Sunday, February 27, 2011

Budapeshhtin'

This weekend I went on a trip to Budapest in Hungary. It was an amazing weekend & I really enjoyed the city! Not only that, but I had my first official hostel experience, which was an all-around positive one. My friend & I stayed at Carpe Noctem Vitae, not too shabby for only $7 a night!

At first I was a little skeptical sharing a room with 4 other strangers. But it turned out fine, we had different roommates each night, Canadian, Korean, Spanish & even some Texans.

The first day we wandered around the city. Budapest has a similar layout to Prague, it is divided by a river (the Danube) which separates the castle/old district side (Buda) from the cosmopolitan/city side (Pest). I would consider Budapest Prague's larger, grittier cousin.

Synagogue

The National Museum

Outside the Grand Market Hall

We stopped by the Grand Market. It had a bunch of veggie & fruit produce, meats & pastries, clothing & street food vendors. I got some fried bread, or langos and it was DELICIOUS. It looks kind of like a pizza, but it tastes way better. 


Langos

More delicious food, this one's even called a "Strawberry charlotte"

We went on a free walking tour, which was the best & most interesting tour that I think I've ever been on. Our tour guide was really cool & had more unconventional things to say. However, it was absolutely freezing outside and started blizzarding midway.



St. Stephen's Cathedral

Hanging out with a fat Hungarian man (too much Langos)

Ugly communist-era building

Buda castle

Parliament building

Yes, this is a DOG, its a Hungarian breed called Puli

One of the things everyone must do in Budapest is go to the baths. There are naturally heated hot bathhouses throughout Budapest. We went to the Szechenyi Baths which were located in the city park. It was amazingly relaxing & there were people of all ages and from so many different countries.

The entrance to the park

The bath house

The main outdoor bath!

Now I'm back in Prague & ready to start my 2nd week of classes. I love traveling, but I am so glad to be living in Prague & it feels good to be back at my apartment.

<3 Charlotte


1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the small preview!

    I just googled "Carpe Noctem Vitae" and stumbled upon your page, I'm glad it seems to be like looks like a good place to stay at.

    Also, I might read about Praha later since I will be attempting to go there in June after crossing Europe from the top of Norway to Czech Republic hehe.

    Cheers,
    Vil

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