One week in Budapest

This week we perfected the Home Week™. We had 8 wonderful days in Budapest where we felt like we truly were "just living". Sure, there was sightseeing, of course: boat tour on the Danube, visit to the opera house, wandering around a museum. But more rare (for us) in fact were the newfound Home Week traditions: cooking in our little apartment, going on morning walks, joining a gym, being a "regular" at a place. I mean, Alix went to the dentist. I bought a guitar because I knew we'd be on the ground for a couple weeks.  Are we roosting? Maybe. But whatever this is, it feels good.

Budapest is full of contrasts. Geographically, with the bohemian and bustling Pest on one side of the river, where we stayed and shopped and ate and drank, opposite the hilly and posh Buda on the other, where we strolled through centuries-old castles and cellars and cobblestones. Culturally, with a city proud of its tradition yet self-aware of its politically turbulent past. Artistically, with graffiti-lined alleyways and "ruin bars" in dilapidated WWII buildings, across the street from a recently redesigned promenade and a new wine bar that just opened up. The mishmash of everything creates a place that seemingly offers something for everyone. 

We think back on our time here as one of the best new cities we've visited that we could picture ourselves staying long term.