Hello kind reader. Welcome Back. When last we spoke, I had arrived in a foreign land in a sleep-deprived state unsure of exactly where I was and who I would become. Luckily, the tide has turned in my favor as the other members of my program joined me in our historic dormitory and we collectively ventured out in ever expanding concentric circles to see and be seen. There is a nearby shopping mall containing within it boutiques, a convenience store, and a food court among other life sustaining necessities. We found groceries for amazingly little, praised the American economy, and trekked back with more confidence in our strides.
Our next adventure took us north, into the hills. My new friends and I were not fleeing an unseen foe, but rather we were pursuing the ideal vantage point from which to view the expansive metropolis. Starting from the river Danube (cue Strauss’ waltz), we climbed Gellért Hill to the Citadella. This area has been used for military advantage several times throughout history because of its height and fortification. We, too, fell prey to the difficulty of surmounting the acclivity, but were richly rewarded with the panoramic view and ice cream found thereof. It is no wonder the 19th century stone fortress was useful as the Kingdom of Hungary fought for sovereignty form the Austrian Empire; from the top, one can oversee both sides of the city and down the river in both directions. The journey down was easier than the ascent, but by then everyone was ready for a mid-afternoon fortification of his or her own.
Our final adventure of this particular day challenged us to find a suitable, exciting, yet economical evening meal. In my guidebook reading, I stumbled upon the description of a Communist pizzeria. Needless to say, my interest was piqued. I knew not what such an establishment consisted of, though I predicted Cold War Era memorabilia and equal servings of savory pie for all. I carefully mapped the location of this restaurant and pitched the idea to my comrades, but misunderestimated the distance. After an hour on foot, it was clearly time for a plan revision. More a democrat than a dictator, I asked for the collective consensus and the decision reached was to look for a workable alternative. We climbed the second hill of the day (but this time by staircase) to a well-lit area overlooking the Royal Palace. There, we came upon a small outdoor café specializing in none other than pizza. Italian dinner in Hungary was delicious, but we agreed we would have to check out the Communist Restaurant bloc in the near future. As we ambled toward home, we encountered a festival with Jazz music. The spirit was contagious and we stayed to soak in the cosmopolitan scene. I am pleased with how resilient and flexible my fellows were with this day of unpredictable adventure. On the whole, the day stands as a harbinger of excitement to come. Until my next adventure, fond reader!
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