I arrived safe and sound to gorgeous spring weather in Budapest (Hungary) yesterday. Budapest is a quiet city thats easy to navigate, despite not knowing the language. I havent strayed far in the little time Ive had here, but the tourists seem to be mostly various Europeans with a handful of East Asians (many of them living in Europe too).
This is the first time Ive travelled somewhere where I spoke none of the language (I dont speak Italian, but when I was there my Spanish got me a long way). I find it embarrassing and stifling. There are certainly lots of folks who speak English (Ive only had one waiter not speak good English so far). Yet when I wanted to find a notebook to buy in the mall, I felt totally lost and stupid simply wandering through the gigantic mall (complete with H&M), too shy to stop and ask random people. After not following through on several opportunities to acquire Hungarian learning books and cds before I left, I did manage to find a good book today (Im on lesson 2 already), and I hope to have some basics by the time I get off the train tomorrow.
After sleeping in (fighting both jet lag and pre-trip exhaustion), I headed to Szechenyi
spa-one of many, many spas that take advantage of the natural hot springs under much of Budapest and Hungary). Its huge! There are 3 big outdoor pools including a lap pool where I got some aerobic exercise and one with a tiny but super fast version of a lazy river (like they have at water parks in the US-see photo here). Inside, there are another dozen smaller and hotter pools as well as dry and wet saunas, all in an old magestic 19th century (or earlier maybe) palace. I loved the many, many types of people and bodies at Syechenyi-- Hungarian and tourist, kids, big people, disabled folks, elderly (some playing chess in the water). It was a WON
DERFUL way to spend my day (and had I brought food and a book, I would have stayed even longer).
Language
This is the first time Ive travelled somewhere where I spoke none of the language (I dont speak Italian, but when I was there my Spanish got me a long way). I find it embarrassing and stifling. There are certainly lots of folks who speak English (Ive only had one waiter not speak good English so far). Yet when I wanted to find a notebook to buy in the mall, I felt totally lost and stupid simply wandering through the gigantic mall (complete with H&M), too shy to stop and ask random people. After not following through on several opportunities to acquire Hungarian learning books and cds before I left, I did manage to find a good book today (Im on lesson 2 already), and I hope to have some basics by the time I get off the train tomorrow.
Relaxation at Szechenyi Spa
After sleeping in (fighting both jet lag and pre-trip exhaustion), I headed to Szechenyi
spa-one of many, many spas that take advantage of the natural hot springs under much of Budapest and Hungary). Its huge! There are 3 big outdoor pools including a lap pool where I got some aerobic exercise and one with a tiny but super fast version of a lazy river (like they have at water parks in the US-see photo here). Inside, there are another dozen smaller and hotter pools as well as dry and wet saunas, all in an old magestic 19th century (or earlier maybe) palace. I loved the many, many types of people and bodies at Syechenyi-- Hungarian and tourist, kids, big people, disabled folks, elderly (some playing chess in the water). It was a WONDERFUL way to spend my day (and had I brought food and a book, I would have stayed even longer).Food and Culture
Last night, I ate at Cafe Eklektika. One of two gay places listed in my Lonely Planet. Sadly, I would never have known it was a lesbian-owned cafe if I hadnt read it in my book. The food was delicious though! The rest of the food Ive had has been quite mediocre--largely because I dont know food words in Hungarian and its tough to find the affordable yet delicious food without the language! Im sure I will eat quite well once Im in the hands of my hosts though!
My hour of internet time at the ridiculously orange easyHotel Budapest is nearly up, so Ill sign off for now. Tomorrow I take the train to Kolozvar (aka Cluj,Romania- Cluj is what appears on most maps) and then Thursday another train to the Homorod Valley (also in Transylvania, Romania). I look forward to meeting my Transylvanian Unitarian colleagues soon!
Please leave me comments and let me know what you want me to write about!
(Please also excuse my punctuation. The ' and other symbols are hard to find on this keyboard)
