WLB: How would you describe Budapest in five words?
Gaby: Alternative, surprising, charming, coffee and bipolar. Because it has two faces, the one that’s shown with pride to tourists and the one that’s hidden in the secret streets, in the ruined buildings and in the locals.
WLB:
If Budapest was another European city which one would it be?
Gaby: I totally disagree with those people who compare Budapest to Prague or Vienna. Budapest is unique, though there’s a mix of cities hidden here.
WLB: What is the face of Budapest like?
Gaby: At first sight Budapest doesn’t seem what it really is. I remember I was confused when I first came, it felt a bit like chaos and like being some decades back in time, I couldn’t find the charm I had seen in the pictures. Nevertheless, I have a completely different image of the city right now. I’ve seen inside and have found more beauty and charm than I could ever imagine.
WLB:
Why did you come to Budapest?
Gaby: I was looking for an internship abroad and I picked Budapest as my destiny. It had to be Budapest. It was Budapest.
WLB:
Where do you come from?
Gaby: I currently consider Valencia, Spain, as my home, though I was born in Argentina and lived there for several years.
WLB:
What is the first thing that pops into your mind about Budapest?
Gaby: The lights! I’m in love with the lights of this city… A few days after I arrived someone took me to Margaret Bridge at night and I was amazed by the landscape I had in front of me. It left me breathless…
WLB: Eastern elements probably make Budapest an attractive and unique city. What do you think?
Gaby: Definitely Budapest’s architecture is very attractive and impressive. It’s like every detail had been taken care of once. There are beautiful buildings everywhere with architectural elements that are mostly unknown to me, seeing so much of it in the one place in any case is new. So I guess yes… but I wouldn’t say the eastern elements are that strong.
WLB: What are your favourite spots in Budapest?
Gaby: So hard to choose! As I said, the Margaret Bridge at night amazes me, as well as the whole bank of the river during sunset. Also, I like to go for long walks in the City Park. And… yes, I love the area between Ferenciek Square and Kalvin Square, where there’s the Faculty of Law and that orange church which I’m in love with. This area is also perfect because there is this small place where you can have delicious waffles to take away! I also love the Basilica’s rooftop…
WLB: Does Budapest inspire you on any level?
Gaby: Definitely yes. I opened the Pandora’s box here… I have more free time and I like to walk around, get lost and I always happen to find a new magic place, corner, street, building… that inspires me, makes me think a lot. Budapest has pushed me, got me closer to my real self. Also, I started here a project that has been in my mind for long… all this inspiration is becoming words in my blog.
WLB: Do you like Hungarian cuisine? What is your favourite food?
Gaby: Yes! And I also love to do it… so this is the perfect match. It’s not that I eat Hungarian dishes often, but I managed to try the basics: lángos, goulash, chicken paprika, palacsinta… I’ve been promised Rakott Burgonya so that will be the next Hungarian dish I try!
WLB: Which is the city's least appealing side?
Gaby: Here I agree with most of the people, it’s really sad to see so many homeless people all around the city.
WLB: Do you know any Hungarian?
Gaby: I’ve learnt a few basic words and I like to use them on a daily basis, I think it shows respect and interest toward the culture that’s hosting me for this period of time.
Also, I had the chance to meet a lot of Hungarians and that makes me really happy, I haven’t been living in a bubble of international illusion, isolated from the real Budapest. I’ve tried to experience the city as a local, sharing the experience with them and I have to admit that these people are awesome!
WLB:
Are you planning to stay here sometimes in the future?
Gaby: It’s over for me. I’m leaving and I’m happy because I know I’ve made the most of it. I’ve explored as much as my feet allowed me, I tried flavours, I met people, I felt that Budapest was my place for several months. But, who knows… maybe something brings me back here in the future.
WLB: What would you change about Budapest?
Gaby: I would take care of the homeless people and I would increase people’s quality of life. It seems there’s a big social class of a medium level, which is cool, but it’s also perceptible that there is a large number of people, mainly middle age, I’d say, which seems to be more humble. I think it’d be really important to equalise the social classes to a higher level.
One last thing, I’m happy that I was the excuse for many of my friends to come and get to know this beautiful Budapest.
Megjelent első bookazine-unk, ne maradj le róla!
Már 15 éve lélegzünk összhangban a fővárossal. Jubileumi kiadványunkban mindent megtalálsz, ami magazinunk és eddigi munkánk esszenciája. Gasztronómia, kultúra, városi legendák és Budapest arcai, interjúk, történetek és a legjobb helyek – úgy, ahogyan mi látjuk a fővárost.
Rendeld meg itt vagy keresd a nagyobb könyvesboltokban!
hirdetés
