Magyarország
23
Budapest trough my eyes - report
I am back to Budapest and there is many things I would like to say, for example what I noticed changed in the city since I was there for long last time.
-city is just extremely grandiose and impressive, no matter how long you lived there or how many times you visited. There are very few European capitals that are as majestic as Budapest is. I can think only of Istanbul which is not even fully European. You heard me, even Paris and London do not have such grandeur Budapest does (combination of gigantic inner city filled with architectural landmarks and huge avenues, public parks, plus the mighty Danube and powerful castle on the hills overlooking the city). I never get used to metropolis feeling of Budapest, and it always leaves me stunned. Very similar vibe to New York in that.
-city changed for the worse during covid crisis. Many shops I knew closed and many streets look shitty and half deserted. City is dirtier than I even remembered, filled with filth (keep in mind it is popular party destination for western Euros) and many homeless or mentally ill people. They were always there but now they are more than before and it is a very nasty sight. Budapest is central European capital with biggest problem of homeless and ill on the streets, seems even new leftist major cant fix that.
-lot of electric cars around (they are recognized by green license plates)
-prices have gone up quite a bit, it is certainly not a cheap budget destination anymore (at least not for non western Euros)
-public transportation is a chaos (metro lines under reconstruction etc), and it has been like that for several years. It is awesome they are modernizing the lines, but fuuck it is annoying to take packed replacement buses instead. This is more of my rant because our line no.3 is currently under reconstruction. Otherwise again I need to stress how well organized, efficient and diverse Budapest public transportation is. It will be even better when reconstructions are done.
-it is full with Ukrainians. I have mixed feelings about that. I cried while seeing trains full with women and children arrive at railway station but on the other hand you see rich fucks (men included) with Ferarris and Bugattis and Ukrainian plates parading around. I have a feeling better off Ukrainians fled the country and left the poor and less fortunate to defend it.
-Police brutality. I have seen cops lifting some hobos and slamming them against the wall in one metro station, also a big cop strangling some colored guy in a judo submission just like that, and it was quite disturbing to see
-Budapest population is very cultured. You can see people of all ages reading books on trains, in trains or buses, in parks and cafees. Simply lovely. I do not need to mention how much cultural offerings this city has...
-weather shocked me. Few days ago it was so hot and without air I felt I will pass out. Today way chilly and windy and we wore winter hats. Budapest has real four season climate and weather changes fast. Similar to American midwest. I also never witnessed such strong and sudden lighting storms in my own country.
-most important thing I noticed: this city is less white than ever before and it is not particularly white city at all. Chinese are everywhere. Budapest has biggest Chinese population in central Europe. There are also Arabs, Turks, Indians and Pakis/Bengalis, and of course many Gypsies and Jews (including orthodox Jews). White expats of all nations and age groups. It was always multi cultural city and it is part of its charm and energy, but now it has more non Hungarians than ever before. Btw, rich non Euros can buy residency bonds and move there, which many Chinese did for example. You can see really many weird phenotypes in Pest, many look weird and you would not take them for Hungarians but many are locals for a long time. Buda is different, more white.
To sum up, this city is like no other. It is alive 24-7 and has a legendary nightlife and culture. It is very liberal, young and decadent city with a party soul. But at the same time you can feel its history and wounds (20th century for example was extremely rough on it). All other central European capitals pale in comparison with Budapest. Prague may be prettier, Vienna classier, Ljubljana cuter etc....but Budapest is simply in a league of its own. It is incredibly exciting place. If you are bored in Budapest, you are beyond hope.
How would I describe Budapest? Magnificent and unforgettable. Imperfect city, often filthy as fuck, unkept, disgusting (it is simply too large to maintain properly, many foreigners have no idea how giant the downtown is) - may facades are falling apart -but on the other hand it is grandiose as fuck. There you will see best and most luxurious architecture of late 19th and early 20th century Europe. You will feel what Hungary once was - country much larger and quite influential. You will feel its wounds of many past wars and regimes, you will feel it was once among leading cities in the world and it may be once again.
It is becoming a global city - again.
Food is amazing. No further comments needed.
Buda is really very nice. Most of my comments are about Pest, since we are in Pest. And btw, northern Pest here we are is extremely underrated-100 times better than chaotic downtown. And I prefer it too Buda as well since I dislike hills.
but even there I am reminded how distances are huge in the city - crossing the Danube to Margaret Island which is a stone throw away tires one as hell. Everything is too big and not in a walking distance. Or I am getting old.
Budapest - strange mix of splendor and decay. Incredibly impressive and extravagant, but also raw and gritty. City with a beating pulse, made for adventures. You either love it and hate it, often both at the same time. It certainly evokes many strong feelings.
Seedy and dangerous often, but oh so sexy and remarkable. City with a soul and charisma which will leave none cold. Also it has strange southern side to it, with a busy street life and chaos completely different to typical beautiful but sterile and sadly boring central Euro capitals.
I love this city. But I am not sure do I want to live in it in the future. Likely no. But if somebody wants to see essence of Europe, Budapest should be near the top of the list.
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Originally Posted by Russki
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