STUDY ABROAD_Poland: Budapest
One of the great things about studying abroad is that even though you’re going to one place, it’s not likely that you will stay in that place the entire time. The way our curriculum worked out this semester, we were in Poland for less than a week before we left on a nine day journey, visiting six cities in Central Europe.
Fun fact of the day: it takes ten hours for a bus to travel from Krakow, Poland to Budapest, Hungary.
While you might see that as a great opportunity to catch up on much-needed rest – after all, the time change from the US to Poland is pretty hefty and takes some time to get used to – I saw it as a way to learn more about the areas we were traveling through (and I also slept, because that time change is rough at first).
Driving through the Polish, Slovakian, and Hungarian countryside was eye-opening. The cities we passed through were not unlike our own US cities, although the housing was different. Large apartment buildings surrounded the city, some a drab gray and others painted bright pastel colors. These eventually gave way to small areas of European suburbia, where small houses occupied large plots of land, accompanied by small backyard gardens. Some of the outlying areas had tiny houses jumbled onto narrow streets, but most of the housing in each city consisted of apartment buildings. Eventually, though, it all faded into farmland, which often resembled farms in the US. Though the housing methodology might be different, Central Europe feels surprisingly familiar when viewed through bus windows.
We were all excited to go to Budapest and see what had once been two cities built close together and separated by the Danube River. Buda on the western bank, and Pest on the east; the two cities did not join until 1873, when they formed what we now know as Budapest. Our hotel was on the east bank of the river, in Pest, and we split our time equally between both sides of the river.
We arrived in the city in the late afternoon, and explored the oldest portions first, trekking around Mathias Church, Buda Castle, and what felt like hundreds of narrow shop-lined streets. The city is a maze of tangled streets and unique shops. The light-colored stone and plaster buildings look like backdrop for a movie (which they have been, including The Grand Budapest Hotel, Transporter 3, Pillars of the Earth, and A Good Day to Die Hard, just to name a few), especially at night, when uplighting showcases their features and history. Even dinner felt a little movie-like, as a group of us ate in a small restaurant with little space between the cramped tables and rickety chairs. Definitely step onto the side-streets, as they often have the neatest restaurants. While we’re on the subject of food, I recommend trying Hungarian Goulash. It’s a staple at just about every restaurant because it has a strong regional history, and also because tourists love it.
The following morning was probably the most fun of all the time spent in the city. While getting up early and trekking through the drizzle is probably not most people’s idea of a fun time, I highly recommend it anyway. I spent almost two hours before breakfast walking around and taking photos along the Danube River, which allowed me to explore the city in a way guided tours cannot. Plus, I got to watch the sun rise over the neatly-ordered expanses of architecture and history, and I was able to study many buildings that I had previously only seen at night.
After breakfast, a group of us climbed the tallest hill and took photos of the city below us. There’s a citadel at the top of the hill, and I encourage visitors to make the steep climb because the fortification itself is impressive and the views are absolutely breath-taking! The trail to the top winds through a small forest, and there’s an impressive statue halfway up that makes a great stopping point, and also gives an expansive view of the river.
Of course, all good things must come to an end, and we eventually boarded our bus once more and continued on our journey. While this ride would also be long (roughly eight hours), we eventually found ourselves in Venice, so the drive was absolutely worthwhile. But that’s a story for another day.
Allison’s Recommendations for Budapest:
Buda Castle - You don’t even have to go inside to enjoy its intricacies. You will, however, have to climb a hill, so wear shoes with good support. Or you could take a cable car up the hill, if you don’t mind heights and paying a little money.
Hungarian Parliament Building – Its dome and spires are pictured on just about every postcard, so it’s worth seeing in person. Go at night, too, and watch the play of shadows on its intricately layered façade. If you’re lucky, the fountains in its plaza will be running, and will provide a lovely ambiance.
Mathias Church – A fun visit near Buda Castle, with fantastic roof tiling.
Saint Stephen’s Basilica – Impressive history packed into a stunning mass of stone.
Fisherman’s Bastion – At Buda Castle as well, and has great views of the city. Its little alcoves and framed views remind me of fairy tale architecture.
Liberty Bridge – Walk across it (more than once, preferably), as it crosses the Danube and gives fantastic views of both riverbanks. If you love taking photos, this is perfect for you. Watch out for bikers, though, as they share the sidewalk and tend to whiz by.
Did I mention the Goulash? There are many fantastic local foods worth trying, but this was my favorite. If you love meat and potatoes, this is the cuisine for you.
The area is known for its beer, and the variety is astounding. Try at least one.
If beer isn’t your thing, sample some hot wine (red is preferable). It tastes kind of like cider, with a hint of cinnamon, and it’s fantastic.
Go explore. Seriously, just walk around and see what's out there. There's so much to discover that you can't go wrong.