“You may now high five the bride,” the “minister” said as the ceremony concluded.
The weather that day was odd. Rained early in the morning, sunny until 1, then rain again. Luckily it stopped and held out long enough for the ceremony. A ceremony unlike anything I’ve seen before. Ikea curtains held down with champagne for seats. Readings from Ben Folds and Richard Dawkins celebrating their luck at being alive and having found each other. A ceremonial slingshot fired across the park. Champagne glasses left unused as more efficient methods won out.
A bus ride around the city taking us to the top of the hill overlooking the city. Dinner at an amazing restaurant overlooking the see. Miramar. Sea view. Ashley and Thom dancing like only Ashley and Thom can. Losing a stepping battle to a Brit dancing Flamenco. Utter silliness on the dancefloor as no one present really knows how to dance to Bring it On Home.
Afterparty at the flat.
After after party at the club.
Seven AM.
This will be a quick one so I can get to more recent events. One day in Budapest I went out to Memento Park where many of the old Communist statues that used to stand in the streets of Budapest now stand as a memorial to those that suffered under communism.
After that, I went to the Terror Museum in the house where the Nazi and Communist secret police were originally headquartered. In the basement they have reconstructed cells much like their political prisoners would be held in.
That’s a lot of Communism for one day, but definitely gave me some strong insight into the history of Hungary.
(Also, look at the previous post, I’ve added some new photos there)
I was finally able to get my Budapest pictures uploaded. I’ll write more about that and the amazing wedding in Barcelona later when I’m not having to type on a non-english keyboard. Instead of QWERTY, it’s AZERTY, M is where the semicolon should be, etc.
Currently location: Marrakesh. Arrival last night was one of the scarier experiences of my life, but we made it to the riad safely.
Enjoy the photos:
At first I suspected it was simply because I was experiencing the first days of spring, but Jenny has since corroborated that it is a normal pastime, but if there’s anything the Budapestians love to do, it’s make out. Walking down the street, you can’t avoid seeing some couple sitting on a bench, usually the girl on the guys lap, completely engrossed in each other swapping some spit. Waiting for the bus with some time to kill, what do they do? make out. Lunch break: go to the park and make out. Sitting on the metro: make out. Outside of the VMAs—never mind, that’s something else. Not since the high school hallways have I seen this amount of PDA.
It could probably make a cool photo series, but I feel slightly uncomfortable snapping pics while a couple goes to town on each others’ tonsils. (To be fair, it’s not disgusting in the slobber all over the place eating face kind of way, it’s always very affectionate and tender. But every time I see it I do throw up in my mouth a little—but that could just be the jealousy.)
Update 1: On the walk from the park where I originally drafted this to the tram I counted 11 couples making out.
Update 2: I just discovered that Hungary recently broke the world record for “synchronized snogging” with over 6000 couples kissing at once in Budapest. See the video.
Very cheap: total spent, including lodging, less than $50/day. Definitely helps when every day is $1 beer night
Recommendations:
- Reduta Jazz Club
- Prague Castle
- Sir Toby’s hostel (very clean, wonderful staff, great people, and an awesome pub in the basement)
- Kozel Beer (both the dark and light)
- “Eiffel Tower” – You don’t have to pay the $2.50 fee to go to the top, but definitely walk to the top of the hill. If you’re into that kind of thing, there’s a really cool stations of the cross at the top.
- Street Meat: get the Kolbasa
