Imperial Capitals 5

Day 7 - Budapest City

Today I excuse myself from all company and head for the city solo. I am told that creatives need space to breathe and absorb. I agree and take the opportunity while the rest of the group head for the hills out of the city. The aim is to use as much public transportation as possible, and I do quite well. Tram, bus, metro, e-scooter (my first try), and taxi. All except scooter and taxi is covered by my 24hr pass and costs 2500ft (£5.55). I must say, the Citymapper app has been amazing for navigating both Prague and Budapest. Again, I wander on both tram and metro without a check. The metro is dinky and classy with wood panelling. Staff sit in wooden clad kiosks inside the station. All the stations look the same decor wise.

 

 

My first stop is the fenicular railway. It's all very quiet and I interrupt the cashier browsing on her phone. I buy my ticket and I check, 'up and down'? (On reflection, this seems a stupid question). She understands but you can't rely on being understood here, especially with the older generation. Hungarian is apparently quite unique. The next lady smiles sweetly and obviously expects me to get in the car myself. I do the up and down and collect one or two good snaps, the main purpose of the exercise.

 

Next is a coffee and something to eat stop, as I have skipped breakfast again. I ask for an Americano and am told it will be 10 minutes. Very peculiar. I ask if there is something quicker and fortunately there is. An espresso latte is produced, along with the code for the toilet. Small mercies.

The Museum of Fine Art is crammed with paintings and other pieces and as rain is threatened both by the Met Office and the BBC, I head there. As is my usual wont, I skip round. I have not asked if there are any famous paintings as all the museum attendants look quite mature and I think a conversation would be a challenge. In any case, they are busy nattering with each other, I guess to pass the time. I smile and try to look intelligent being careful not to walk too fast. Very uncouth. The museum is huge and very quiet. The Romanesque Hall is lovely. I try to find a Vermeer (my favourite) without success. This is unsurprising, but I do find a De Hooch (or one of his circle at least). Near enough.

 

Next is a Lime scooter nip to see the Opera House. My first foray into the world of e-scooters and I'm hooked. Very easy to use. There are plenty of cycle lanes in the city, so I feel quite safe. On two occasions I'm told by the app I can't park it and have to move it somewhere more suitable, but I find somewhere quite quickly.

Rail station designed by Gustav Eiffel, photographed. And the Opera House, photographed.

 

Now I retrace my steps to the Ethnographic Museum to see the extraordinary roof garden. There is a sign saying it is closed because of a bad weather forecast, but of course no one pays any attention as it's on a bit of wonky A4 and attached with bits of red sticky tape. The views are nice and I love the architecture.

Lunch is lovely and accompanied by a chat on WhatsApp with friend in Bangkok, along with exploding light bulb which causes quite a stir among the waiters. There is a scattering of customers but I am safely out of the way fortunately. When trying to find the facilities later, I have to use my torch to navigate as the electrics have blown. Torch in hand, I guide a lady to the correct door but am careful not to follow. I'm getting the hang of it. 

I then head to St Margaret's Island in the middle of the Danube. This feels like a seaside resort and is very tranquil with beautiful planting. I'm pleasantly surprised by a wonderful fountain accompanied by Classical hits, everyone sitting round as if a concert was in progress. I expect a round of applause at the end of Bach's Toccata and Fugue, but nothing. Candy floss, balloons and colourful flower beds, it feels like being on England's south coast.

 

I try to get back to the hotel using public transport but fail to find a bus stop clearly marked on Citymapper, so I order a Bolt taxi similar to Uber. All the taxis are bright and yellow, and the drivers are silent which suits me well.

This is Budapest. I'm happy to have seen it but I probably won't be making a special trip back. Had I seen it in a sunny Spring or Autumn, I may have felt quite differently. Still, Vienna and Salzburg to go before the long trek home.