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I'm currently chilling out after 2 tiring days of sightseeing and travel in the Home Plus Hostel in Budapest.
When I woke after my fourth and final night in the superb Globe Hostel in Berlin I set off to do the final thing on my checklist. The Jewish Memorial. The actual memorial is the best I've ever seen. It's different. It's basically a large area that is filled with blocks of varous sizes. I don't really get what it is supposed to symbolise but it is so much fun walking around them, bumping into people, seeing random bodies and heads sticking out ahead and watching kids run around. I guess not all memorials have to be statues or single monuemts that doesn't create any fun.
Underneath this square of blocks is a museum dedicated to the Jews. This was pretty basic. Informative but simple and I'm glad I saw it.
My train to Budapest left at about 6pm so I planned my day to have some dinner, and time to stroll about before I had to return to my hostel to pick up my bag. Leaving Berlin was sad and I'm annoyed I never got to see any of its nightlife but sightseeing is so tiring and expensive that I just couldn't bring myself to go out. Berlin is an amazing city in so many aspects. It won't be the last time I visit the German capital.
So the 14 hour over night train to Budapest left on time and I was fortunate to have a cabin all to myself. This actually gave me the most privacy I had since leaving home. Unfortunately the bed was pretty disgusting. I climbed up, looked at the stains, smelt the smell and climbed back down and slept along the row of seats underneath. I had a fairly good sleep. I knew thieves like to target these trains (people sleep, take their eye off their stuff etc) but I didn't realise it was so bad that I was warned by the ticket man. He told me how to look the door as thieves are prominent in the stops in the Czech Republic. I locked my door and didn't hear or experience any issues.
I arrived in Budapest and got some Hungarian Forint out of the ATM and headed to the Home Plus Hostel. This hostel is so friendly. The owner actually sat me down, with a map and pointed out all the things I'd like to see. The whole hostel is on one floor of an apartment building giving it a really friendly and homely feeling. Not like a hotel.
I went and got a Big Mac and when she asked for 1,300, even though I expected it, it still felt weird giving her a 10,000 note and getting over 8,000 change. This currency will take some time to get used to but I've noticed everything is definitely cheaper.
Budapest, from what I have seen, is beautiful. The River Danube is stunning and the view you have from the river edge is incrediable. I headed away from the river first of all to check out of the Museum of Terror. I knew about this before and was excited to see it as it's the building that the Soviet Unions tourtured their captives and the place is now a museum dedicated to it. It was disapointing however. Everything was written in Hungarian, the layout was confusing and there wasn't much to see.
For the rest of the day I walked along the river, and around some nice touristy places. This city is great and tomorrow I will check out the other side of the river which is supposed to be even better! I feel two days will be long enough to spend here though so I will set off for my final destination, Munich, on Sunday as planned.
- comments
Dad Hi Dan they didn't change the sheets then! good you were the only so you had more choice where to sleep and good you didn't come across any thieves. You have had some great hostels, enjoy Budapest take care Dad