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Well yesterday was a big fat traveler day. Got up with Christina and Lasse and we ran some errands in Køge. It's such a pretty old town. Then in the early aft they dropped me at the train so they could head out to visit Lasse's family and celebrate his grandma's birthday. It is so hard saying goodbye, but I know I will see them again. These two glorious people are family, so it's only a 'see you later'.
And so I was thrust back into journey mode and took a couple trains back to Copenhagen airport. Always one to err on the side of being early, I arrived about four hours before my flight. But with all international airports, there's plenty of shopping and distraction to pass the time. And so after some pasta salad distraction, I boarded my flight to Budapest baby!!!
(Sidebar: Norwegian airlines rocks hard core! It's a discount flyer, but offered free wifi on board. Awesomeness.)
I was meeting up with another former New Zealand traveling partner (from the UK). But the arrival was not without some misadventures. Early in the morning the apartment we had rented was unavailable, so there was some last minute scurrying. But Denise is a master and coordinated the changes and we found each other in central Budapest! It's a wonderful little apartment just on the outskirts of the city centre. But we are also just a few hundred meters from the tram stop, so I'm sure we will make it work.
Denise already had a bottle of cheap Hungarian wine on the go, so we sat up and kibbitzed and caught up on all the juicy details of our lives until after 3 am. So the day started sadly to say goodbye to some friends, but it ended in the warmth of another friend. It's all about balance, I guess.
This morning, Denise and I got up at a very respectable hour, had some coffee and headed out to get our bearings. I have to say, it is a wonderful treat having visited here before. I still need the map on occasion, but I definitely have some familiar places.
And so we started at one, the Central Market Hall and more specifically the Langos stall upstairs. These tasty treats are one of my favourites and the stall I ate my first at three years ago is still there, whoop! It's a fried bread base with sour cream, cheese and whatever else you might want on top (I went for onions, tomatoes and cucumber). I nearly exploded in happiness and Denise is already planing a return trip. Those b******s are yummy!!
Then wandered the Váci Utca, strolled up the Danube to the Hungarian Parliament and just kept on walking. We did a massive circle of the city centre and it was fabulous. We paused for a beer and a gab, checked out the architecture and just soaked in this incredible city. Quick pause back at the apartment for some internet research and then back out for dinner on the street outside a pub down a nearby side street. All I'm gonna say is - red lentil soup with fried cheese balls. I am digging the Hungarian cuisine!!
All the walking and lack of sleep is gonna serve me well tonight I tell ya!!
- comments
Chuckie So glad you have reconnected with your friends in such positive and strong ways. Sounds like you will be attached for life! Your journey sounds like it is all you want it to be and more. Enjoy the moment. Today I spent the day at a horse show in a small village, Palgrave, north of the city. Had a grand time with friends and up close with the animals. Getting ready for Jo's memorial and a little get together at the apartment afterwards. Looking fwd to GG arriving on Thursday. We will miss you but know you are in good hands. I love you lots, Dad
Haley Hints You're more like Anthony Bourdain.