Budaful Budapest

I just got back from the weekend in Budapest (I actually wrote this Sunday on the bus, but I am just posting it today), and overall it was a great experience! We stayed at maverick city lodge, a hostel that was waaaay better than the one in Bratislava, and I thought that one was nice! 18 of us from the AIFS program came together to Budapest, plus a group of other Americans we know who stayed at a different hostel. Even though the group was so big, we managed to see a lot, have a lot of fun, and we all made it back alive! We took up 5 rooms in the hostel, with the exception of some random roommates here and there. Two of the rooms were randomly upgraded, with a flat screen, a loft, and the room to themselves. Not gonna lie, I was pretty jealous.

Alyssa and Natalie in their fancy upgraded hostel room.

After arriving Thursday night, we went out for Alyssa's birthday at the same bar I went to last year on the alternative spring break trip with Hillel. So many memories came rushing back, while making new memories at the same time with some great new friends. Friday we went to the central market, which was just like I remembered it. Exploring the entire market would take days, but I managed to find some souvineers and eat some native Hungarian food, fried dough which looks like a pizza with cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, etc on top. It was a LOT, but worth trying!

The central market of Budapest

fried dough....mmm

Afterwards we walked along the Danube to St. Stephen's Basilica, where we were planning on meeting for a free tour of the city. Unfortunately it started to rain so we explored the basilica instead. The inside was absolutely beautiful, and after walking up what felt like a million steps on a winding staircase, we were able to see the breathtaking view from the top.

From the top of St. Stephen Basilica

Next the group went to the Lukacs thermal baths. These naturally heated baths are supposed to be healing, and they were so relaxing. It was such an incredible and unique experience. There was even a whirlpool part, which was kind of like the lazy river at hurricane harbor.

 

Saturday was a beautiful day, and I am glad we waited until then to take the free tour. We crossed the chain bridge to the buds side of the city, which is known for being more mountainous than the Pest side, where we stayed. Ironically, the highest mountain only took about 100 stairs to climb. At the top was Matthias church, Fisherman's Bastion, some midevil ruins, the national gallery, and yet another beautiful view.

The tour guide told us to rub his belly and twirl his mustache for good luck, so we did!

"Shoes on the Danube," an incredibly moving Holocaust memorial

Saturday night we went to different thermal bath. This one was a bath party with a dj, flashing lights, and lots of crazy study abroad kids. It was fun, and the first person I met when I walked knew Madison (my roommate of the past 3 years)! Small world right?

I had big plans for today (Sunday) that involved seeing the Synogague, Heroes square, and parliament. Unfortunately the aftermath of the bath party made me not so willing to wake up as early this morning... I had already gone last year so I'm not too upset about missing it this time around, but it would have been great to go again!

That's all for now!