Second Day

Greetings from Budapest! I can't promise to post everyday, but during this next week I'm sure I'll be having lots to share. My first impressions of the city so far have been this: It looks very much like every other European city I've visited during my travels. Old buildings mashed up against new ones, with Renaissance and Baroque influences everywhere. I will have to say that so far, I've felt the safest in Budapest out of them all, which is an encouraging sign for the next four months. Secondly, it rains a lot. I may only have been here for two days, but it hasn't stopped raining. Reka (API Director) says that September is the rainiest month of the year in Hungary and I believe it.

Deák Ferenc Tér (The main square near our apartment)

Oh what fun in the rain!

Onto what we were up to! Today, we officially visited Corvinus!


The building was beautiful and modern and I felt very fancy walking in. I can't believe I get to have class here every day. I'll make sure to get some better photos, but this is what I've got for now.


It's all very sleek, and I don't quite feel qualified to be here :)



After lunch, (Duck and Au Gratin Potatoes with mushroom sauce) we had a walking guided tour through the city. Unfortunately due to the rain it got cut short, but we got to see the famous Basilica close to my apartment. The inside was probably one of the most beautiful I've seen in Europe so far. The pictures don't do it justice. They also hold English masses, which I'm totally excited to check out at some point.



Fun fact for the day, this Basilica's major highlight is that this is where they keep the right hand of the first king of Hungary, King Stephen. And when I say they keep the right hand, I mean it literally. Short history lesson: This hand is the only piece of the king that had mummified when the rest of the body had decomposed. Taking this as a miracle, the people added it to the relics of the Roman Catholic Church and now it is on display for everyone to enjoy. Because who doesn't love a good mummified hand?


And of course, what trip would be complete without a bookstore?


 What we actually came to visit was the ornate cafe at the top, which is one of Reka's and the tour guide's favorites.

 And the rain. Seriously. I was running away from the rain. Or so I thought...


 Lot's done today! Some of us may be going out later to check out the city, but we'll see how the weather's doing. Until tomorrow, viszlát!
      -Natalie

Comments

  1. jgemstechSeptember 1, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    What a great day. Beautiful biildings.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownSeptember 2, 2014 at 11:31 PM

    I'm glad to see your excited about your trip so far. I assume you've gotten past the anxiety of going on this wild adventure.

    ReplyDelete

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