Well–it’s official–we’ve been here in Budapest for ONE YEAR!
Truthfully, I almost forgot we’ve been here a year–luckily I have this blog to remind me ;). When we were living in Prague, I was practically counting down the days until I hit that big milestone, and here, it almost passed me by.
It’s interesting to read back and see the differences between my two years abroad. In Prague, I fell for the city instantly, while it took longer for me to feel as affectionate towards Budapest. I adored my job in Prague; and here, it took me a few more tries to find a job I really enjoyed. Living abroad was still a novelty in Prague, and I gushed about everything; in Budapest, the reality of living far away in a foreign culture caught up with me.
It’s also fun to go back and see the beginning of Budapest–from the gloomy days of last January, to a July spent entirely on the road, to one of the best Octobers on record, to a holiday season spent here in the city.
As it’s hit one year, I’ve decided to end the “By the Numbers” posts. While I do enjoy writing these, to help me keep track of whatever has happened in each month, I’m looking forward to finding new ways to recap my time here.
So, I give you my last By the Numbers post–and it’s a good one to end on, because it’s…
TWELVE MONTHS IN BUDAPEST: BY THE NUMBERS
THREE DAYS in Germany to see the Christmas markets–and see our friends, who were there for their honeymoon! We saw them in Frankfurt AND in Nuremberg. Spoiled!
TWO DAYS celebrating Christmas in Budapest–just the two of us, and with friends!
ONE NIGHT seeing the Christmas Carol in musical form. One of my students (a second-grader) was in it, and got me and E tickets to see him perform as a gift. Awesome, right? He did so well and I was so impressed–and gave him a free pass for all the times I had to ask him to stop singing for the love of all that is holy in the middle of class ;). I mean, he was practicing!
FOUR successful homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas. E said they were the best he’s ever had…but he may be slightly biased, no?
ONE EVENING at the Nutcracker in the Opera House! We snagged some super cheap tickets at the last minute. It was definitely the nose bleed section–we couldn’t even use the gorgeous marble steps and had to take a back entrance, haha–but it still a great night out! It doesn’t quite feel like the holidays without the Nutcracker.
ONE WEEK staycation in Budapest for Christmas! I was worried I would regret not traveling for Christmas and New Year’s…but I didn’t.
SEVERAL stunning sunsets snapped when I’m just getting home to our place after work.
LOTS OF TIME making our place even cozier. I’m obsessed with this random house decoration I found in Germany.
TWO HOURS meeting a fellow blogger, Natalie, for coffee! I love when I people I’ve connected with online visit my city…and vice versa. She definitely has me considering South Africa for my next big trip!
THREE HOURS having coffee at the beautiful New York Café, supposedly the “most beautiful café in the world.” It’s definitely fancy (and pricey!).
TEN freezing days. It’s been so cold here–the coldest it’s been in years–and I’m kind of loving it! The Danube even had ice floes…excuse my crappy photo but I couldn’t resist snapping one.
ONE big snowstorm–finally! Sadly after Christmas but…I’ll take it.
How was your month?
Eleven Months in Budapest // Ten Months in Budapest // Nine Months in Budapest // Eight Months in Budapest // Seven Months in Budapest // Six Months in Budapest // Five Months in Budapest // Four Months in Budapest // Three Months in Budapest // Two Months in Budapest // One Month in Budapest // Three Months on the Road // Twelve Months in Prague