My weekend began with the trek back from Szekesfehervar. Krisztina was our lucky driver. The drive actually went pretty smoothly given that the bus system had been on strike for several days and there were more cars on the road than usual. However, the smooth sailing ended once we got back to the PwC office. While I have NO clue how to drive a stick shift, I do know how to park a car. Let's just say there were no fewer than 3 new beauty marks on our lovely fiat by the time Krisztina got the car into its assigned spot. I am just glad I will never be asked to drive here - apparently Hungarians don't believe in automatic :)
When I got home, Jo and I went for dinner in our neighborhood and had a great meal at Minyon. However, as we were eating a bit late, we all but got kicked out as they turned our table into the dance floor. As Jo is from South Africa and his parents own a farm, I was asking him for cool wild animal stories. Of course two of the stories he tells me involve large Hippos nearly eating him alive. I mean really - who has Hippos in their backyard and multiple experiences that involve a near death experience with them. The night ended with Jo and me aimlessly wandering our neighborhood to try and find an open coffee shop. We ended the night empty handed :(
Act II - Mummies, Langos, & Ecuadorians
Jo had to work on Saturday so he left me on my own to explore. Naturally, I planned a jam-packed day. I wanted to go to St Stephen's basilica, Budapest's version of Eastern Market - well Eastern Market on steroids, and then finally make my way to Gellert baths - one of the Turkish baths in the city. I got all the way to the basilica before I figured out I had left my directions at my apartment - oops. St. Stephen's Basilica is known best for the relic of St. Stephen's hand. I'm not quite sure that the eerily green, mummified hand is all that spectaculor but I can now check it off my list of dos while here.
Next, I headed to the great market hall in search of lunch and maybe a bit of shopping. As I rounded the corner to the market, I could hear a roadside "band" playing and had a deja vou feeling. When the band came into view, I recognized their bags. Here was a random Ecuadorian band. I walked up and talked to their PR guy and turns out the band is touring Europe. How random and small world - Ecuadorian band in Budapest. As I walked into the Great Market Hall, it was a bit overwhelming. Stalls and Stalls and Stalls of the same thing repeated over and over again - fruit & veggies, bread, meats, and paprika. Upstairs I found my new favorite food - Langos. I guess I could describe it as a cross between a donut and pizza. I realize that sounds gross but it was sooooooooooooo good. Heart-clogging, hip-widening GOOD.
Yes, Lauren, that is Coke light - don't kill me. While I haven't totally kicked my DC (now CL) habit, coke light is certainly less tempting.I think the most note worthy part to the Great market Hall is that the place was teeming with bars. I mean literally bars - the kind where men stand at 11:30 am on a Saturday and play cards with the Beer maid.
to be continued......
KELLY!
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