Budapest 101 - (Some of the) things I did during these last 29 months

I realised I have only two months and a half left in Budapest. Mainly since on new year's eve people suddenly started staging drunk goodbyes and telling me how much they were going to miss me, before and after throwing up.

So I started looking into those lists of things to do in Hungary, and before I make my very own "before I leave" list, these are (some of) the things I already did since I arrived to this gorgeous city:

1- Sneak into an old tenement house downtown and explore how beautiful it is inside

Or, living in one. The Hungarian houses still amaze me after all this time.

2- Take a ride on the cog-wheel train or the Children’s Railway

This one was great! We all decided to go to Normafa and we took the children's railway, obviously leaving on the wrong stop and in a very very foggy day, instead of the expected sunny one. Of course we had a couple of Hungarians telling us the next day "oh but the weather predictions said it was going to be like this". Lives of foreigners in Hungary I guess :) Do I look like I watch the news? Let along the weather forecast. 

3- Watch the sunset view from Corvintető

So, I am sure this happened. Like, 100% sure. Or was it Corvintetto really? Ah well, who cares. Done!

4- Hike to the Erzsébet look-out tower

Did this one a couple of months ago with my Team Leader, Tami, our great walk together, big bonding session. I think that if it wasn't for her I would never have known that was the name of the tower. That was a great day AND the first hot wine of the year!

5- Take a River ride

I was walking with Elian down the road and a woman just approached us with two tickets for the hop on-off bus tour. Of course we wandered around aimessly until it was too late to actually use them. As you would. But finally we took the boat tour on the Danube.

6- Eat strudel up on Normafa hill, the green heart of Budapest

I guess. Well I ate something in Normafa. I hope that counts. It was delicious!

7-  Travel by tram nr. 2 and enjoy the panoramic view

Only like, every single time people visit, because it's beautiful and cheap. Did I say cheap? I meant, for free with the pass. No but really, it's quite a nice view. Totally worth it!

8- Feed the seagulls from Erzsébet bridge

For the amount of time I already spent on that bridge I am sure I somehow fed a big variety of animals.

9- Listen to a contemporary music concert on the stern of A38 boat

Don't know about contemporary but I already went there a couple of times for concerts. Still haven't gone for Random trip but it will definitely be on my list!

10- Drink fröccs (froetsh, a wine & soda mix) 

Ah, fröccs. You conquered me during my diet times.

11- Survey the photos of old-time Budapest, up by the Citadella

Classic Budapest. Of course!

12- Listen to English slam poetry at the Mika Tivadar Mulató

OK, slam what? I only went there for the Open Mic nights. How did I miss this one? But anyways, that's a check on my list.

13- Jog around Margitsziget (St Margaret’s Island)

More like, walking. Really fast. Many times, for a long time. 

14- Play tengo in the Városliget

I hope playing the guitar counts cause that's what I did. More than once.

15- Bathe in the fountain at Margitsziget

Did I? Ah, who knows? Done crazy things around Budapest, check.

16- Read a book on the stairs of the National Museum

Oh come on. Who was the snob who made this list? I mean, I read books practically everywhere in the town.(cof) And anyways, why would I go specifically to the National Museum to sit there and read a book? Screw you, list-maker. I'm gonna cross it out.
17- Listen to the chatter of birds on the terrace of the Italian Institute

Oh for god's sake.
18- Drink an Unicum (a Hungarian speciality, the favourite drink of Franz Joseph I) 

Yes!!! Ok, that was clearly not a good choice. I still remember that night with Alan and not for the best reasons, probably because he had to grab my hair. Last time I ever had it and I am not planning on repeating it. Still, done! yey! (Actually the first time I had Unicum, I was still in Brussels and my sister brought it for me, from Budapest. Funny how things turned out)

19- Take a photo with the mysterious Anonymous, the chronicler of ancient Hungary

OK. I took photos around Budapest with several statues. Put my hand on the belly of the fat man. Etc. I think my job with statues is done!

20- Learn to dance at the Szatyor bár

Well I did try to learn salsa with David, Tiago and Andressa. We witnessed it alltogether, went for it, never came back. I still remember the teachers' pants when he was doing the hips movements. Some things you can never forget I guess. And all those nights in Barrio Latino and Szilvuple must've counted for something.

21- Taste Dobos cake (chocolate cake with hard caramel on the top)

Well I had Dobos cake.Probably with Zita. Ah I had so many cool experiences with Zita! Still my favorite cake is the... Eszterhazy - I don't care how you write it anymore, you knwo what I mean Zita!

22- Do a little night-walking along the Duna promenade

Ah, may I count the nights! Impossible. I had so many great nights just walking along this river. Specially after coming from Holdudvar. Which also says a lot, now doesn't it.

23- Drink a plum pálinka.

The best palinka I ever had, last year, was with Dani. We went out on the week before he left and kept wondering why the hell we didn't talk more. As we always realise when people are leaving... We are sorry we didn't spend more time with them. The second best was this year near Déak. Fancy place, totally worth it. 

24- Taste Túró Rudi, a special Hungarian sweet with cottage cheese

Yesss! All credit going to Zita... Thank you for showing me Túró Rudi. Even though it took me like, one year to try it again... I can say I haven't been eaten a Túró Rudi for 45 days and 4 hours. I am proud. It's been tough. 

25- Take a vitamin C pill: it’s good for a hangover and it’s a Hungarian discovery

It took me some time to understand why there was so much Vitamin C everywhere, and why it seemed like the answer for every single health affliction, but finally: Because it was invented by Hungarians! Like, 75% of every invention of the world apparently... (No, seriously, ignore the sarcasm, check it out, it's unbelieavable how many ideas came straight out of Hungarian minds)
26- Eat soup from a paper cup

Ah, best soups ever on the Buda Side. I this it was called, Levesway ? Anyways, quite good ones. And the sandwiches had funnny times, like, Tuna Turner. Genious.

27- Be afraid underground

Only after watching Kontroll. And after that, like, everyday of my life.

28- Go to the Opera

I will never forget when me and Sylvia went to the Opera together. 3 euros tickets, limited vision to the stage, everyone looking fancy except us, totally not following the story since everything was either in Hungarian or a language I like to call, Screaming Italian. Best time ever!

29- Learn 5 basic words in Hungarian

Ah, easy. Took me only 6 months. Don't make me repeat them.
30- Go to Sziget Festival
Yesss! And, Bonus - Scheduled to play there on the last day of the festival, check! Of course it didn't happen because of the rain. But we were there. On the big boards. Like badasses, Fado of Rum forever! But really, great festival.
31- Visit an Escape Games Room

This one I always recommend to everyone, both times it was great, unforgettable experiences, so much fun!

32- Christmas Market on Vörösmarty Tér
Of course. Every single year!
33- Try to find friendly waiters in a touristic area restaurant
I promise didn't write this one. But yes, I did find. And not only I cried a little bit,  but I also came back the next day with all my friends just to show them it really happened.

So, now it's Budapest 101 checklist - This is going to be a fun ride!