Budapest |
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13 April 2025
Budapest is everything the former imperial capital that I hoped it would be. I've had to accept that I will not be able to see everything that I want to in the five days that I'm here. I saw a lot of the sights on the Danube today running the half marathon this morning. I saw a good portion of the National Museum yesterday during the five hours I spent there. And there are craft brewpubs with dozens of excellent beers (and some weird ones) all over the old city. I thought I might see the ruins of the Roman city Aquincum today (where Marcus Auralius wrote Meditations), but I had a long afternoon nap instead. So I've just enjoyed the hot springs at this hotel I found here by the start/finish line on Margit Island in the middle of the Danube. I still can't believe my luck that it had open rooms when I looked earlier this weekend. Over 31,000 people ran today, and the hotel is not that big. Although I suppose the clientel of this establishment swings in a different direction. I was just referred to as "der junger Mann" on the elevator. Coming up from dinner. And the island is mostly a park, so the hotel restaurant was my only option. Overall, this has been an educational and relaxing vacation, and I imagine I'll be back here again someday.
