Budapest

Posted by Marci on Dec 2, 2010 in | 0 comments

“Get your cameras ready,” the tour guide said as the bus made its way towards the city of Budapest. “As we go over the bridge you should look to your left. There you will see the famous Chain Bridge, the Buda Palace, and the Danube River.” Everyone on the bus moved to the left side, their cameras ready as they snapped pictures through the speckled glass.

The bus made it’s way across the river as the tour guide told us historical tidbits, interrupting her stories frequently with directions on where to aim our cameras for the best shot of an important building. The bus turned corner after corner, all the while I saw the beautiful city of Budapest flying by. Ornate buildings, much like Vienna’s architecture, were seen through a window. “Here is the St. Stephen’s Cathedral.” Could we stop, I thought. “And here is the famous Buda Opera house.” Wait, I want to get off.

Finally, we stopped, but it was to go into a run-down restaurant where we were served the tourist version of overcooked, greasy “authentic” Hungarian food, I’d been convinced to pay extra to eat because I’d been told there were no other choices for food around the area. I sat with the other tour members, who were very content with the tour thus far, and tried to keep my grumbling to myself. How had I convinced myself that a one day tour to Budapest from Vienna would be a great way to see the city.

After our meal, we joined other tour companies as we filed onto buses separated by languages spoken. We were given the second grand tour: a stop at the Hero’s Square where we were given thirty minutes to explore the area and take pictures; a drive past the ornate Parliament building; and then across the Danube to visit Castle Hill’s Fishermen’s Bastion, Labyrinth and Mathias Church where once again we had thirty minutes to explore on our own. Then we were back on the bus and down to the city center.

At this point I was finally set free. I had two hours to explore the city on my own. I returned to St. Stephen’s cathedral and entered it’s quiet sanctuary. I stared at the ornate gold-leaf ceiling without anyone telling me a history lesson. I walked the streets, stopping in tiny wine shops and speaking with the purveyors about which wine to buy as a gift for my hosts back in Vienna. I stopped in candy shops to buy gifts for my friend’s girls. I watched young men skateboard in the parks and took pictures of the fancy cars outside the banks.

I made my way to the Danube and found an ice cream vendor. I sat by the water, watching young lovers flirt and elderly people hold hands as they enjoyed spring’s soft weather. Then it was time to leave. I boarded the bus, said goodbye to the beautiful city and was on my way back to Vienna.

I can now say that I saw Budapest. For many, my trip to the city would’ve been enough. Everyone else on the tour seemed very pleased since this is the way most people experience the world. But for me, it was a vanilla way to visit a place. The city didn’t touch my heart, because it was never given the chance to show its true beauty.

I hope this story will convince you to travel without tour companies guiding your way. For the world is too amazing to be seen from a window of a bus.