After another train trip, this one only 14 hours and easy compared with Turkey to Romania I got to Hungary. I instantly loved it. There were no crazy people hassling me to buy phones, there was no family procession arriving at the train station to sleep there, instead there was city indifference. I might have been invisible - YAY!!! I loved my new found invisibility, it was reassuring and much like home! I sorted out my hotel for the night, I knew it would be a little not the norm because the person that booked it for me didn't really book anything, just told me to turn up and they'd help me...always a bit interesting. Serviced appartment rather than hotel but in the good part, touristic, of Budapest so there was no complaining from me. After I'd sorted myself I went to investigate Budapest. What a lovely city. I know I've said that about everywhere I've been, with a few exceptions but we won't mention Romania!!! I was disapointed that I only had 1 day there because there was an amazing amount of things to see. So I did the important things, I shopped and took photos! Priorities!
I was almost glad that I was there for only 1 day as eating proved to be as difficult as Austria was but not as frustrating for some reason. There is a big market in Budapest with produce, gifts and a big beer hallish kind of set up. I passed on the beer but really wanted something to eat. English is pretty widely spoken in Budapest so I didn't think there'd be a problem asking for vegetarian. The lady I asked pointed to pasta, on closer inspection (and yes I inspect everything these days!!!) I discovered bacon. So said no I won't have that, it's got bacon, she said 'yes, vegetarian'. Not being arsey I said 'no bacon is not vegetarian', she said 'yes, bacon is vegetarian'. When I smiled like I was placating a 4 yr old she said 'bacon cooked is ok is vegetable'. It was hard not to laugh! I thought that the trick to vegetarian was to say 'do you have anything vegetarian without bacon' so I used my new weapon on this lady and asked if there was something without bacon and she pointed to the beef goulash. I walked away....I can't remember what I had but it didn't contain any newly discovered varieties of vegetable pig.
Only there for 1 day I wasn't able to get into any trouble and only got a little bit lost, probably wondered around aimlessly for about 40 minutes, for me that's good. In places like Amsterdam I think my lost record was 2 hours. I'm kind of resigned to the getting lost thing. Happens everywhere, I just can't locate myself on maps. I think it would happen if I had a GPS built into my head.
I'm in London now, having such a wonderful time with Carolyn & Gab. There's been shopping, wine, shopping, sights and today there's going to be Les Mis, if I can get out of bed and get a ticket. There's also been an earthquake. I said to Gab this morning, 'does your bed normally tremble?' It was a ridiculous question to ask and I felt equally as stupid asking it and had I been looking at Gab I probably would have seen the look of confusion on her face. I've since sent her a gloating text saying 'ner I am not insane there was an earthquake last night when your bed shivered'!!!
I cannot believe it's almost over. I start the 24 hour flight procession tomorrow night. It's not being looked forward to. There has been some general gnashing of teeth and head in hands action but it will be so wonderful to be home!!
