Author: Minnie

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Budapest Wanderlusting

Budapest, Hungary’s enchanting capital, offers a mix of history, vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and relaxing hot springs. Whether you’re walking along the Danube or exploring the city’s ruin pubs, Budapest delivers an unforgettable experience. Here’s your ultimate guide to making the most of your visit.

Where to Stay

We stayed in an Airbnb in Mikszáth Kálmán tér (District VIII), on the Pest side of the city—a perfect location for travelers. Staying on the Pest side is highly recommended for its accessibility to metro stations, tram lines, and attractions like the Central Market Hall. Our accommodation was steps away from Kálvin Tér Metro Station, restaurants, bars, and major sites, making it ideal for exploring the city.

For a cozy and central stay, consider options near the Central Market Hall or Deák Ferenc Tér, the main metro hub. If you’re traveling with a group, many spacious Airbnbs are available in this area. For more recommendations, check out The Culture Trip’s top places to stay.

Getting Around

From the Airport

The easiest way to reach the city is via the airport bus, which connects to the metro at its final stop. From there, take the metro into town. Simple and cost-effective!

Public Transportation

Consider purchasing the 48-hour Budapest Card, which includes free public transport and discounted entry to museums and attractions. Alternatively, opt for a 2- or 3-day transport card, which covers unlimited travel on the metro, buses, and trams. The city’s grid pattern and efficient public transport system make navigation a breeze—we didn’t need a cab the entire trip.

Top Things to Do

Day 1: Explore the Danube and Central Market

  • Morning Stroll Along the Danube: Start at Deák Ferenc Tér and walk north along the river. Admire stunning views of the Buda side, including landmarks like the Fisherman’s Bastion and Castle Hill. End your walk at the iconic Chain Bridge.
  • Holocaust Memorial and Market: A short walk from the Chain Bridge, the Holocaust Memorial is a poignant site. Behind it, explore a lively market with delicious food, live music, and unique souvenirs.
  • Central Market Hall: Dive into Hungarian cuisine and pick up local treats. This historic covered market is perfect for shopping and sampling traditional dishes.

Nearby Attractions

  • St. Stephen’s Basilica: A 10-minute walk southeast.
  • Parliament Building: A 15-minute walk northwest.
  • Great Synagogue: A 15-20 minute walk south.

Evening at the Opera House

Even if you’re not an opera fan, the Hungarian State Opera House is worth visiting for its breathtaking architecture. If possible, catch a performance—tickets are surprisingly affordable.

Day 2: Discover the Buda Side

  • Chain Bridge to Castle Hill: Cross the Chain Bridge and hike up to Castle Hill, or take the charming funicular. At the top, visit:
    • Buda Castle and National Gallery: Climb to the dome for the best panoramic view of Budapest.
    • Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion: A fairy-tale-like site with stunning architecture and views.
  • Dracula’s Tunnels: If you’re intrigued by legends, explore the underground tunnels where Dracula was said to be held. A unique and eerie experience awaits.

Evening Relaxation: Hot Springs

After a day of walking, unwind in Budapest’s famous thermal baths. We visited a large, historic bathhouse at night—the warm water under the stars was magical. Bring a towel, sandals, and swimwear. For a livelier vibe, explore one of the trendy, music-filled bath parties.

Must-See Spots

  • Andrássy Avenue: Stroll this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which ends at Heroes’ Square and the City Park. The avenue’s museums and gardens are perfect for culture enthusiasts.
  • Ruin Pubs: Budapest’s iconic nightlife scene includes spots like Szimpla Kert, a quirky, partially underground bar with a fun (though not musical) vibe.

Food and Drink Recommendations

  • Muzéum Café & Restaurant: Excellent Hungarian cuisine with a fancy yet affordable vibe.
  • Pata Negra Tapas Bar: A cozy Spanish restaurant with great food.
  • Stex Ház: A laid-back spot for hanging out with friends and enjoying decent food.

Insider Tips

  • Budapest is a walkable city where you can stumble upon stunning architecture. Take time to wander!
  • Stay near a metro stop, ideally on the Pest side for easy access to attractions.
  • Don’t miss the hot springs and ruin pubs for a quintessential Budapest experience.

Budapest’s charm lies in its blend of old-world elegance and modern vibrancy. From the picturesque Buda side to the lively Pest side, this city has something for everyone. Pack your walking shoes and prepare to fall in love with Budapest!

