The train to Budapest was actually quite enjoyable. The seats were very comfortable and they were out in the open and not inside a cabin. I do not like cabin seating. I don’t want to spend hours face to face with someone.
I arrived in Budapest at midnight. I walked outside. It is POURING. I thought I found the metro but I wasn’t sure since there is absolutely no signage outside. I wait and finally break my hatred of asking people for help. They tell me yes, this is the metro station. Thank you.
I go downstairs, burning hot. The escalators are very fast, this scares me to death. I don’t know what it is but recently I’ve started to get scared of getting on escalators going down. It’s the stupidest fear and it developed right in time for me to go to Europe with these super speedy down escalators.
I am staying at a guesthouse tonight, named “Kate’s Guesthouse”. In case you are unaware of what a guest house is, it’s exactly what it sounds like. You are a guest in a house. I had my own room with a lock, shared bathroom and kitchen. I stayed here partially for cost, partially for the fabulous reviews. It did not disappoint.
I had contacted the owner before arrival to make sure it was okay to arrive this late. She was very accommodating. When I got into the building it was pitch black. I had made it up one floor before I realized there was an elevator. I took it for the final two floors. By now I am exhausted and soaking wet from the rain.
She led me to my room and I could not wait to fall into bed. I tried to charge my phone and realized that the adapter I had was not good here. I was so tired, I did not care.
Room view:
The next morning, I was up very early. This is typical of me because I want to go and see everything while everyone else is asleep. This doesn’t seem to work for me as I was desperate to charge both my phone and camera. I went out to try and find an adaptor. Pretty much nothing was open. I did come across some very kind people in various stores though. One of them seemed as if he was going to go upstairs to his apartment and give me his own American appliance adaptor that he had for his personal television. Very nice people.
I finally found a store that looked like Sanford and Son had died there. Here I found an adaptor. I think it cost me about thirty cents.
I went back to my room to shower while my stuff charged. I also took advantage of the computer with internet available for free use to log onto the AT&T website to see how much data I was blowing through. Good thing I checked because I was nearing the limit so I upped it a bit.
Time to go out and see Budapest! It was POURING rain. POURING. I didn’t have anything with me like a raincoat or umbrella. I hate both of these things. However after this trip, I am open to purchasing some sort of rain coat for the future.
I went up to the castle, I rode the funicular. I love funiculars. I had Starbucks (no iced coffee, settled for a Frappucino). I walked across the Chain Bridge. This was my favorite part of being in Budapest. I love love love love love bridges.
FUNICULAR!!!
When planning my trip, I had daydreamed about having a picnic on Margaret Island, relaxing as dogs passed by. Instead I found myself sitting on a soaking wet bench, getting even more soaked as the rain kept pouring on me.
There were quite a few things on my “to do” list that I didn’t get to cross off because the rain frustrated me to the point where I just gave up. Here are some pictures of my rainy day in Budapest:
One thing I loved about Budapest was that this was the sole place on this entire trip where I actually got asked to show my ticket for the metro. I don’t mind paying for public transportation and did so in every city I visited. But with the exception for Budapest, no one asked to see a ticket.
Budapest subway station:
Since Hungary uses its own currency, I used whatever leftover cash I had to stock up on cigarettes (I know) and Diet Pepsi. I feel like everything in Budapest costs like fifty cents.
Early night to bed as I have to be up early to catch a 6:00 am train to Zagreb.