Budapest

I think we saw the city of Budapest in a record-breaking amount of time - we maximized every hour we had there. We got to the city after 5, and by the time we checked in and found our hostel, it was about 7.

We immediately went to eat dinner just down the street, which was one of the most delicious and well-served meals I think I've had. As much as Adam likes to eat and eat well, I can't complain - the places he chooses are fantastic. We quickly realized that we know nothing about Hungary or Budapest, that Hungarian is NOTHING like Polish (which we thought) and that going from Canadian dollars to Zloty to Euro to Forint is more confusing than it seems.

We met up with an American guy named Roby - he was on a Europe trip as part of a scholarship he won for college (smart guy) but mostly traveling. He joined us on a Pest tour that evening, which went from 9 to 1am. We walked to whole way, and when we got the river, were surprised with what we saw. Every important building in Buda and Pest was illuminated to look beautiful, so that I felt I was in a postcard the whole time. We couldn't really capture it with the digicam, but I don't think Adam nor I will forget it.

The next day, I learned that Robbie Williams was touring Europe and was going to perform in Budapest that night. I am a huge Robbie fan - I don't like smokers, and I don't like tattoes, but Robbie can do whatever he wants and all is forgiven. (Robbie, if you by some small chance come by this posting, I wanted you to know that. I also know you like Polish girls - that's me.) More on him later. Mmmmm...

Anyway, I am losing focus... we visited Buda from 10-3, in what was probably the hottest weather I have ever travelled in. I don't think I have mentioned this, but Europe is going through a humongous heat wave, with temperatures at about 35 degrees. Needless to say, it's really, really hot - but what can you do. Anyway, that day must have been 35 or over, with no clouds. We walked all around Buda, including up onto the hill with the castle and church. After working up a sweat and appetite, we walked to a restaurant in Pest. While talking to all our neighbouring tables, we found out that everyone and their mother was going to the concert (people drove from Germany just to see him!) which got me really excited.

The first best part of the day was right after we ate - we took the tiny metro to north Pest, where we went into the spring baths that are popular there. Szechenyi baths is one of many, but a big one: it had about 9 baths, not to mention saunas, spas and fountains. The picture up top probably says it all. I don't think any of you will really understand what it feels like to dip into one of those pools after a brutal day in the sun and just float around in the water. I got a pedicure too, as a much-needed therapy for my flip flop-wearing, Europe-traveling feet. We really need those kinds of baths in Toronto (lunch break anyone?).

We spent 2 glorious hours just floating around, walked back to our hostel (with a detour to buy sexy shoes for me... ok, for Robbie) and got ready at the hostel. We were also starved after our unsatisfying lunch meal, and ate a local place to sample some Hungarian food. It was also served very late (more on that later), but was the best food I had had so far (trumped the restaurant from the night before fo' sho'). My fish meal had paprika, which is the national spice of choice - delicious.

From there, we went to see Robbie... running a little late (as usual) and in what turned out to be a long, exciting and exhausting night.