I woke up to The Amelia's packing up in our room. I was so sad to see them leave. They were the first girls I had bonded with in a while. I had such a lovely time with them my first night in Budapest. Prepping for the club together, Amelia curling my hair the way they do in Wales, having dinner together and talking about our analogies on love- it was definitely an evening I would file away as unforgettable. I hugged them both goodbye and made them promise to visit me in San Diego.
I slept in a little while longer until I was awakened by the music blaring from below. My roommates were getting ready for the day as they listened to Johnny Cash. I climbed down the ladder and the English boys who played cards with us the night before asked what I had planned for today. I told them I was in search of Chicken Paprikosh. Puzzled, they asked what that was so I explained it was my favorite dish and why I wanted to come to Hungary. They told me they had plans to explore the city today and asked if I wanted to join. I told them I wouldn't mind as long as we stopped for Paprikosh. They said they were hungry and would love to try this dish I was so excited about.
I quickly got ready and then we all headed down the never ending stairwell to the first level. Once we hit the streets, they motioned for me to take the lead. "You pick the restaurant Julie, we are eager to try this Paprikosh!" I didn't know where to go, but assumed any restaurant would serve it. I retraced my steps the night before with The Amelia's and reached the main drag of restaurants. I walked up to the host and asked if they served Chicken Paprikosh. "Of course!" she exclaimed. I told her I came all the way from California to have Chicken Paprikosh. She laughed and hoped not to disappoint. She guided us over to a table for five on the patio.
We ordered beers and the boys asked what my fascination with Paprikosh was. I told them that growing up in Ohio, it was a very popular dish in my hometown. All of my friends cook it and it is my favorite meal my mom makes for dinner. When I moved around the states, no one had heard of it so apparently it was more dominate in Northeast Ohio. When I was in Croatia, I figured I was so close to my favorite dish. I figured that I might as well make the journey to try it first hand.
The server came back for our order and I pointed to the Chicken Paprikosh on the menu. She turned to Thomas and he said," Well, if that's what she's having- I will do the same!" The three remaining boys said, "Paprikosh all around!"
Today was an exciting day, I found a group that was just as eager to try Paprikosh as I was. We sipped on our beer and awaited our dish as I got to know the boys better. Thomas, Sam, Freddie and Jacob were all from London and wrapping up a two week vacation. They had been to the bath party last night as well, but there were so many people there, I never saw them.
Our meals arrived and we dove in. The food was delicious and the boys approved. We sat on the patio and reviewed the plans for the day. I told them I was up for whatever they wanted to do now that I had the meal I came for. As we left the patio the host clapped her hands together snd asked if it was worth the trip from California. I smiled and told her it was perfect.
We walked across the Chain Bridge and up to the Sziklatemplon Cave Church. It was a bit of a hike up a steep rocky hill, we were dripping in sweat and dying if thirst. However, once we arrived to the top there was a beautiful view of the city. We went inside the church and admired the rocky cave structure. That was a first being in a church that was a cave.
Next we continued to hike up the hill to a castle. We took several pictures and bought touristy knick knacks. We hiked all the way down through the woods back to the bridge and we were all exhausted from the heat and the long hike. I told the boys that I wanted to get a Thai massage so we all walked back to the city and found a Thai massage spa around the corner from the hostel. After a nice relaxing massage we walked back to the hostel and I got ready for dinner. The boys were getting ready for a pub crawl but I told them to count me out. I just wanted a nice dinner and night in. I walked in the living room and the two Brazilian boys who let me borrow their iPhone charger were relaxing on the couch. I told them I was headed to dinner and asked if they wanted to join me. They popped off the couch and said they were hungry as well. Fernando, Matheus and I headed down the street to search for a nice patio outside.
I asked what they were in the mood for and they told me to pick. Today appeared to be my lucky day. Everyone was letting me pick the place. I knew what I wanted again, Chicken Paprikosh so found a restaurant a few blocks away that served it. As the host guided us to our table, I recognized a guy at our hostel eating alone. I asked him if he was from the Maverick Hostel and he nodded his head. "Do you want to join us for dinner?" with no hesitation, he picked up his plate and took a seat with us.
The server came and this time I ordered Paprikosh with beef, Fernando ordered the same. The four of us got to know each other over dinner. The fourth traveler was from Poland. We talked about how funny it is when you backpack, it's like your in a secret society of having instant friends. Asking someone to join you for dinner is not a big deal. It's normal, the invitation is always extended. You pretty much expect to be invited at hostels. However, in the real world- back in your own cities you do not extend invitations so easily. It would be weird to pass a stranger in a hotel you're staying and say, "Have you had dinner? Want to join me?" They would think you're trying to take them home or some sort of hooker.
We talked through dinner about our travels and where we were off to next. When they asked where I was headed, I told them I wasn't sure just yet but would probably head to Austria tomorrow. I was trying to squeeze in as much travel as I could in my sixteen day trip. Fernando told me I was very brave and would never be able to travel alone. I wasn't sure if I was brave, maybe stupid for all the mistakes I've made throughout traveling. I told them about how I accidentally booked for eight people for two nights and racked up a $800 bill. They found this funny but reminded me it all worked out.
It was fun having beers with new travelers, this whole trip consisted of hearing other people's stories, adventures and the similarities we all shared. I was still having the time of my life and was happy I took a night to have a nice dinner instead of going to a Pub Crawl.
So tomorrow I might be off to Vienna. Who knows, but either way- I'm sure it will be a great day.