Budapest: But for you I'd leave it all

Arriving to Budapest from Vienna was interesting.

The bus we got was so old! It was like Soviet Union old.

There was also a guy on the bus who did not like the fact that there were no seatbelts. So he decides he'll sit right beside the bus driver.... this is were the second bus driver sits. So obviously theres a big conflict between the primary bus driver (who actually speaks no English and all he can say is "no"). So people on the bus are getting really frustrated, as we were running late already, now there's this asshole who doesn't like the fact that he can't sit up in the front with a seatbelt. So one American on the bus makes a valid argument to the guy: "if you wanted to be safe and with seat belts why take the cheapest bus! Take the train!" Good job American guy. So the seatbelt guy see's the error of his way and finally takes a seat elsewhere.

Den den and I then make friends with the bus driver as we were the only Russian speaking people on the bus, and turns out the driver could only speak Hungarian, and a bit of Russian.

After the bumpiest bus ride we finally made it to scolding hot Budapest!

After settling into our cozy hostel we ended up exploring the far end of Pest.
We went over to the city park, which happened to be way away form the center, where there was also a castle. We did this first to try and get explore all of Budapest in 3 days, our logic here was start at the edge and work out way across.

The Buda side

The Pest side

The several days that we spent in Budapest was extremely hot...

But even so, we ended up climbing tons of stairs to get nice views. We mostly explored Budapest with our "free walking tour" guide (again I really recommend doing these! The guides are so enthusiastic!) 

After the tour we thought it would be a good idea to climb a mountain...

This is the mountain we climbed, in the hot sun. Once you get to the top there isn't much shade (or if there was there'd be tons of people in that tiny area of relief), so we only spent about 5 minutes at the top. 

Trying to get the side of Buda at night

Actually succeeding. 

Unfortunately there isn't much else I can say about Budapest. On our last night there, I got some horrible family news and spent the rest of the evening in our hostel crying until my eyes ran dry. Just a reminder to everyone, do not leave trips to see your family so late in your life, you never know when would be the last time you see them. 

Unfortunately looking back on this post, it makes me so sad.... 12 years, and all I had was 9 days left until I was home. 

Krakow next.