{"id":3600,"date":"2023-06-12T17:43:29","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T17:43:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=3600"},"modified":"2023-06-12T17:43:29","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T17:43:29","slug":"sabbatical-week-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=3600","title":{"rendered":"Sabbatical Week 28"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Finally made it to the proper Europe this week, but also felt a bit tired. Perhaps, it’s finally summer now and it’s time to go home. This was perhaps the first week I actually looked into how to get back home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last day in Belgrade, first was to get some food from a local market<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Again, I have to say how much I like about having fresh market baked into the city core. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since it’s Sunday, the national museum was free. Though, it’s a good museum but I was also just very tired to pay much attention to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There’s a free musical there. It was pretty to see some of my beloved classics being played live <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Walked about a bit more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s lunch time, and the German I met from the hostel really wanted to try some Chinese, especially once he found out there’s authentic restaurant from my hometown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fast food style, I gave it credit for being decent Chinese food I’ve had in months.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1520RSD per person, a bit pricy. This is the part where I don’t quite like where cheap dishes charging restaurant prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Last picture before we said goodbye to each other. Bittersweet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last city to visit in Serbia – Novi Sad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Statue outside of the old train station.. Of course, I thought it was where I was supposed to be… I was actually miles away from the functional one. Fortunately, I didn’t have to book any tickets in advance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Nice highspeed train 605RSD for 30min ride.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Passing by some country side on the train<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Walking towards my guesthouse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My guesthouse costs only 25euros per night, what a bargain. It comes with a stove and sink for cooking if I want to. Sizable space with a beautiful garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I walked around the old town a bit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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lunch! 2600RSD for 3 dishes and a few beers! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lots of delivery drivers for some reasons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Walked around more before calling it a day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Day 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Woke up leisurely to see the castle next to my guesthouse<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There’s this very interesting museum that’s describing Albert Einstein’s biggest contritions in physics, aka, space time<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What made it somewhat intriguing is that his first wife – Mileva Einstein-Maric<\/strong> lived in Novi Sad. Though was one of the first female physicist herself, her contribution was barely mentioned (all papers published was under Albert Einstein’s name only). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, Albert actually abandoned his son after discovering his mental conditions, hence leaving his wife to quit science and tend the son full time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Statement from Einstein’s son <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It was by far one of best museums. It’s probably underrated since I was pretty much alone most of the time<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Additional artifact from the museum. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The museum also sits on top of an old well that was nearly 100m deep which served as a backup in case of enemy siege<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Walked around the castle more before finding a restaurant that serves the special fish stew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2360RSD with a wine <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Despite the stew is very popular, i thought it was just all right. It’s catfish based, a bit fishy to my like as a stew and the pasta noodles don’t absorb the flavors that well. It is a Hungarian influenced dish, thus lots of paprika. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though, I don’t criticize cuisines. The Hungarian take on food which is just bluntly fatty and salty isn’t really my thing. The only thing I like is the Goulash soup<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Slow day just to walk around the city<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s a nice day to just meander, it’s also just half rain and half sunny entire time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I found this brewery which serves very good beers and food at an affordable price<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2465RSD – I know this is more like American. I was happy to have it though (3 beers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dinner was a food delivery of a wrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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704RSD <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bus to Hungary! First time taking a Flixbus though (20euros)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The border crossing was long! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The bus ride was supposed to be only 4hours or so, but we didn’t arrive until almost 4pm (3hours after, part of it due to one passenger tried to smuggle some cigarettes and we had to wait for him to get fined)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yay! European Union city again <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Central market next to my accommodation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dinner time was to try everything that’s famous in Hungary<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The soup and L\u00e1ngos (I didn’t like it very much, it’s just a sandwich with cheese and ham which I absolute dislike) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The alcohol was solid, bill was high… 38.1USD, the highest I’ve spent entire trip <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We climbed to the Liberty statue (well, for the Soviet liberating them from the Germans..)