14. Budapest
There and Back Again… an Interrailing Story
8 cities, 6 countries, 4 weeks, 2 rainbows, 1 camera
PART ONE — Budapest
June 11th, 2018
Despite the nap the day before we treated ourselves to a mini lie-in - what? we’re students. Opting for a relaxing park day I made us some breakfast - I slaved all day over those cocoa pops - while Meg made us a picnic lunch and we got ready for the day.
The first stop on our Budapest adventure was of course the well-known pharmacy - Bobert needed some TLC. We followed that big, glowing green cross like some sort of heavenly sign and hunted down some Bobert remedies.
Bobert tended too, we headed to a park behind the apartment block that looked good on google maps. Kids listen up, sometimes… the internet lies!!! The park that looked oh so lovely on the inter webs ended up being not so lovely in the real world. Too many paths stopped proper grass age and a lack of people using it as an actual park had us seriously questioning the legality of park lying in Budapest - what? Hungarians might just have something against grass, stranger things have happened.
We managed some sitting for all of 30 seconds before deciding we ain’t about this life. Deciding to tentatively put our trust back in google, we headed off in the direction of Margaret’s Island, a decision that ended up being on of our best (spoiler alert).
Just up the street, past 3 restaurants, 1 banks, 2 McDonalds and 1 mini golf course lays Margaret’s Bridge that aptly connects Buda to Pest and veer off to Margaret’s Island.
Now, for those of you who haven’t been to Margaret’s Island, just imagine Disneyland on speed and made of grass. Walking into the massive island, you’re greeted by a bus stop and a map of the island because the park is just that big.
First stop was of course the toilet, I’m not pointing fingers but the bladder has a Bobert. But, before we could even get there you find yourself at a big-ass roundabout which is surrounded by people selling pedal carts of various jazziness, because this is an island made for wizzing around.
Bladders emptied, we set up camp in a cute patch of grass nestled in some bushes, under a tree and opposite a big ole fountain. Now, remember how I called this place Disneyland on speed, well apparently, in Budapest the fountains sing. On the hour, every hour, for 15 minutes the fountains become a musical water show set to music from everything from Rolling Stones to Moana soundtrack to Dua Lipa. Budapest Disney be wild.
Time flew by as we lay on the grass and had our picnic. The musical show and general park and fountain-ness proved to be a wonderful backdrop to writing and reading. I can honestly say I have never had a more relaxing or enjoyable time - you can’t go wrong with a good park, especially one complete with a musical fountain.
The magical adventure continued as we said adieu to our picnic spot and continued our trek through Margaret’s Island. Just behind a bank of flower beds and a line of sunbeams is a big ole ‘Budapest’ sign - just in case anyone forgets where they are. Like the proper travelling tourists we are, we took a photoshoot worth of pictures in front of the sign so everyone knows exactly where we went on our travels.
The rest of the day was a wide assortment of various things that Margaret’s Island has to offer - I still don’t know who Margaret is, but I would like to thank her for her great taste in Islands. Passing by a BnB and a zoo, because what park is complete without a zoo enclosure just for chickens - we continued the trick to the other side.
Margaret’s Island ends as most parks do; at a massive hotel overlooking a great water tower. With thoughts of ‘ah what an Island’ we headed back down via the other side. Stopping for ice cream and a quick piss in a bush - DofE trekking expeditions have prepared me well - we walked past a big pool and some old ruined - again, this is an island and a half - before once again finding ourselves at the magical musical fountain.
Seeing that the fountain was lit up all colourful we sat and waited for the next musical number. It was a wonderful experience and a very fitting end to such a lovely day.
— MiraSophia
