July 23rd - August 6th 2023
As my European adventure was coming to a close, I decided to make a quick stop in Budapest before heading back to the US. Returning to this charming city was my way of saying goodbye to Europe and remembering all the amazing memories I made. I spent my days working but made sure to take advantage of my mornings to rediscover the magic of Budapest.
My first morning back in Budapest, I reached out to Agnes and Zoltan, a lovely couple I met on a bus ride from Heraklion to Rethymno. We met up for coffee and a walk around the Pest side of Budapest, which reminded me why I fell in love with this city in the first place. We visited Margaret Park, and Central Market Hall, aka Nagycsarnok aka Vasarcsarnok, built in 1897 is the largest of all Budapest Market Halls. From the stunning architecture to the vibrant street art, Budapest has a charm that is irresistible.
Despite the fact that the two Airbnb's I stayed in had unreliable wifi, I saw it as a blessing in disguise. It forced me to wake up early and venture out to find a coffee shop to work from. I made it a point to explore different neighborhoods and stumbled upon hidden gems that I would have missed had I stayed in my apartment.
One neighborhood that caught my attention was District 13, which I had read was an up-and-coming area. Unknowingly, Agnes and Zoltan took me there for breakfast one morning. As we sat at the coffee bar, I bombarded them with questions about the state of the Hungarian economy as I consider a permanent return to the country. Zoltan, being the leader that he is, knew exactly when to interrupt our conversation to remind me of my limited time. It was a work day and I had only just over an hour before I needed to be online.
Aside from exploring the city, I also made time for some of my favorite things to do in Budapest- back to Oxygen Wellness, not exactly a thermal spa but if you ask me, even better. So good, I headed straight there right after my flight landed.
One of the things I appreciated most about Budapest was its rich history and how it's preserved. The "Shoes on the Danube River" memorial is a must-see, for starters. It's dedicated to the Jews who were executed by fascist Hungarian Arrow Cross militiamen during World War II.
Returning to Budapest served as the perfect break for my European adventure. I fell in love with the city all over again and discovered new things that I hadn't experienced before. From charming neighborhoods to thermal baths and museums, Budapest has something for everyone. I'm grateful for the memories I made and look forward to returning to Budapest in the very near future.
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