Mental Meanderings: Budapest

Travel

Oct 15

MENTAL MEANDERINGS IS OUR ONGOING SERIES FOR ALL OF US WHO PROBABLY CAN’T HOP ON A PROPELLER PLANE TO BORNEO THIS WEEKEND BUT STILL NEEDS TO SATISFY OUR CHRONIC WANDERLUST.

We highlight a city somewhere around the world and give you all of the pieces you need to close your eyes and have a little 10-minute vacation. We hope you’ll be inspired to watch a movie, listen to a new song, pick up a book by a new author, or try cooking a new dish for dinner that brings a far-off corner of the world into your living room for a bit.

Happy daydreams!

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN GET A TASTE OF THE CITY, AND BRING IT INTO YOUR HOME…

LISTEN

If there’s one piece of music which defines Hungary as a country, most people would agree that it’s the Csárdás, which is a traditional style of soulful folk dance that’ll just tear your heart out. It originated in Hungary in the 18th century and has since spread into other parts of Eastern Europe. It’s beautiful to watch be danced to, but close your eyes and listen to this gorgeous violin version played by Sarah Nemtanu, and for just a moment you’ll find yourself strolling cobblestones along the Danube.

READ

There are some really fantastic fiction set in the city, as well as a slew of excellent non-fiction that will really give you a sense of the history and context of this region of Eastern Europe in history if you’re interested in doing a deep dive. Here are a few of our favorites:

WATCH

Maybe this is just my little hipster brain, but when someone mentions Budapest, the first movie (maybe even the first thing altogether) that my brain runs to is Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel. And certainly, if you’re looking for some visuals to inspire your Meandering, you could definitely do a lot worse than the rose-colored caper of M. Gustave. Settle in, maybe whip yourself up a courtesan au chocolat, and have a grand old time!

It’s worth knowing, though, that Hungary actually has an incredible film scene, and has produced some absolutely breathtaking films in the last decade. Fun fact: because of the affordable filming costs, central location, and very ‘old europe’ setting of the city, Budapest has found a new life as the Hollywood of Europe, with over 70 films & shows shot there since the 1990s, most of which use the city as a stand in for somewhere else. You’ve probably fallen in love with the gorgeous streets over Budapest over and over again without even realizing it!

So for a movie to pop on tonight, our pick is the absolutely lovely, and Oscar-winning, 2016 short film SING. It’s 26 minutes long, and it will leave you feeling full.

EAT

On our first visit to Budapest, I’ll be honest, I didn’t have the biggest expectations culinarily. Turns out Budapest is flooded with amazing restaurants and incredible things to nosh on while strolling. I cannot recommend the stupidly delicious pile of fried dough that is Langos enough. But if you want to be quickly transported, and have a tasty and quick meal in the process, it’s got to surprise no one that our pick is a simple, soul-satisfying pot of goulash. Here’s a great, easy recipe we love from The Spruce Eats to get you on your way. Jó étvágyat!