Budapest is a city that really isn't on anyone's list, like Paris, New York or Rome is. But

I tried to find a fancy quote said by someone more important than myself about the beauty that is Budapest but I didn't have much luck so you're going to have to put up with one of mine above. None the less that doesn't make it any less true.

When I initially planned to go travelling I wanted to hit all the main capital cities, like Paris, Athens, Rome and Barcelona. It had never occurred to me to go Budapest. It was only sheer last minute planning to get all my trains booked in time (see post one on interrailing for some more info on this stupidity) that meant Budapest was suddenly on the list. Thank God that it did.

Walking around Budapest it's easy to see why so many people that I've briefly had a conversation with, in my hostel, have cancelled the rest of their travel plans to stay here. One person has landed a job in this hostel and has been here 5 months, a tad more than the 4 days he initially planned for! That's because Budapest is a very young person city. Yes, when you're strolling around you see adorable old couples who are from here linking arms and admiring each other and the scenery. And you get that they don't care how old they are because to them they're still 21 and carefree. I saw this one couple on the bridge put a lock on it! HOW CUTE IS THAT!? I didn't want to spoil the moment so I took a picture of the lock that reads A + E, gonna say they're called Alice and Eddie just for the hell of it.

But at night it really does come alive for the young'uns like myself. The city is teething with bars and pubs, spotted quite a few Irish ones and we all know how well the Irish can drink! Working out the conversion rate the cheapest cocktail I saw in the bar just down the road from me was 560 HUF which is £1.60! Gals and Guys, if you're ever looking for a lads/girls holiday I think I found the place you need to be getting yourself to!

Before the few drinks I've had tonight, I waltzed around the capital for a few hours checking out some of the sights. First on my list was the Grand Synagogue. I'd never seen, let alone been inside one before so I was interested to know about it. I didn't look it up before hand because today was the day I planned to wing it. Stepping into the synagogue I was pleasantly surprised. I'd never seen anything so open and charming in my life. As I walked

around I started reading the plaques and signs (which is something I very rarely do) and I found out it was the largest synagogue in Europe and the 2nd largest in the world! Over two thousand people had also died here due to starvation, dehydration and the cold during WWII it. This place was used as a sanctuary for the Jewish community and thankfully it's still standing even after the attempts made by Nazi Germany to bomb it. There were rows and rows of headstones left to commemorate those who had unfortunately perished there.

The second stop on my dance through the city was the Great Market Hall and OMG was it great - in size and the sheer amount of stuff you can buy! As you walk in there is the biggest food market I have ever seen. Selling everything from meat, fish, veg, fruit and some weird looking stuff I couldn't identify (don't think I'll be trying that!) But if you don't fancy picking up ingredients to make a meal back at your hostel, you can always head upstairs to the food strip. It's a line of traditional street food, and the smell was amazing, not to mention the price! It was the cheapest food I'd seen going! But this little strip only took up a small chunk of the second floor. If you ever go to Budapest and want to do some souvenir shopping do not go anywhere but here. They had everything from shot glasses, to key rings, to jewellery and hand made trinkets and bags. I didn't buy any cause gotta be cautious with money (still got 3 weeks to go!)

The last stop before heading back to the hostel was the liberty statute and the citadel. What I didn't know was that these sights were placed on a little peak. Converses my friends are not the ideal footwear to be wearing when trying to walk up this thing so don't do it kids! However it was totally worth it. The view over the city was unreal, it could definitely compete with the one from the Eiffel Tower let me tell you! The Liberty Statute of Budapest was erected to celebrate the liberation of Hungary from the Soviet Union and to honour those who had died in the fight to achieve this! It stands on a very high pedestal and trying to get a decent picture of it, is near impossible unless you happen to be flying pass in a helicopter haha.

Again, sorry this post comes a bit late today, was too busy socialising with the other guests in the hostel, however it was only small chitchat and not really worth repeating for you ears!

See you tomorrow!