drink their town drinking champ and J.D. will have to do the same for their smoking champ. Doesn't sound like anybody will be losing, just getting awesome. I think that G should take on their town-hot-sauce-eater-guy-champ.
The hostels have been mostly ok, but they've all had kitchens. So we've been cooking up a storm. Lot's of fun and so far (knock on wood) no misses. Constantly cooking in someone else's kitchen has taken getting used to but there are generally the same staples in every place (lot's and lot's of paprika over here). We discovered a new hot sauce for G that he L-U-V-S. Salsa chipotle something. Always garlic. Neil digs that.
The sights in the city are largely reconstructions of previous monuments done because they were destroyed during the wars or during the communist occupation. It would be very sad but the re-do's are expertly wrought. Hero square is especially well done. Gellert Hill is gorgeous. It's lined with history and lush greenery and has a fantastic, if steep walk to the top where the Liberty Statue and citadel stand. We ran up it. In the dark. It was of course, awesome.
The city definitely has a charm all it's own. And I guess MC Hammer-pants are en vogue around here. It's been a pleasure Budapest. Now, Romania! J.D. gets to go to a place he hasn't been before and we all get to see Bucharest. Til then, we have a 16 and a half hour train ride. But it's ok, we went with the sleeper car on the train. Smooches from Eastern Europe.
Stay Awesome
Viewing the Duna from Margrit island
J.D. and our new friend Vincent from Groningen
zoom in. feel the fury. and these rocks
We got all this catapult ammo, anybody have a catapult?
Mf'ers were dusty
Enjoying the view from in the castle wall
Got your Mexico. In a can
This'n?
Those'ns?
That'rn?
or thisr'n?
The Liberty Statue. Glorious
Next to the Liberty statue. Caught J.D. unawares
What's she doing now G?
J.D. won
Neil did not
The sheer awesomeness of this could not be denied
Yanni will be playing in concert the 16th of September if anyone was wondering. Or if you were (like I was) curious as to whether he was alive or not, he is apparently alive. And #1
That's a whopper of a fish ya got there kid
Dusk on the Duna. From the Pest side
The Hungarians have a real knack for capturing the heroes of their past in epic form
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| YO DAWG! I heard you like to take pictures so we took a picture of you taking a picture so you can take a picture WHILE you're taking a picture |
G taking in the brilliant view from next to the Liberty Statue. And recovering from our run in the dark up the hill to get there.
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