Gyros Buffet in Budapest
April 9, 2010
Destination 3: Budapest
Like the two cities that preceded it, Budapest caused me a world of grief on my arrival. I didn’t know that there would be two train stops at Budapest, so I got off my train at the first one. It was a different name than I was expecting, but the first 4 letters were the same. There is probably something lost in translation, I tell myself. Nobody would confuse foreigners by making two different train stations with similar names. Besides, I couldn’t afford to not get off and miss my Budapest stop.
The train station was small, and not at all what I was expecting. I had a sick feeling that I was not where I should have been. I was supposed to be close to downtown, but there were no tall buildings in sight.
Parliament
Walking through the train station, I realized that Hungary has its own currency too. Not a problem. First stop, post office to get some local coin. I was starving after a 7 hour train ride (you could say I was Hungary…ha ha so lame) and needed to get some grub. The post office didn’t exchange foreign currency like in Zagreb, but they directed me to a bank just down the street that would do it for me. Ok, no big deal. I walked down that street only to find that the bank had closed. Food will have to wait, sorry stomach.
I returned to the train station to try to find my bearings on the map I made for myself. At that moment my suspicions were realized. I am at the wrong train station. None of the streets around me were on my homemade map. The train station was also facing the wrong direction. I walked across to the other side of the train station, but the story remained the same. Slow clap here for Mike Salvati. I found myself in a foreign city, with no currency, no comprehension of the language, no map, and essentially lost (Foolish English Tourist Moment #2). I will look back on this and laugh, I told myself. Everything will be alright… eventually. At the moment however, nothing was right. I was an alien here. I can’t speak or read Hungarian. The buildings looked run down while the locals looked unpleasant. I was not in a happy place.
I eventually found myself walking alongside a major highway like a hitch hiker. I was doing my best “not a tourist” impression. What backpack? Oh this, it’s more of a schoolbag really. It doesn’t have a laptop or digital camera in it. Just books and stuff… you know. Using my keen sense of deduction (I’m a modern day Sherlock Holmes), I decided that “Centrum” is downtown (It was Centaur in Croatia, when I had a map and knew where I was going). My hostel claims to be 10 minutes from downtown, so I figured that no matter where I go, I am walking closer towards a 10 minute walk to my hostel.
Canadian Embassy! The inside was nice but they wouldn't let me take pictures. Pfff, I practically own it. My tax dollars pay their salary (probably).
Eventually, I found a gas station off the road. Gas stations are the same everywhere, and this one was bound to have a map. Success! I strolled in, grabbed a map and opened it up to its fullest. I didn’t ask the clerk for permission to do so, because I had no money to buy it, and could not afford for him to tell me no. However, I was struggling to locate my position on the map and my destination. Budapest is a big city after all (3 million people). I gave up once I saw a Wi-Fi hot spot nearby. Unfortunately, the map wouldn’t fold was easily as I expected. It was awkward, and the fold lines were unclear. After a small struggle, I managed to get it away without destroying it, all the while trying to hide my activity from the store clerks.
I set up my laptop and confirmed good news and bad news. The bad news, which I already knew, was that I did in fact get off at the wrong train station. The good news was that the one I was supposed to get off at was not across town, AND that I was already walking in the right direction. Booya! After drawing myself a new map, I set off once more towards my hostel. I was tired, hungry, but now had purpose and a sense of direction.
Mike: Sorry I was late, I got off at Kelenfort instead of Keleti station, got lost, and had to find my way over here.
Hostel Clerk: Did you take the bus then?
Mike: No….I walked…
Hostel Clerk: Oh…
Over 2 hours and 5 km later I finally made it to my hostel….
Having wasted any opportunity to see the city on the day of my arrival, I was forced to see as much of it as I could in one day, because the following day I was bound for Vienna. Do you know how to make the most of Budapest on 1 day? I do now. You have to wake up early and walk around for 9 hours. So much walking…
The construction stereotypes are the same in Budapest. One man works while the rest watch
I found that Budapest is a lot like good-looking people. They can afford to be mean and cold because they are so pretty to look at. This is true of Budapest, which is an absolutely stunning city. It has a beautiful combination of mountain and urban landscapes, from rock faces jutting out from under cliffs to towering buildings lining its major streets. Budapest also has a massive Parliament (I’m told its 3rd largest in Europe), an outstanding Basilica, and a charming castle district. All in all, it was certainly a treat for the eyes.
The Opera
The cities unfriendly demeanour can also be forgiven for its cheap delicious food and the fine weather during my stay there. During my stay of about a day and a half, I must have eaten 7 or 8 roadside gyros (roughly 2 pounds each). I also had a massive lunch at a Market hall, enjoying a healthy serving of Goulash, a fried sausage, some bread and a half litre of local brew (all for about 5 pounds). This puts The Court to shame (My London home away from home). I was so full of deliciousness that I could barely walk back to my hostel. Mmmmmm. Good Eats.
I was also able to do my sightseeing in SHORTS! It was amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed my first shorts day of the year. I hope I never have to wear jeans again. The weather was about 20 degrees Celsius, and I might even have a bit of a tan (probably wishful thinking).
At his point, I could extend my good looking person analogy from earlier by including my other observations/experiences (cheapness and more revealing clothing), but won’t, because then things will just get out of hand.
This apple was massive! It looks normal, but I have BIG hands. I ate most of it until a dog came and licked it when I wasn't looking. Then I had to throw it out 
They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. This is especially true for me. Budapest may have tricked me into walking a marathon over my stay (Thanks for the blister….jerk), but rewarded me with its beauty and a full belly. It’s probably good that I had to walk so much to work off all that food I ate.
Next Stop: Vienna, Austria
