Love Letters to Budapest

My lovely Budapest,

You're wonderful.  Forget East meets West.  You're Past meets Present & Future.  I love your architecture... that castle on the hill, the neo-Gothic panoramic terrace, all framed by the river that slowly caresses your curves, and all the lovely thermal spas that dot your landscape like beauty marks!  *sigh*  One afternoon with you and I'm in paradise- I can explore your creative nature (I didn't realize what musical talent you had!) while sipping Starbucks, go spelunking into the caverns of your soul, and wind through the dark labyrinth of your underground past.  I know you have a bit of a reputation, let's be honest... but it's cool.  Who doesn't love a party every once in a while?  Too bad I'm just too tired to hang.  I hope that's OK.

Love,
N

Darling B,

Best date ever!  Caving was so much fun!!!  I still can't believe it- the holes we crawled through, the belly slides between rock walls, the huge caverns in between!  I didn't know you had it in you!  I could barely even fit my helmet through some of those spaces.  The Sandwich of Death was the best part though- 12 meters of wiggling on your belly upwards to the tiny hole exit.  Not even enough clearance for ANY other movement other than wiggling.  My boobs barely fit through- do you remember??  The people behind me had to wait a few minutes for me to find a section just one inch wider that would accommodate my ribcage + boobage.  Hahaha.  No wonder half the groups detour around it.  Totally claustrophobia inducing and awesome!

XOXO,
N

about to crawl into a hole

one of the crawlspaces... the 'Sandwich of Death' was about half as high

Dearest Budapest,

I've been thinking these past few days, and... well, I just gotta get this out there.  There are just these tiny issues that have been bothering me a little.  Like my inability to decipher enough Hungarian to buy a bottle of flat water.  I know you told me that the water bottles are color coded, but it was a lie!  I've tried over 5 brands!  You know I can't drink warm fizzy water.  And then that time when I went exploring the labyrinths underneath the castle, with only an oil lantern for light?  I know I went after 6pm on purpose, when I knew they turned the lights off, but WHY did you let that 10 year old kid keep keep jumping out of dark corners trying to scare his sister??  I was getting scared too!  Weren't all the scary statues, sound effects, freaky art and lack of light enough?  If it hadn't been a labyrinth, I would have run!  You know that I'm still scared from that night in Transylvania!

I know you didn't do it on purpose.  I still love you.  That day at the thermal baths was amazing- we really have to do it again sometime!

Kisses,
N

my lantern and one of the freaky statues... see how much light my lantern gives off?  barely any!!

outdoor area of one of the thermal baths

Dear Budapest,

I don't know what to say.  It's been great.  You're wonderful- really.  I just, you know... I don't feel like I can commit to you right now.  It's not the people coming in at 5am in the morning at the hostel, or the gassy water... I just have to go.  Please understand.  It's not you- it's me.

Stay beautiful.  I'll think of you always.

Best wishes,
N