THURSDAY //
Helen and I flew out of Copenhagen Thursday night, planning to just go to sleep once we checked into our hostel. The staff was really nice and friendly, and the room was very cute and very warm. We came a bit underprepared for the weather, expecting it to be warmer than it was (pro tip: don’t pack for the temp highs, pack for the lows) but it turned out alright. We went to sleep at around 1, excited to explore Budapest the next morning…
… Only to be woken up at 4am by our hostel flatmate. The apartment has two rooms and a shared living room, kitchen, and bathroom. I don’t think our hostelmate knew that we had arrived, because she brought a man home. We hid in the room, me giggling, her fuming, for a short while until they finished and the man left. I snuck out to use the bathroom, only to find our new flatmate asleep on the living room couch. Thankfully, she left the next morning and our new flatmates were far more considerate.
FRIDAY //
Friday morning we went to the Applied Arts Museum in Budapest. They had a lovely collection of glassware, ceramics, and furniture from over a hundred years ago up until now.
They also had an exhibit on contemporary bike design innovations, which was really interesting as well. Copenhagen has been a leading innovator in that particular field, so it was cool to see products and designs we had come across while living in the city on display here at this museum in another country. There was also an exhibit showcasing final projects by students at a nearby design school. Most of them were graphic design projects, but they were all so inspiring, both in their design and in their presence here at a museum exhibition.
After the museum we stopped at Aztek Chocolat, a specialty chocolate shop, where we both ordered their signature hot chocolate. The café was warm and hygglit, and we spent over an hour there talking and relaxing. It was one of my favorite memories from the trip.
That night, we decided to explore Budapest nightlife that we had heard so much about from other DIS students. We made our way through the winding streets to Szimpla Kert, a huge ruin bar just 10 minutes from our hostel. Already by 10 there was a long line to get in, but it moved quickly. We were almost disappointed when we reached the front and had to cut short our conversation with the British tourists behind us in line. Like everyone else who learned we were American, they asked us about the election, but were more sympathetic, having had a similar experience with the Brexit vote. I was happy to share my thoughts with them– something I hadn’t felt like doing in a while.
The ruin bar lived up to its reputation. The space is a former warehouse, emptied of its original interior and instead replaced with a series of bars, lounges, and stages for live music. We immediately gravitated to a singer/guitarist playing live music near the back. He explained that he felt shitty and would only be playing a couple more songs, and Helen correctly predicted that he would start singing something Ed Sheeran. I felt bad that he felt bad, but the music was nice. After he finished, Helen and I explored the maze of bars and chairs and tourists extending up two floors, finally settling on an outdoor section. We sat at a high table and tried to make ourselves approachable, eager to meet some new people. Of course, nearly everyone asked about the election once we admitted we were American, or worse, told us how we should feel about the election. The exception was an older man (he showed us his drivers license to prove he was 60) who told us he was god and rolled a cigarette in a little case for Helen.
We stopped at the corner for thai food, and then headed home to the hostel, where we slept through the night without interruption from any roommates.
SATURDAY //
Saturday morning we took the metro to Széchenyi thermal bath, the largest and most popular of Budapest’s many thermal bathhouses. We slipped between too hot and too cold, settling sometimes and finding the right balance before our bodies betray us and we need another change. It was invigorating.
We stopped for some street food, and then went back to Aztek to warm up and plan the rest of our day. Helen really wanted to go on a hike to the top of the city. The walk was steep, but still relatively easy, and the view was incredible. We took a ton of pictures before making our way down again.
For dinner, we wandered through the Christmas markets, searching for food and gifts for friends and family. A really nice woman let us try all the different mulled wines before buying one. I liked sour cherry best, because it wasn’t too sweet.
SUNDAY //
Sunday was back to Copenhagen. It was a long day of travel, but I was looking forward to getting back for a coffee date I had later that afternoon.
I had asked A, our glassblowing assist. instructor, out for coffee, honestly not expecting a yes. I was happily surprised at his answer though. I took him to Buzz, and I think the date went well. We spent a long time talking at the café before taking an evening walk around the lakes where I usually go running. He’s very sweet, and we have plans to spend more time together soon.
CONCLUSION //
I love Budapest, and wish I had more time there! Maybe I’ll take another trip there next semester