Budapest

Trip Start May 06, 2011

Trip End May 22, 2011

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Where I stayed

Art Hostel Budapest

(Budapest hotels)

Flag of Hungary Budapest, Hungary
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Another day, another country! This time i find myself in Budapest, Hungary and after the day i have had today, all the good things i have heard about the place are completely justified. Let me quickly tell you about yesterday first though. I was mainly travelling but i almost got off to a bad start when the local train from Bled to Villache (the place i had to catch my reserved train to Vienna from) was delayed by 20 minutes. This was quite a big problem because the transfer time when i got to Villache was only 20 minutes! This would then have affected my onward travel for the rest of the day. I knew the platforms were right next to each other so as long as i got there even a minute or two before departure i should be ok. Thankfully the train managed to pick up some time and all was well. The journey was uneventful from then on really. The scenery was less dramatic as we moved out of the Alps and my transfer from Vienna was ok. I had to show my passport twice on the way into Budapest, they probably get quite a lot of immigration problems.

It was getting on a bit when i arrived and i had decided to walk the 2.5km to the hostel whilst it was still light. I was a bit nervous because i had visions of a seedy place with lots of beggars etc but i needn't have worried. There was definitely a more Eastern European feel to the place which took a few minutes to get used before i could calm down and enjoy the walk but that was all. I was immediately struck by the architecture. Nearly every building has a look that gives it a sense of grandeur and even though a lot are a bit run down, it only adds to the ambience. It took me a while to find the hostel. I was expecting some sort of sign to stick out at me but after walking up and down the street twice, i noticed a door with a tiny notice telling me the right place. To look at the door, you would think it was almost derelict! Inside was a small coutyard with flats surrounding it several stories high. It turns out a lot of the buildings are like this but you wouldn't think it to look at them, like the bars in Krakow i guess. The hostel is small and quiet and a different standard to the ones i have stayed in so far but still comfortable. I had time to go look for some food and watch the footie at a bar before calling it a night.

Today has been great but tough on my feet again. I slept in for a bit then just set off walking. I have enjoyed myself ever since! Wherever you walk you find something as grand as the last, even just the normal buildings not to mention the buildings of significance. The castle on the Buda side of the river probably takes centre stage and i spent a fair while walking around there. The only slight problem was that, whilst walking round i thought, i don't know anything about what i was seeing. When i was in Munich i did a walking tour and i wish i had done the same today considering i have walked everywhere anyway! It has been another hot day and i have tried not to let this stop me but this afternoon hasn't been as productive. I have taken it easy and spent time in the gardens writing my journal. I am going to go for some traditional Hungarian food this evening and then tomorrow go to the baths. If i have time i might jump on the free city bus to try and find out some of the hisory about the place. I leave for Brasov in Romania tomorrow on the overnight train so i will write when i get there.