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A Review of the Turkish Referendum

Around two weeks ago, the Turkish people voted in support of changing a portion of their constitution in order to grant President Erdogan’s additional far reaching powers in the government.

The referendum in its totality, has been under some harsh scrutiny since it was passed due to some ballots tallied without official stamps or markings. Some opposition parties in Turkey are in favor of this referendum annulment for reasons such as voter fraud, the elimination of the Prime Minister’s office and even allowing Erdogan to possibly remain president until 2029. The main opposition parties, in conjunction with civil liberty groups also have solid evidence that these fraudulent votes account to around 2 million.

With a narrow victory of 51.4%, there is no doubt that the country is deeply divided when it comes to both how the referendum was passed and its various outcomes.

For many, Turks who are pro-Erdogan see this public vote as giving the president more power to allow for additional economic growth and development, given his track record in these areas. On the other the hand, the opposition parties are demanding a 37% recount of votes while also firmly believing that this referendum is a sudden means to acquire more power and secure his position without the influence of outside forces. Erdogan’s supporters see the changes as effective government-based alternatives to secure a more stable, prosperous financial future for Turkey.

Tana de Zulueta, who is currently the head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, has recently released a report stating that the opposition campaign was muted and the media coverage was partial.

More importantly, Zuleta confirmed that the electoral authority’s decision to accept unauthorized ballots resulted in a legal contradiction, changing the validity criteria. This public vote signifies the first time that Erdogan has actually lost the majority in large cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

The recent changes will see the removal of the prime minister position, with those responsibilities transferred over to the president. Minimizing the role of the prime minister has been an ongoing discourse for some time now, but the referendum will structurally alter how power is handled in both positions. Throughout his political career, Erdogan has made it clear that he strongly supported a presidential system that would include extensive executive authority.

With regard to appointing Supreme Court members, the vote has also altered the number of members the president can appoint from 4 out of 22 to nearly half (5 out of 13). Unlike before when the president was not permitted to have any political affiliations under the constitution, the new referendum would allow the president to align with a political party.

Another main area in which Erdogan will have additional power will be circumventing parliament when it comes to regulating ministries and handling senior civil servants. While the president would be unable to alter or modify decrees related to human rights or freedoms, Erdogan would have the ability to bypass the cabinet, declaring a state of emergency.

In terms of legally repealing the referendum, lawmakers from the CHP (the Republican People’s Party) have recently appealed to ask the European Court of Human Rights to provide insight into this divisive public vote. Only time will tell if there will be any legal amendments as a result of these appeals in the weeks to come.

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Rehabilitating Racehorses

For those looking to get into horse ownership, be it for casual rides or competitive show jumping, racetracks can be an excellent place for finding athletic and attractive thoroughbreds (and sometimes other breeds of) horses with capabilities that can make them excellent companions. For a variety of reasons, retired race horses are often available to be purchased or even rescued from an animal shelter for minimal cost.

Racehorses often come from corrupt or abusive situations, including forcing horses to run on injuries that can cripple them and the use of cattle prods, amongst others. Many are retired when they are injured beyond recovery for racing, age out of competition, or are simply not fast enough anymore. As a warning, some of the reasons which make such horses inappropriate for track may also make them unfitting for riding or jumping horses. If you purchase a racehorse, you’re also running the risk of inheriting a medical and possibly inhumane history of which you are not aware.

On the other hand, by buying or rescuing a retired racehorse, you are potentially giving an exhausted, wounded, or abused animal a loving home. Many thoroughbreds end up being slaughtered rather than being rehomed. Racehorses are bred with a purpose, and because of that many take very well to other tasks after a little rehabilitation.

It may take some time for your ex-racehorse to be ready to ride, if they come straight from the track. They are often too fit and run too fast for most riders, and often they need time to come down from the pressure and intensity of the running. If they were being illegally doped, they may need to literally come down, as well. You may need to put your new horse to pasture for a few weeks or up to a month to give them time to relax.

Below are some tips to remember once you have let it recuperate and you begin training your horse to perform other duties. This list comes from the website Retraining of Racehorses, which is an excellent resource for more information.

