Today I
awoke to the heartbreaking realization that I’m no longer in Budapest. The majestic
city absolutely stole my heart, and now it hardly seems real that I was actually
there, experiencing its magic firsthand. The entirety of the city captivated me
– and I found myself constantly in awe of my resplendent surroundings. The twin
cities of Buda and Pest are not only stunning, but they also possess
enthralling personalities. While some parts are rough around the edges, others
are purely exquisite.
Fisherman's Bastion in Buda
My favorite
part about the architecture is the juxtaposition between the stately pastel
colored buildings that look like decorative Easter eggs, and the ominous dark
buildings that look like victims of a ravenous fire long ago. While many of the
sights and notable landmarks were built in 1896 for the city’s millennial
celebration, to me the entire city felt extraordinarily old. I could almost
picture myself stepping back in time and experiencing the antiquated Budapest
that once was.
Vajdahunyad Castle in Pest
Chain Bridge
Heroes' Square in City Park
Budapest
has gone through a markedly tumultuous history, yet has come out more regal
than ever. We saw one of the most harrowing snapshots of Budapest’s history
when we visited the House of Terror, a museum in the former headquarters and
torture site of the Nazi and communist secret police. The city has seen its
fair share of heartbreak, and while its days of Soviet occupation ended long
ago, there are still some vaguely reminiscent traces of its communist past.
Even riding on the metro, with its vintage leather handles on the ceiling,
charmingly outdated stations, and archaic recordings that announced the upcoming
stops and closing of the rickety doors, made me feel like I had transported myself back to the 1960s. Though I was never alive to experience the 60s myself, riding
on Budapest’s public transportation evoked an enigmatic nostalgia.
Great Market Hall, my favorite place in Pest
Nevertheless, Budapest has
gracefully transitioned into a remarkably elegant city that nods to both its
former greatness and turbulent history. If I could describe the city in one
word, it would be “regal”. I was completely entranced by how majestic the city
was. At times I felt as if I were living in a fairytale, which makes coming
home and reminiscing about my trip that much more surreal. “Did that really
happen?” I ask myself every two minutes as I daydream about wandering through
the colorful hills of Buda, crossing the magnificent Chain Bridge, getting lost
within the vibrant Great Market Hall, and soaking for hours in the famous
Széchenyi thermal baths.
Exploring Castle Hill in the sunshine
Széchenyi thermal baths - hands down my favorite experience in Budapest! (We went at night, so I didn't bring my camera along. I'm so glad I didn't, because we ended up getting stolen from here!)
One of my
favorite moments of the trip was when were atop the Fisherman’s Bastion – one
of the highest lookout towers in Buda – sipping steamy mulled wine in the
sunshine and admiring the breathtaking views of Pest. As we were gazing out
upon the Danube, Parliament, Chain Bridge and St. István’s Basilica, a nearby
musician was playing cheerful classical tunes for the crowds below. Suddenly,
the clock struck noon, and all of the bells in the city started chiming at the
same time. The bells rang from every which direction, and we fell silent to
witness the enchanting scene before us. In that moment I felt so present, so
fully immersed in the magic of the moment, that all I could feel was pure joy.
As I soaked in every detail of our surroundings, happiness radiated from every
inch of my body. I felt so alive.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoWwDYjswoLBZCQELErbtY_ixzjdGPo6OwZQqo_4BAnw5XAjmYcGsRNkHwm0rcpF4Bd4DYGLra-7yOtaiikbikS5qWVwqoVQk0KAgVY48fh07JouUV4Ieyk6sLhyw4_Xq4IKx2nMrH-o/s1600/IMG_3088.jpg)
Now I can’t
shake the feeling that it was all just a splendid dream, a mere figment of my
overactive imagination. If it weren’t for the hundreds of pictures that I took,
I’d have a hard time believing that all of it was actually real. But I suppose
the best part of it all is that despite my nostalgic reminiscing,
Budapest was just as magical in the moment as it is now in my mind.