7 Budapest

Prague to Budapest.

After a quick breakfast I made the boring and un noteworthy train ride, bout seven hours total, to Budapest.

When I arrived I am embarrassed to admit that it took me a good five minuets to find me way out of the labyrinth that is Budapest train station under construction. Seriously I was stuck in the station. Lol. Found my way eventually and followed the detailed instructions with a few hiccups but I did find my way to the hostel. I even caught the tram, after which I realised that I was probably suposed to pay for, but didn't. In my excitement and eagerness to find the place, paying simply slipped my mind. 

Arriving at the hostel, which is a gorgeous old building and unmarked, up a stunning and lavish (but distressed looking, which I love) stairwell and into the hostel that seriously feels like I am staying in a group house. A detailed introduction to and map of the city and the hostel and an immediately social vibe. 

There are some cool people here already, though a lot of them are leaving tomorrow, but more will come. I decided to scratch Bratislava and extend here for two more nights. Hopefully that will be a good call. 

I signed up right away for the jäger train party tonight, not quite understanding what's jäger train is. 

Away we went, after all ordering in some pizza as a group to the ruin bar for the famed jäger train. We, quite a small hostel, met up with our two sister hostels there, so there were a whole heap of backpackers. And some colourful characters indeed. 

The jäger train is, as it happens, where they set up a whole stack of glasses of red bull and balance the shots of jäger on the edges and then all in one go set them off like a domino chain. All the jäger dropping into the other glasses. You then go and collect your five. That's right five jäger bombs and all do the first one together. I somehow, astonishingly drank all my jäger bombs and remained standing and was able to speak all night. 

Back at the hostel I and a Canadian guy fell asleep on the bean bags in the common room, waking up at about seven in the morning and finally having the bright idea to go to bed. 

A fun night was had by all. 

Day 13  Budapest

No voice 

Ate Goulash with Bert the Canadian.  

Bus ride and waiting. Long hot and unorganised tour. Chatted to people on the bus though. 

Caving trip. Amazing fun. !! 55m below ground. 

Home late 

Caught up to "Open Mic" night 

Saw baby Pommy's and Eddie that I met in Berlin.  

Tired, went home earlyish.

Day 14. Budapest

Day 14 Budapest

Feeling much better, I have a bit of a voice. 

Breakfast with Morton in the Jewish quarter.  

Went to the Jewish Quarter. Tracked down great coffee. 

Booked on a bike tour - bastards wouldn't go as I was the only one who turned up. So rented a bike and explored. 

Went to the Terror museum. 

Heroes Square and Park etc

Costume party.  Home town Stereotypes

Stupendously fun night. 

Drank form big Buckets

Stock market prices.  Price of drinks would go up and down.  You tried to buy when the price was down.

Karaoke - lots of singing.

Day 15

I did... Nothing. Nothing all day.

A lie. I cooked food. 

Then I went out in search of food and got waylaid by a collection of staff members who had met for half price margaritas. So I joined them for a while, loving every moment of the crazy stories and world that is the hostel industry in Budapest. 

After that I returned to the hostel hungry and drunk. :)

Somehow managed to get dressed and ready and then set off for the much famed and awaited boat party. 

The party was a blast, mingling, chatting, a little dancing, kissing under bridges (an old Hungarian tradition) and general nationalist mockery. And of course a fabulous look at the spectacular beauty that is Budapest. Especially all lit up at night the castles and monuments are offensively attractive. 

After the boat sailed and returned to dock we all shuffled off and onto a consistently docked boat that is a club. The club wasn't all that good but the people on board certainly were. There were a few adventures like Alex (aka Crusty) one of the staff members trying to keep guests out of the boat toilets who enraged one man to the point that he threatened to piss on him. 

I was chilling with the staff for most of the night and was mistaken for a staff member by multiple people. Even guests of the same hostel I am staying in. Because I wasn't new when they arrived and just seemed to fit in apparently. Yay for me. 

The night was a blast and one to be remembered.