Budapest

We spent a full 6 days in Budapest, our longest in any one place thus far. Partly this was because there is so much to see. The Danube is flanked by two full cities, Buda and Pest. The hills in Buda have the oldest sights, like the Castle and the most famous hot spring baths, while Pest contains the cosmopolitan development standard to other European cities, like luxury shops, great performance halls, and soaring cathedrals. Both sides have divey bars and funky coffeehouses in their winding residential neighborhoods. But then partly the extended stay was also due to our hungover/sleeping landlord letting us our apartment for a fraction of the price originally advertised.

One reoccurring sight in these former Austro-Hungarian capitals are the colorful patterns on the terracotta tile roofs, with which I was previously unfamiliar.


Another favorite are the traditional hunting clothes, which many men wear in the city streets, apparently unaware that to an untrained eye they evoke childhood memories of the cast of the Sound of Music as opposed to an impression of machismo. And then there is this take on the matter:

A few other noteworthy items include Europe's oldest subway system (original cars still running, apparently),

the most famous export, paprika,

and the nicest hotel lobby I have ever seen at the Four Seasons in Pest (seriously coming back here with cash).

Oh and this has nothing to do with Budapest, except for being created there, but is this not the best venn diagram ever?

xoxo Jessie