My heart is bursting with joy, this indescribable, ridiculously consuming joy. I’ve seen things, incredible things. I’ve lived years in months, I’ve made friends from all over the world. I lived the first quarter of my life conventionally, I listened in school, I believed that was it, that was life. But it’s a lie. Money is just paper, sadly we need it, but I don’t want to let it control my life. I don’t want to spend my days passing the hours, watching the clock, eating timed meals, seeing beautiful places on a box from a comfortable couch. Out here there are mountains, there are oceans, there is live music in dingy bars, there are people with hearts of gold. Dancing on these mountains, swimming in these oceans, feeling the music in your bones, laughing until you cry with strangers who will soon become friends, this is life.
Lately I find myself thinking whats next? Where in the world do I want to go? Who do I want to be? What do I want to do with my life? The possibilities are endless. And it’s now that I realise to be rich is to have choice. I am living a blank slate. No expectations, no home, no job, no mortgage, dept or pressure. I can truly do anything my heart desires. It’s liberating and terrifying in the most extraordinary way. Sometimes life is easier when there is someone telling you what to do. Get up now, go here now, work this job, have this baby, buy this house. I have no voice but instead there is an infinity of choice stretched out before me. I can see the different roads of my life stretching out and twisting in different directions. Choose this path or that path, they all lead to completely different destinations. Now there are mostly simple choices, like where will I sleep next week? What train to what country do I want to catch?
This life isn’t for everyone. Choice can drive you crazy. Wonderfully, wonderfully crazy.
I write these words in my little notebook as the countryside flashes by on the train to Budapest, Hungary.
Our home for these three weeks is a little Airbnb apartment in the jewish quarter of Budapest. It’s got a black and white checkered kitchen floor and a sweet little balcony with a beautiful view of the street below. After a short recovery from our journey we hit the streets to see what Hungary has to offer. We were charmed instantly by the lively atmosphere and beautifully coloured buildings. Nestled between are ruin bars, which are out in the open air or homed in ruined old buildings, these bars are just our kind of place to get a drink. Grungey, grimy and filled with character.
We had three weeks booked to experience Budapest and luckily so because unfortunately Martin was very sick for the first week, and I fell ill for the second. Meaning we spent lots of days rugged up in bed watching tv shows or slowly venturing out to see the streets for short periods of time. It’s inevitable when you’re travelling that you’ll get sick, sharing small spaces in transit with strangers is a disaster waiting to happen. I don’t like to slow down, but if there was anywhere that was lovely to take a rest, it’s the beautiful city of Budapest. Here are some pictures from our aimless wandering.
Margaret Island. An incredibly beautiful island in the middle of the Danube in central Budapest. We spent one very warm, sunny afternoon exploring this lush oasis. Such beautiful scenery and good vibes with people having picnics, playing guitar, throwing a frisbee or eating Langos (delicious traditional hunagrian street food!).
Szimpla is the third most popular bar in the world. By night it’s a wonderland of lights, sculptures, installations and cocktails. But on a Sunday morning a cute little famers market occupies the ruin bar. I dragged myself there on our first Sunday morning, ignoring my sore throat and tired body. On arrival I was greeted by stalls selling fresh produce, homemade jams and cheese, freshly squeezed lemon juice and many happy faces. I spent an hour exploring and left buying two delicious pastries, (one for me and one to take home to poor sick Martin).
With every new city I visit I think it’s streets are my new favourite. Budapest is no exception, it’s the perfect mix of gritty Berlin and charming Prague. It’s got just enough street art and plenty of character in it’s stunning facades. There are vintage shops mixed with little convenience stores, hummus bars and sweet little cafes. It’s the kind of place you can wander for hours and fall inlove at every turn, especially when you slow down to see the little things. The patterned tiles, the curve of a door way, the bike resting upon the tired building. I took thousands of pictures of Budapest and here is just a handful of my favourites.
Christine
I was in Budapest in early spring and really enjoyed my time. Wish I can return someday during summertime, I guess the city is so much more alive during that time.
Claire Alice Young
It was very alive! And it was only just the very beginning of Summer. But with the warmer weather brings crazy crowds 😉 So sometimes it’s nice visiting in the off peak times (: xx
Kimi
How magnificent! Your words at the beginning of this post really resonate with me. Life is most exciting when we challenge the status quo.
I love following your journey, it is magical and deeply inspiring. Thank you x
kathi
oh my god, i love these pictures of beautiful budapest! i’ve been there two weeks ago and instantly fell in love with this beautiful, beautiful city. funny that we photographed almost the same motives!
i’m so lucky that i found your blog, you are such an inspiration. as a native european, it’s fascinating to see how people coming outside from europe explore this little but manifold continent. if you’re planning to do a stop in cologne, germany, let me know! we’d have a place for you and your love in our flat and i’m sure the both of you would love cologne, everyone does!
i’ve never been outside of europe and i so much want to travel the world. i don’t want to end up like these persons who only see beautiful places in a box from their couch.
would you tell me whether it is kiraly utca where your apartment was located? looks like that.
love, kathi
Lita Ludji
What I like the most about your blog and also the reason why I long for every new posting is you post something that people can learn from. Maybe I am one of those who are “seeing beautiful places on a box from a comfortable couch” now. Oh I wish I could meet you in real life and have real conversation with you. Reading your blog makes me more determined than ever before. I am so thankful to find this little space of yours. Keep writing, taking pictures, and inspiring others.
Love, Lita.
Carly and Moth
Ohh, these photos are so beautiful, I cannot imagine the sights and senses in person! I don’t mean to be nosy or anything, but I am genuinely curious as to how you make it work, to be able to travel around the world without a job! Have you written any posts like that, explaining it a little bit more in depth? I’m trying to do all the research I can possibly do to figure out how I can do the same, at least someday, and it’s frustrating because everything I’ve read is always quite vague! Thank you, I hope you keep having a marvelous time wherever you find yourself next. ♥