Budapest Be the Budabest with the Best Views

As a person who just simply refuses to stay in the same place for long time, I have been a traveller ever since I was 10 years old. I study in Australia for three years and then I went to the United States for high school then to Hong Kong for college.

Last year, I wanted to go to a European country for my exchange as Europe and Africa are the only continents I have not explored yet. Fortunately, our school offers many European schools as choices and I had to make a tough choice. When doing so, I usually ask myself a question. This time I asked myself “What makes you calm and relaxed?” because relaxation and time for myself was what I needed. Then I answered “A lot of things, but mostly a night view with silence and beauty.” Whenever I feel stressed I stop doing whatever I was doing then walk outside to watch the moon and the stars.

That question indeed made me choose one place, Budapest, I have heard a lot about how beautiful the night views are   especially with the Parliament and the Buda castle. 

When I moved to Budapest, the first thing I decided to do was to hike Gellért Hill at night. Since I am one of those people that enjoy going through tough hikes and consering beautiful views as rewards, the entire hike was delightful to me although my friend would totally disagree with me.

After couple minutes of hiking, we reached the top of the hill and I was truly speechless. It was not even dark yet, but the view was completely gorgeous. I usually do not take photos when I am travelling, but I started taking bunch of photos just to share the amazing views with my family and friends.

Once it started getting dark, I walked down the hill to see the night view of the Parliament and the Buda Castle. When I reached the location and looked at the view that was ranked as one of the world’s most beautiful night views, I could not describe what I was seeing.

As weird as it may sound, I cried simply because of the picturesque view for the first time in my life. Something about that view made me feel as if the view was erasing all the stressful memories that had occurred for past couple years. I went through a loss, a difficult breakfup, several fights, and internal and external conflicts. But that moment of looking at the glowing castle and the Parliament in such peace and silence seemed to console my intense emotions and memories.

No one was competing, no one was arguing with one another, no one was leaving me, and no one was in pain. I simply shared that unforgettable moment with my friend and several others who probably were having the same feelings as I was. 

“Healing” used to be a popular word among my friends. Whenever they would go to pretty places or eat good food, they would call that experience “healing”. I could never agree with the use of the word because I thought it was exaggerated. However, on the day of experiencing one of the most comforting and relieving moments with the night view on top of Gellért Hill, I finally could use the term “healing”.

I was truly appreciating every single second of the lovely picture I had the best luck to witness. I am attaching the photos of my experience to share my happiest instants with you all.