We are in the glorious city of Budapest, and having been here for slightly more than 24 hours, it has already surpassed my expectations! The city is beautiful, in every sense! The only builds like the streets giving it an amazing old-city charm. Churches and Palaces seem to be all to common, and they tower over head, remnants of a much older time. They are amazing structures, with dazzling displays of architecture and innovation. I am still in awe of the ability of such tremendous structures to be built such a long time ago, and yet, to still retain such beauty and elegance. The city is stunning.
We arrived in Budapest yesterday morning at 6am, and to our convenience NOTHING was open! So we hung around the train station for an hour or so until we could exchange some money and find out where they heck we were. After finding a hostel, Josh and I went out exploring. The historical sights in Budapest seem to be endless, and there is so many places we want to go. We ended up walking up this huge mountain, that is filled with pathways (all practiaclly vertiacal) and filled with old statues and monuments. After nearly passing out from the climb, we reached the summit and lone-behold it is a huge castle! The view from the top is something out of a painting, unbelievably beautiful panoramic view of the city. Truly a special spot. We walked a little more, came across an underground church, and some other magnificant buildings, before finally heading back to the hostel, entirely exhausted. We immediately met some very gregarious English Chaps in our dorm, who were still drunk from the night before, and they befriended us right away and took us with them to "bath". And WOW! This was definitely the highlight of the trip thus far. We walked into this seemingly average building, and it opened itself up into a bath/sauna/spa area that was fit for the greatest of Roman Emperors! The place was gigantic! With two huge outdoor pools, which were more like hot tubs, complete with a "worldpool' which is without a doubt every child's dream. Inside the building was an elaborate variety of saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and ice baths! Dozens of different expansive saunas, all with different temperatures, and different sweaty people inside of them. One thing I did notice about the people there is that they have NO shame! People who would never dare to come out to the beach or wear a bathing suit in America, are at this bath in all their Glory, wearing nothing but skin tight bathings suits (the kind that look like underwear to us Americans). With their stomaches hanging out and all they are basking in the sun and steam of this magical place. Although, at first it is somewhat offensive to see, there is something quite beautiful about it. The fact that there is no stress to be perfect and skinny, and people who are truly free in their own skin.... but still, it takes a little getting used to lol
After the bath we had a little dinner with our friends, and roamed the streets, until our feet were so sore that it was time for sleep.
Thus sums up our stay in Budapest so far, we shall see what adventures today brings us. I need to get out of here.. internet is costing me 100 HUF every ten mintutes.. but I guess, a good thing 100 HUF only equals are 50 cents. ; )
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