MAR-GOES

I’m feeling really good right now for two main reasons. 1: As of Wednesday, all of my midterm exams are finished 2: My parents have finally arrived to come let me show them around Prague. I’ve been counting down the days to see my parents mostly because I’ve missed them so much BUT now, I’m even more excited to show them this wonderful city. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous these past few days and it is only getting better from here. I swear Prague is a completely different place now. When I first showed up in January, it was dark, smoggy, and cold. The people here also seemed to fit that description (not that I can blame them since the weather determines my mood usually). Now that the sun is out… people are out and about, farmers markets seem to pop up on every corner, the river bank is filled with boat restaurants and people, and happiness is in the air. I recently said that if I could wrap my family and friends up and bring them here, I would never leave. (This is actually a little bit of an exaggeration considering the fact that I have a running list of things I miss from America.) Anywho!! On Wednesday I had my Czech Language oral exam to finish off my midterm week. If you told me a year ago that I would be sat down and tested on my knowledge and conversation skills with the Czech language (and do well on it), I would have laughed in your face. No doubt. While I will never be anything near fluent in this language, I can tell you a little bit about myself and my family AND I can name some foods… that counts for something. Jsem umím mluvit česky trochu!! lol.

So this past weekend Greg, our friend Chris, and I decided to take a last minute trip to Budapest. We bought overnight train tickets for Friday night. The train went from midnight to 8:37 am… we had a long night ahead of us. All of the beds on the train were sold so we had to settle for regular seats. However, when we got onto the train we found out we bought seats in little rooms on the train that could hold 6 people. If you’ve seen Harry Potter it looked exactly like that, with the sliding door and the two sides for seats. We took our seats and locked the door once the train starting moving. Success, we had the whole room to ourselves. I spread out across the one side of seats, and Greg and Chris took turns doing that and taking the floor. (It turned out they both preferred the floor better than the seats that were impossible to get completely comfy on.) I’ll take the lumpy seats rather than the dirty floor thank you very much. After a night of mediocre sleep we finally arrived! We only had Saturday to explore since we were leaving at 5 am on Sunday so we really had to get at the day. Our original plan was to stay up all night at a bar or something and then catch the train home to avoid hotel costs, but my wonderful father offered to get us a nice hotel room. (We didn’t consider the fact that we would be exhausted after barely sleeping and exploring an entire city in one day.) We checked into the hotel at 9 am! Another lucky check in, Greg swears that if you have it prepaid they are more willing to let you check in early.

We set our stuff down and went out to quick get breakfast. Greg found a place close by that had good ratings on Tripadvisor. It was delicious! The boys got eggs benedict and I got an English breakfast. Side note: I had the best iced coffee I’ve ever had in my life here.

After filling our stomachs we walked towards the center of the town. We had absolutely gorgeous weather. Budapest is a very cool city. The Danube river runs through the middle of it separating the cities of what were once Buda and Pest. We just kind of explored around the main area by the river.

This was a city where I did not realize the horrible past it went through. Not only was it heavily effected by Nazi rule during WWII but also was under Soviet rule from 1949-1989. Extremely similar to the Czech Republic. Some of these countries really did not catch a break, it amazes me. Like Berlin, I felt that Budapest had a slightly somber vibe. Along the river, there was a monument for the 3,500+ people who were killed by Arrow Cross Militiamen during WWII. It was an extremely powerful monument, having bronze shoes lined up along the bank of the river. They symbolized the people who were lined up, told to take their shoes off, and shot from behind to fall into the river. All of these central and eastern European countries with these morbid pasts truly remind me how lucky we are to live in America. (Not that America doesn’t have its own issues.) I just can’t begin to fathom what many, many people went through during these times and even recently.

On a more bright and delicious note, as we were walking uptown, we walked by a donut place. Greg goes, “Margo, that looks like a you kind of place”. ABSOLUTELY. I love donuts so much and these were amazing. They had all of the good, unhealthy, chocolatey kinds of donuts to choose from. I got a box of 6 with no intention of sharing at first, then realizing I was being ridiculous and gluttonous, and allowed the boys 1 donut each. Hehe.

We wanted to then check out the thermal baths. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of them but it seemed that they are a must-go when in Budapest. I personally felt like I was at the YMCA pool with foreign strangers. It was cool because it was warm and we could be swimming outside in March, but it was not my cup of tea. Perhaps, I am a small germaphobe. We did get some cool pictures with beautiful yellow building in the background.

In desperate need of showers after our “bath”, we went back to the hotel (thanks dad) to clean up and go out for dinner. We found a place called “Fat Mama Eatery”. It was basically all American-ish food. Once again, we find ourselves not eating the local foods of the country we are in.. we need to work on that. Better late than never I guess. I got fish and chips (ok so technically British) and the boys both got brisket and mac and cheese. Top that off with some beers and a sex on the beach for me and we were happy people.

After dinner, we were told about a cool bar nearby. We went, got in, and were amazed. It really was so cool. It was two floors, super quirky and urban, and packed. We went at 9 pm and it was even packed then. When we left around 10:30 it was so full we could barely walk to the exit. They had separate bars for hookah, cocktails, shots, beer, and wine. I wish I could’ve taken good pictures but it was way too dark for my phone. I don’t use other people’s pictures in my blogs so I won’t now, but please look it up on google images. It is called: Szimpla Kert. I don’t think any of the pictures will do it justice but it was really neat.

And that was what we did with our small time in Budapest! It was on my list of places to go so I was happy to cross it off. It is a beautiful place, and while I won’t say it was in my top 5 favorite places I’ve ever been, I definitely suggest checking it out if you are given the opportunity to.

Now I have a good 10 days ahead of me to show my parents, and Andrea when she comes, around Prague. We actually have a trip to Vienna, Austria planned for this weekend. I am currently on the bus going there now with them. We had a great first night for them in Prague! I showed them around where I lived and where I go to school. I took them to Lemon Leaf, a thai food restaurant. My dad said it was the best Phad Thai he’s ever had. Score 1 for Margo on picking food for this next week and a half.

Cheers to a weekend in Vienna and for a good trip for my parents to see where I’m living. I can hardly wait for Andrea to get here on Wednesday!

As usual, I hope all is well with whoever you are, wherever you are.

xx