Having finally decided that enough was enough and sitting around in Geneva while Chris worked sucked big time, I booked a trip to Budapest to show that I could do it all on my own. What I proved is that yes, while I can do it on my own, essentially on the inside I’m curled up in the foetal position repeating my mantra “there’s no place like home”. It’s been a mental challenge to say the least.

My first night was spent basically hiding out in my hotel room while I planned the rest of my stay. My excuse was that I arrived late and didn’t want to go out by myself while it was dark. Hey – I can quote you something on Trip Advisor where it says it’s dangerous at night. The next day I girded my loins and sallied forth straight back into my comfort zone of shopping. Oh come on – a holiday where I can do anything I want – you didn’t really think there wouldn’t be a substantial amount of shopping involved? (H & M and Zara seriously need to come to Perth btw). I did in fact start off my day with one of those free guided tours, but let’s face it, I’m really not a people person plus guided tours just aren’t my thing, so after five minutes I ditched the tour in favour of shopping. I was determined not to let that be the sum of my parts however and crossed the Danube to try and find a church in a cave and failing that, (stupid Trip Advisor is not very accurate with the GPS sometimes) climbed the hill to some sort of Citadel. I should know the importance of this, but I’m afraid I zoned out when the guide was talking. In the evening, with some inspired bravery, I crossed the road directly opposite the hotel to go to a Thai restaurant. You will not hear me say very often that something is overcooked (I do like things crispy), but that chicken was well done, even for me. Also, pineapple in chicken cashew nut is just wrong. Just shows you shouldn’t really rely on Trip Advisor reviews all the time. I restored my sense of equilibrium by watching Grease and raiding the mini bar.

Shoes on the Danube

Day three was eminently more satisfying. Out of all the sights I wanted to see in Budapest, Shoes on the Danube was number one on my list. Why? I couldn’t really tell you, but I’ve always been particularly affected by things relating to the world wars. I imagine it’s on account of all the (mostly dreadful) historical fiction I used to read when I was younger. This was just a quiet reflection on the atrocities of war, but poignant nonetheless. I understand there is a holocaust museum here, but I’m saving that sort of thing for Berlin. If my reaction to the peace memorial at Hiroshima was anything to go by, I didn’t want to be by myself when visiting it! I couldn’t resist the Basilica of St Stephen after this. I’m still hopeful after my Lyon experience that I will be suitably enraptured, but everything else falls just a little short. It was certainly grand, but no mosaics 😦 . I find it a curious thing to see a priest taking entry fee to the church. Seems a bit too commercial for me – but I shouldn’t bag him out too much as he did let me through when I didn’t have enough coin. I then committed a crime against fashion by buying a puffer jacket from Zara. Yes, I’m now one of the legions of muffled up, stuffed sausage Michelin men walking the streets of Europe, but I don’t care – It keeps me soooooo warm – surely that redeems it somewhat?

Best mulled wine ever

If Trip Advisor had let me down with restaurant reviews, Spotted by Locals certainly hasn’t. In my most daring move to date, I walked all of 300 meters to Sonka Arcok for dinner. Just go here, OK. Great food and I do love a mulled wine that doesn’t come from a tub. I had thought to be alcohol free this trip, but hadn’t counted on the impact of travelling on my own. Oh, I admit it freely: I’ve turned into a lush. I’ve had periods of lushishness in the past, but alcohol has become my crutch this trip. Wow – that sounds really bad. True, but bad. I’m ashamed to admit that room service remembered me from the bar *lol*. So on the whole this solo travelling gig has been very illuminating. I enjoy being able to do whatever I want, but miss the security of travelling with someone who can fight off muggers if need be. Bwahaha – I think Chris might just hand over his goods, but it sounded good as I was writing it.