Life as a trumpet student: Prepare for excitement overload in 3, 2, 1...

Budapest is AMAZING!

Seriously, just look at it!
More photos at end.

So I arrived on Tuesday evening and first impressions were average, and got slightly worse when I ended up buying tomato purée instead of pasta sauce and sour cream instead of natural yoghurt. Note to anyone going abroad; learn food words in the foreign language or take a dictionary to avoid disappointment!

Dinner disasters aside, Wednesday is when it all really began with tourist mode switched on; map and camera at the ready! Naturally, the Yorkshire in me decided to head towards greenery first so I walked up to the city park - Városliget - to enjoy the weather a bit (clear blue skies and up to 30 degree heat so far). Being greeted by lovely fountains was wonderful but I was amazed by Vajdahunyad Castle and it's fairy tale-like qualities. An absolute gem. I also had the delight of a short Bach organ concert in the chapel at lunchtime!
I somehow managed to spend just about all day in and around the park, seeing other famous tourist attractions such as Heroes' square and spotted the zoo (but I'm saving that for a day trip with friends).

Shameless selfie

Day 2 was more of the old one foot in front of the other because Budapest is a relatively small city (compared to London anyway) so it's possible to walk to most places from where I'm staying! I don't think I really had a plan in mind except to eventually end up at the river Danube, so I walked A LOT. It was really great to explore and I just loved seeing all the amazing architecture around the city! I found the main Liszt Academy building which is pretty incredible, the Opera house, walked through the Jewish district, stopped off to dip my feet in the fountains at Erzsébet tér - Elizabeth Square - then made it to the river and where the Parliament building is! Ok, so I know Westminster is on the river and looks quite grand but when you compare it to Budapest, well... I've still yet to see it at night, but I cannot wait.

So Friday was basically more touristy stuff too, BUT I found a Tesco on my way home and managed to buy some yoghurt, hooray! Yes, I now have a list of essentials translated in my handbag, classic Brit.

I had a bit more of a rest on Saturday and then found a huuuuge shopping centre near my flat so spent some time there and was amazed by the number of familiar shops I found! Oh I also had my first "Brexit" comment - Hungarian forints used to be over 400 to the pound, now they're 330. Let's not dwell on that slight negative ay? To be fair, both numbers aren't the easiest exchange rate to work with!

Sunday (today) was a great day and I am now super ready to get enrolled tomorrow and get stuck into studying. I had a great time at Danube International Church and even met someone who is also going to the Liszt Academy! Lunch in a Greek restaurant, great conversations and a beautiful walk home through Budapest is more than I can ask for.

Lots of touristy photos for your amusement (check out the giraffe hedges) and I will report back next week!
Apologies for all the exclamation marks, you were warned of excitement.

S x