The Pest!

Shall I step up to my high horse again? Na... I will try to stand in place.

Since I am fortunate enough to be in Europe, I feel I should travel European.

We took the train to Budapest - it was CRAZY, especially at 7.5 months pregnant, but that is part of the experience.

We arrived and took another 45 minute bus outside the city to our hotel. I had bought a weekend off of Groupon because it included a spa and Aquaworld - not bad, really enjoyed the comfortable bed (and probably needed it due to Atticus) - but I really prefer to be in the city, in a hostel.

We started the next day in the tourist district and wasted a day... not bad sight seeing, but when I are in a place as unique and alternative as Budapest, I need more than pretty sights. We did the Central Market Hall - nice to see but generic, Parliament - incredible architecture, wandered the streets looking for certain stores I had read about, drank hot wine, stopped into Zappa Cafe, and went into every McDonalds or Burger King so preggs could pee every 30 minutes. Ugh so annoying.

We did visit the Tisza shoe store, and I could kick myself for not buying a pair now. I was so focused on finding a Christmas gift for Butch's son Zach, and so disappointment when they didn't carry a 14 for him that I forgot to look for me or Billy.

We also found a tapas restaurant for dinner that absolutely hit the spot. It reminded me of my first time overseas in Le Creausot where I didn't eat a lot of food, but it was of such quality that it completely filled me up. The prices in Hungary though did not remind me of France AT ALL. I had a 3 course meal (spicy red lentil soup with homemade bread, pork cutlets with fried onions and a sauce I wasn't familiar with, potatoes, and pistacio cake with vanilla bourbon cream) for what converted to about 13 euro. Billy had a four course meal for what converted to about 15 euro (smoked trout on bread with homemade cream spread, soup, duck in an asian sauce, and pistacio cake). Amazing. I also had a fabulous homemade lemonade and Billy's wine was to die for.

Early to bed and early to rise is a pregnant woman's life. So we were off Saturday for Antique shopping... unfortunately Hungarians do not rise so early, so we skipped the Antique district and headed out of the city for the Esceri Fleamarket. We were definitely the only English speakers out here, but this is what Billy and I travel for... to see something real. To see and experience life outside of our comforts. We didn't know which bus or where to get off, but luckily with some fancy hand signals and a map, a bus driver put us on the correct bus and motioned at us when we were to get off.

A food stand welcomed us into the market, and for what amounted to 3 euro we ate chicken wings, pork sandwich, sausage with homemade bread, and hot peppers. We had some difficulties ordering, and Billy got embarrassed for the first time in our marriage when I practically touched someone's food trying to say I wanted some of that, but it was soooooooooooooo good. OMG.

We went to the Castle District for fantastic views of the city, an even more fantastic wine tasting, and topped it off with a late lunch at the best deli I have ever been to. At Mangalica & Társai Húspatika we had something similar to a burger, something similar to a hot dog, and baked cheese and a salad. Ahhhhhhhh.

We finished the evening with the Budapest version of a funnel cake, a long walk, and an evening in the spa at our hotel.

Sunday was WAMP day. I was super stoked because I had read a lot about it. I had hoped for the design fair, but unfortunately it was the gastro fair the weekend we were there. Coffees and jams and cookies and hummus and cream spreads and breads and cheeses and meats... OHHH myyyyy. Billy was in heaven with the local brews - very hoppy makes a very happy Billz.

Next was the market at Szimpla Kert. Sooooooooo cool. I cannot even describe it. I could absolutely kick myself for not going here each day for the atmosphere. We supported the local poor population by enjoying a bowl of some type of meat stew. There was every type of pickled veggie on sale and it was cheap as dirt. I always feel 'not cool enough' at these types of places, but at the same time it is so unpretentious that it just doesn't matter.

We caught our afternoon train back to Germany. Tough ride back, but I will take that any day over car or plane.