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Met up with a Canadian from the bus ride and another guy from Sweden in a pub. Fun night, I got hammered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This probably sat up my vicious bad sleep cycle and eventually leading me to decide on going back to the USA early. (It’s just getting way more crowded and expensive than I initially though even in the early summer. Everything requires more planning thus makes the trip less fun and spontaneous)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Walked along the river to get to my “free” walking tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pedestrian crossing underneath a tram bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The tour itself was great, lots of history to learn. Unfortunately, it’s raining quite hard. I probably should have gotten used to it by now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(in a nutshell, Hungary was never at the right side of the history. Great on losing just about everything. A lot of other countries like to “liberating” them for some reasons)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Buda castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Parliament that’s inspired from the British one <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the side note, toilets in Europe aren’t free. In Budapest is 400HF or 1euro per use. Crazy price. (more expensive than in Western European) I asked my tour guide why its that high, turned out there were too many Asian tourists “squatting” on the western toilets hence destroying them and requiring replacements constantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t know if it sounds borderline racist. Though, there are very many Asian restaurants in Budapest and some of them are impressively good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Random statue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Short lunch break to try the Goulash soup again along with the special beef roasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I didn’t like it very much. Beef is dry and flavor isn’t my thing. The “dumplings” were just way too doughy. Perhaps I was also just recovering from hangover – 8450LF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Took an Underground to the other side of the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Metro is quite deep…. Soviet style? <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another tour of the day is the Buda Castle tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View from the castle <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Turkish style fountain… interesting shape <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Was hoping to find out the significance of this statue but somehow I got lost. I mean not sure if this is animal abuse? <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Couldn’t get a clear picture of those royal guards before all the Asian tourist wanting to take photos with them<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I think this is by far my favorite photo of the city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Funny it’s sunny again, and I decided to take a stroll around the parks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s Friday, though I was invited to go out but due to the previous night hangover, I decided to take it easy and stay in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cheapest Pho I’ve had outside of Vietnam for only 7 euros. Wasn’t bad, but I didn’t think it’s as good as the one I am used to in the States and of course in Vietnam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally a museum day. Since I didn’t actually do a tour related to Communism, I decided to take a stroll at this Retro museum. Ticket is quite pricy at 15euros. It’s a small compact museum, but the effort is good. I didn’t quite enjoy as much, perhaps I was just not in the mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apparently in Orthodox culture, kissing between men even on the lips is expected<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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After the museum, I decided to go to the hero park and was also hoping to get into a Turkish bath, finally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chimney cake for only 2 euros. what a bargain!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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7 statues on each side to symbolize the creation of Hungary via the 7 tribe leaders <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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There’s actually a wine festival going on, but unfortunately you need to buy a wine glass before you can taste any wines.. and the a glass costs about 8 euros.. I would have bought one if there’s easy way for me to keep the glass <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Well this is the Turkish bath.. and of course it’s Saturday and it’s by reservation only and I didn’t have one.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Overall, while I like Budapest, there’s also lots to be desired. For one thing everything has a price including Churches in which I never had to pay prior to coming to Hungary. Another is the maintenance or lack thereof, lots of buildings were partially closed or just don’t look what they should look like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later, I met up with the Swede, and we decided to go to the suburb for the most local food<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here is the no-English menu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Food is probably as good as it can go, namely still fatty salty and relatively simple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The meal was about 15euros for each person, though I decided to give my left over cash to them as a thanks for taking me to have the most authentic experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am definitely a more West European food person in that regard, and I gave Greek food an exception as well (lower Balkans are all pretty solid)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Week 28<\/td>Currency:<\/td>RSD<\/td>109.0701<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Day<\/td>Food&Drink<\/td>Lodging<\/td>Transportation<\/td>Other (tickets\/tours etc)<\/td>Day total<\/td><\/tr>
1<\/td>$25.47<\/td>$18.39<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$43.86<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>$32.50<\/td>$30.95<\/td>$6.12<\/td>$2.00<\/td>$71.58<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>$33.51<\/td>$30.95<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$3.67<\/td>$68.13<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>$32.72<\/td>$30.95<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$0.46<\/td>$64.13<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>$63.80<\/td>$21.72<\/td>$28.66<\/td>$1.10<\/td>$115.29<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>$39.61<\/td>$19.40<\/td>$1.00<\/td>$15.61<\/td>$75.62<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>$60.25<\/td>$27.16<\/td>$4.08<\/td>$15.81<\/td>$107.30<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>$287.87<\/td>$179.53<\/td>$39.86<\/td>$38.65<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Total<\/td><\/td>Grand Total:<\/td>$545.90<\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Relatively budget week consider it’s Europe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Finally made it to the proper Europe this week, but also felt a bit tired. Perhaps, it’s finally summer now and it’s time to go home. This was perhaps the first week I actually looked into how to get back home. Day 1 Last day in Belgrade, first was to get some food from a… Continue reading Sabbatical Week 28<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3600"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3600\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3699,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3600\/revisions\/3699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}