  • Be realistic about your ability and experience and don’t be afraid to seek advice.  Our RoR Helpline is just a call or email away.
  • Generally a former racehorse is good to load, clip, stands for the farrier and has good stable manners.
  • The horse will not be accustomed to being tied up outside his stable so is likely to fidget and become anxious.
  • Racehorses are generally not accustomed to standing still when mounted because lads and lasses are generally legged up whilst the horse is walking.
  • The horse is used to being ridden but not in quite the same way as a riding horse. Some of the aids are different, indeed quite the opposite, to what he is used to and you are accustomed to applying in a given situation.
  • The horse may not be used to anyone riding with long stirrups although this is much less likely these days; it is more the placement of the lower leg if initially drawn too far back that a horse can react to.
  • Your braking system could well be limited; and when you shorten up the reins and undoubtedly, although probably unintentionally, incline yourself forward, you are actually giving cues to go faster!
  • The horse will know little about contact in terms of how we understand it for the riding horse so when you pick up the reins, the head and neck will invariably go up and out rather than low and rounded. You may also experience head tossing and snatching at the bit.
  • The horse will be used to riding out in company which means that hacking out on your own you could encounter problems in relation to insecurity. Riding in company can also present its own issues as will be associated with work ie. a training gallop.
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Beasts of No Nation

Beasts of No Nation is a motion picture by Cary Fukunaga. And when I say “by”, I mean that every aspect of this film has his fingerprints. With experience in both film and television (with credits on everything from Jane Eyre to True Detective), Cary Fukunaga clearly set out to make his own specific vision. Writer, director, cinematographer, and even cameraman when a leg injury took out the cameraman who had been shooting the film.

A film about a young boy who is drafted into being a child soldier in a horrific war, the film is based of of the Uzodinma Iweala book of the same name. Cary Fukunaga researched child soldiers and the Sierra Leone Civil War for six years before coming across the electric-prosed novel. “I read through the novel and I loved the elegant and concise way that Uzodinma Iweala told the story.” Fukunaga said, “I felt that would be the best way to enter the subject.”

Fukunaga was clearly avoiding making Beasts of No Nation an “issue movie”. There is no specific, based-on-a-true-story conflict. There is no specific place or time that this story takes place. He does not want to educate you and impassion you into action for a specific cause. This movie, instead, is about the emotional damage that is suffered by child guerrilla fighters worldwide. The spiritual conflict that lies within growing up witnessing (and committing) these atrocities, and how that affects the young, is clearly the central idea of this movie.

Fukunaga is aware of the emotional toll this takes on viewers. “No one’s gonna want to watch it, even if they hear it’s a good film,” he said before the release, noting how tough it is to persuade people “to make the time to watch something that’s emotionally taxing.”

The most notable thing about Beasts of No Nation, however, is that it may well be a model for future distribution. In an ever-changing media climate, how we will and how we will want to consume our entertainment is never a certainty. This film is the first fictional feature distributed by Netflix. They purchased the rights for distribution worldwide for $12 million. It was the first film to be released the same day on Netflix and in theaters. Considering this simultaneous release a violation of the unregulated but standard 90-day-release window that usually gives cinemas exclusivity, the four largest theatre chains in the United States (Cinemark, AMC, Regal, and Carmike) announced that they would be boycotting the film. Released by smaller cinemas and independent chains, the opening box office was less than stellar.  

Netflix, however, isn’t complaining. According to Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos, that doesn’t matter. Although historically Netflix never shares and, in fact, closely guards its streaming numbers, Sarandos revealed that the movie has already gotten 3 million views in North America. “I think [that] is a bigger audience than any specialty film could ever hope for in its first two weeks of release, and maybe for its entire run,” Sarandos told Deadline. “We are just thrilled with the total audience reach of this film, not just in North America but the world. In the first week of release, Beasts of No Nation was the most watched movie on Netflix, in every country we operate in.”

This change in distribution was certain to challenge the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ definition of what a movie actually is. What kinds of filmed entertainment should qualify for Oscar noms is a constantly-moving line that is getting blurrier every day. With made-for-TV movies, streaming services like Netflix, and DIY films and webseries letting filmmakers adhere to ANY rules, quality content and history-making releases are happening more and more with less and less ability to fit into the Academy’s mould.

Though Netflix was certainly pushing for Oscar recognition with Beasts of No Nation, no nominations were received in any category.

Though it did not get a nod from the Academy, Rotten Tomatoes, a ratings and review site with a notoriously critical eye has given it a rating of 91%. So, though Cary Fukunaga knows it will be hard for you to get yourself motivated to watch it, I recommend you see it. And not simply for the emotionally compelling story. Watch it because it is part of the way filmmakers are changing the entertainment industry every day.