Czech Republic and Hungary

Prague is spectacularly beautiful — and even more so by night. Its Old Town Square is filled with the intoxicating aromas of wood fires and baked goods, and Prague’s castle and St. Vitus Cathedral stand strikingly above the city below. The weather was perfect on my second day there, and I was able to relax by the riverside and soak in the city’s atmosphere. I hiked up to Petrin Hill as well — the view is incredible.

On my last day in the Czech Republic, I took a trip to Kutná Hora (73km east of Prague). Among the town’s charms (and oddities) are a centuries-old cathedral overlooking the town, a central square with a public piano, and an ancient ossuary where thousands of old bones have been arranged into different displays. (That last bit may sound weird, but it was actually pretty cool to see.)

Budapest completely surprised me. I had no idea what to expect, and it blew me away: the architecture along the Danube is breathtaking, from the Hungarian Parliament Building in Pest right across to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church in Buda. It was Budapest Spring Festival when I was there too, so there were free concerts going on in the city square.

Things I’ve seen:

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What I’m reading:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/pragues-famous-john-lennon-wall-it-over-or-just-reborn-180953415/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/fun-stuff/33-pictures-graffiti-cardiff-prove-8960629

What I’m listening to:

Slakadeliqs feat. Justin Nozuka – “Love Controls the Sun”
Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment – “Sunday Candy”

Best local food I’ve eaten:

Svíčková in Prague. The Czech specialty is made up of some of the tenderest roast beef I’ve ever had, and it’s served in a hearty vegetable sauce alongside dumplings, a dollop of cream, and cranberries.

Goulash in Budapest. This is home-cooked comfort food at its best. After a long day of walking, the hearty meat and vegetable-filled soup is just the right cure — served alongside two thick slices of bread to mop up the leftover broth.