Day 14 Exploring Budapest at our pace

Donna and I decided to stay aboard the Rinda this morning and enjoy a slower start to the day. After lunch we headed out on our own, no group, no schedule—just the two of us wandering Budapest the way we like best.

We hopped on the trolley and rode four stops down, then walked up toward the Belvárosi Market Hall in the Ferencváros district. This neighborhood goes back to the late 1800s, when it was the bustling trade-and-warehouse quarter of the city. You can still feel that history in the old brick buildings, iron balconies, and cafés tucked into corners that look unchanged for generations.

Inside the market, the scene hit us all at once—a visual overload of color, smells, and energy. Downstairs, food vendors filled every inch with fresh vegetables, meats, spices, and ready-to-eat Hungarian dishes. I found myself staring at the mountain of produce thinking, How do they go through all this food?

Upstairs was Trinket Over-Load—embroidered linens, carved wood, leather bags, magnets, toys, paprika in every shape and size. If the lower floor was daily life, the upper floor was pure souvenir carnival.

We eventually tracked down a Chimney Cake shop, something we’ve wanted to try since arriving. Two ladies inside were having way too much fun making them—laughing, rolling dough, roasting the spirals over open heat. Their joy alone was the price of admission.

For 1,000 forint, we sat down with a traditional cinnamon chimney cake. Honestly? It was more fun watching them prepare it than eating it. Cooked dough wrapped in sugar and cinnamon… simple, warm, but the show was the real treat.

Across the way, Donna spotted a jewelry shop. I immediately concentrated all my telepathic powers to keep her from entering the Chamber of Guaranteed Wallet Drain. Miraculously—it worked. She came back and said there was nothing in the window she liked. Little did she know this was one of the rare times my powers actually held strong.

Hand in hand, we made our way toward the Christmas Market. The air carried a mix of cinnamon, smoke, and mulled wine. One booth stopped me cold—a woman sitting at a loom weaving a scarf right there in front of us. The pieces hanging behind her looked like they belonged in a museum. There’s something grounding about watching someone create with such patience and pride.

We wandered a bit more, I took a few photos, and eventually we strolled back to the Rinda—content, quiet, happy.

It was a peaceful, calming time. Just the two of us exploring. No bus ride. No QuietVox. Just walking with my girlfriend through the streets of Budapest, Hungary.

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