...The Adventures of a Little Mixed Girl ...: Travel Edition: Budapest, Hungary

3:30 AM: Wake up time to start our journey to Budapest, Hungary. Due to my club's success last season, this year will be LP Kangasala's first EuroCup appearance in the Challenge Cup division. Honestly, that meant nothing to me besides a new country and another game. Euro league is still extremely new to me but I have learned that there are many different leagues, championships and tournaments going on that I can't keep them all straight. Instead, I live week-to-week focusing on my games and my games alone. Anyway, the trip to Budapest started very early since we had to drive two hours to Helsinki to board our plane. Tampere, the larger city nearby, has an airport but most international flight connect through Helsinki anyway. Once we arrived in Budapest a feeling of satisfaction settled over me as I mentally checked another city off of my Pinterest travel board -- don't judge me. My first impression of Budapest was something along the lines of, "Damn, they could really use a pressure washer around here". The majority of the city, outside the center and area along and surrounding the iconic Danube River, had heavy lasting impressions of past wars and the communist influence; heavy moldings on towering, ominous buildings, fifthly concrete that seemed as though it could tell stories of turmoil and civil strife and unkempt buildings. It probably didn't help that we arrived on a terribly gray, rainy day.

HISTORY FACT: For those of you who don't know, Budapest was actually two different cities until their unification in 1873. Hilly, residential Buda on the West bank and the more industrial, flatter Pest on the East bank are divided by the Danube River and linked together by the well-known Chain Bridge, Budapest's first permanent bridge.

 Language: Hungarian

Currency: Forint. However, due to the popularity of the city for tourist many stores accepts major credit cards.

Over the course of the three days during our stay, not much time was spent in the center where most travelers visit and rave about the cities beauty. We stayed on the outskirts of the city and were able to get a better feel of the city and its' people. For one, Hungarians LOVE Burger King. There seemed to be one of every street, every corner and as an American missing American "delicacies" -- said no one ever about American fast-food chains -- you already know I HAD to give it a try, especially after we were served duck -- yes, DUCK -- for dinner. I wasn't having it so I went for the next best option in my mind. Similar to Finland, Hungary has some of the best bakeries I've ever seen. I made sure to try Hungarian favorites and fall off my clean eating path to expand my taste buds horizons. Besides the duck incident, Hungary also has beautiful restaurants and yummy eats for a foodie such as myself. Two we visited, Pastrami and Symbol Budapest, provided generous portion sizes and yummy desserts. I certainly didn't go hungry…in Hungary. haha I had to.

On our last day in Budapest we were able to do some sightseeing. A friend of mine, who played at Florida State plays for the team we played against during our match, was able to meet up with my teammates and myself to explore. Once off the subway and into Budapest's center, I was able to see what all the hype was about.

HISTORY FACT: Budapest Metro rapid transit system is the second oldest electrified unground railway system in the world.

Extremely tall, gorgeously molded buildings loomed over the centers walkways. It fell right into place with a typical European city and began to realize why Budapest was named one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The best part of Budapest was the castles lining the Danube River. By simply walking along the river you can see some of the most beautiful buildings Europe has to offer. But enough of me blabbering, below are a few shots from my trip.

Enjoy!