My day without a tight schedule. At somewhere far away from home.
I started my job right after End-of-semester exams, in May ’19.
The job lasted until 31th August.
My semester + tutoring period started from 1st September.
I was caught up with my own projects and school until the end of October.
My European travel started from 19-27th October. I had a long to-do list everyday, and it was usually strictly scheduled due to opening times, bus tickets and other things; many things to see and learn.
Today was 27th – the last day. I would fly back home at 5pm from Budapest, Hungary.
And I had no tight plan. I decided, this would be the most normal day in my life.
I ran
I technically stopped jogging since July. The main reason was my post-work laziness. The marathon in Estonia was put off as well. In addition, after walking roughly 10km everyday in every city during this trip, I was having real problems with my ankles – it hurts spontaneously, and sometime I had to stop and let it rest.
However, the straight route by the Danube was so attractive to say no. Plus, this would be the last sunny day I could enjoy, before coming back to the darkness of Finland.
So yea, I just put on my shoes, hoodie on, music on, and went off.
When I ran, the inner peace just came back – like in May.
I used to have a dream – to wake up and do things I like in a new places all the times. Today, I was running at a city that I just got to know less than 48 hours ago. My ankles were okay, the weather was perfect – everything was just as my expectation. Had you been through this feeling would you know how pleasant it was.
From my hostel, I ran across the Danube to Margaret island – an island between “Buda” and “Pest” – this island was design to be a paradise for runners, with running tracks, beautiful park, zoo, gardens, ruins from Medieval times, and much more.
I didn’t feel tired at all – I meant, that kind of mentally tiresome when you had to do something. I got to do what I love doing, at a place where everything is new, waiting to be explored. Sometimes, happiness is just that simple.
I finished my run around 9, feeling happier and more soared than ever. From now until 2pm – when I had to leave to the airport – what should I spend my time at?
And I took a bath. Big one.
Do you know that Budapest is famous for its thermal baths – a big pool with heated water, which is proved to release stress, and good for your health? They built those baths like palaces, with everything from thermal baths indoor and outdoor, swimming pools, saunas, and more.
And I knew what to do.
Checking out from my hotel, I went to Széchenyi Thermal Bath – one of the oldest and most famous ones – using the “oldest metro in continental Europe”. I stayed there about 4 hours.
It was literally paradise on Earth, the place.
The sun was shining.
The thermal was so well heated and refreshing. You can just stay in a corner for half an hour, relaxing. For me, this water had healed my painful ankles, freckled face, and whatever that was not healed yet.
e-lockers are located near the pool.
And this was how I spent my time there: bathing -> sunbathing + reading -> talking to other tourists -> napping -> repeat.
Sometimes, I came to a corner of the bath, watching some old locals playing chess. Despite the fact that we couldn’t speak each other’s language, we were doing the same thing: cherishing our best time here in Budapest.
And thanks to Széchenyi, my Sunday, as well as my Autumn trip, had had a happy ending.
Then I left
At last, all trips come to their ends.
I left Budapest, feeling refreshed like a new baked bun. I didn’t have much belongings – just some clothes, souvenirs, and a full storage of amazing memories.
At the airport, I met Lucia, as well as some of my friends – we were going back to Lappeenranta using Ryan Air’s budget flight.
Ending
So, my autumn trip in Europe was ended, at least for now. 9 days, 4 countries, and numerous stories yet to be told.
Till this date, I am till grateful to have been able to make this trip come true, in the way I wished, with the budget I paid, and the memories I made.
Khanh Tr.
moink20.com 