I have been noticeably absent from this blog in 2018, which I could easily label the worst year of my life. One of the few highlights though were some traveling experiences that I would like to share here.
Hope you’ll enjoy and here’s to a better 2019! 🥂
1. Prague in spring
Katalin Tarjan (@katalintarjan) által megosztott bejegyzés, Márc 16., 2018, időpont: 10:17 (PDT időzóna szerint)
We visited Prague for a long March weekend getaway, but just then the weather turned winter-y with freezing cold and lots of snow. Even though Prague is relatively close to Budapest, it was my first trip ever to this beautiful city, but definitely not the last. I loved the old small town feel to it, we enjoyed long walks all over the narrow streets, and indulged in the famous trdlo. We also visited the Museum of Communism, I have written about it here. One of the things I need to return for is all the classical concerts. I was with a friend who doesn’t particularly enjoy classical music, so we didn’t go in for any of the lots of Mozart concerts around town but next time I definitely will!
2. London for a live podcast recording
Katalin Tarjan (@katalintarjan) által megosztott bejegyzés, Ápr 13., 2018, időpont: 10:23 (PDT időzóna szerint)
I love London! Ever since my first visit, I just need to go back again and again, so I will always find an excuse. I have written here about my love for The West Wing and The West Wing Weekly podcast. This past spring Josh and Hrishi did a live show tour for the podcast including some UK dates. There was no question in my mind when I first saw the announcement. I loved every bit of the show, I also got to tell the guys I traveled all over from Hungary and we had a picture together.
Of all the times I have visited London, for one reason or another I have never had the chance to properly visit The Houses of Parliament. I booked a visit this time and I didn’t regret! The main reason I love London is all the history you feel surrounding you just walking the streets. In an historic building like the Palace of Westminster this feeling multiplies.
Unfortunately a less pleasant memory also comes to mind: on the very first day of this trip I twisted my ankle so bad that it left me disabled for almost two months after. Actually, I went to the Parliament tour (about 1,5 hours walking!) with the fresh injury (for which I got shouted at really bad by a mean doctor later).
3. Vienna to hear the Vienna Philharmonics
Katalin Tarjan (@katalintarjan) által megosztott bejegyzés, Máj 31., 2018, időpont: 1:17 (PDT időzóna szerint)
My other favorite city to visit is Vienna, for all the same reasons: history all around! I love the Vienna Philharmonics and have been planning to go see them at the Sommernachtsconzert which is a tradition of theirs to be held every year, early summer in the huge park of Schönbrunn. We loved the concert so much and enjoyed the early summer warmth of this beautiful city as well, first time I was able do a lot of walking again after London.
4. Summer hike in the High Tatras
Katalin Tarjan (@katalintarjan) által megosztott bejegyzés, Jún 24., 2018, időpont: 5:58 (PDT időzóna szerint)
By summer I mean near zero temperatures and snow.🤣 In late June. It was funny, we arrived in summer clothes for a really lovely weather, and by the time we took to hiking the next day it was winter all over with snow and cold. We were prepared of course, so we were able to enjoy the hike and the beautiful surroundings all the same. (In the group was my friend with whom I went to Prague, so we were joking that wherever we go, we bring snow, no matter the season… 😁)
5. Late vacation in Italy
Katalin Tarjan (@katalintarjan) által megosztott bejegyzés, Szept 12., 2018, időpont: 7:10 (PDT időzóna szerint)
This was sort of a last minute thing, after a summer when I wasn’t really able to take more than a few days off of work, I felt I needed to get far away from it even for just a short time. So that I did in the early days of September and it was really refreshing. This one was a solo travel, with lots of thinking and doing whatever I felt like by myself for two whole days in Nervi, near Geneva. I went for four days, but the first and the last was mainly traveling throughout beautiful Italy. There’s all this hype about solo travel these days, but I really do recommend it if you just want to get away from everything and think, it did wonders for me. I loved every minute of this trip, and also, my room in an old college dormitory looked to the sea. I can’t really express how it felt going to sleep and waking up to the sounds of the waves. Priceless.
6. Berlin to see Mariah Carey
And finally, in early December, I spent a day in Berlin. The main reason for this travel was to see Mariah Carey’s Christmas show, and since I didn’t have the time to go for longer, I couldn’t really explore the city. The remains of the Berlin Wall were conveniently close to the venue of the concert, so we went to check that one, and also walked to the Brandenburg Gate. Although I didn’t really fall in love with this city at first, I would love to give it another chance with more time to look around. The Mariah concert was fantastic, though! She did her best and the audience was also full of great energy, for a night I really forgot about every worry of mine.
This was it for this year, I hope I will have an equally rich travel diary in 2019!
Happy New Year to you all! 🎉
P.S.: I have no idea why Instagram pics cannot be displayed here anymore, I’ll try to work on it later.
