WOHNUNGSSUCHE

Bye-bye Budapest, hallo Berlin. After two weeks of traipsing around Europe, it was time to start organising Berlin.

First challenge: finding an apartment. Jana and I spent four days visiting apartments in a few of Berlin's districts. Some good, some average, some small, some expensive. A real mixed bag. Good news ~ we managed to find one that will be my home for the next 12 months, at least. As of next week, home is a shared apartment right off Bergmannstraße in Kreuzberg.
One very happy/excited Steph.

Second challenge: getting used to the U-Bahn. The map may seem confusing, but given half a day and the criss-crossing U- and S-Bahn's were a mystery no more. Pronouncing half the station names, on the other hand... Möckernbrücke, Schlesisches Tor and Gneisenaustraße, to name a few.

Wilkommen bei Deutschland!

BUDAPEST

The past week has been spent back at my hostel away from home - Carpe Noctem OG, in Budapest. I love this place more than I can describe, and I have been so happy to be back with my Carpe family. I've now visited in all 4 seasons, and each time the city has something different to offer. Highlight of my week would be the afternoon Jess & I spent in the 40ºC Szechenyi thermal baths - watching the steam wafting across and above the hot water's surface. Wow.

Otherwise, it has been a week full of: thermal baths, ruin bars, too many sculled drinks, strawpedos, glitter, leopard print tracksuits, breakfast beers, lunchtime wines, family dinners (100% detrimental to my arteries and general well-being), eating pancakes without hands (35 seconds), 2-for-1 Arriba margaritas and a general confusion of Hungarian currency.

No. of times bag lost: 2

No. of times bag found: 2 (phew)

No. of visits to McDonald's: lost count

~ You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave ~

MERCAT DE LA BOQUERIA

One of my favourite places we visited in Barcelona, right near where we stayed off La Rambla. A feast for both the eyes and stomach, these food markets are rich with colour - fruit & veg, lollies, chillies, herbs, spices and preserved fruit are everywhere you turn. After taste-testing Spanish sweets and cheeses, we sat and watched the hustle & bustle go by whilst enjoying fresh fruit salad and juices from the markets. 

Today marked the end of our stay in Barcelona - time to leave sunny Spain, but where to next? 

☀ ☀ ☀

GAUDI ♦/♦ BARCA

Gaudi and Barcelona are two things that go hand in hand. The 20th century architect has left his footprint all over the city - we encountered Gaudi everywhere from the Sagrada Familia, to Parc Güell and Casa Batllo. Beautiful.

We spent a sunny Valentine's Day enjoying a picnic with excessive amounts of delicious cheese and bread in the colourful grounds of Parc Güell. Still can't believe it's Winter time. Can't wait to visit this charming city in Summer...

Favourites from Gaudi: his mosaics. So choppy and colourful ~ /◄∆ \/∆ ▼|♦ ~► ∆ \▲ \ ♦\ ~

BARCELONA

Sangria, tapas, cerveza, siestas, vino, paella and sunshine. Wintertime in Spain = 19ºC. Beautiful old buildings reaching high above narrow alleyways. Catalonian flags draped over balconies. Groups of footballers zigzagging across the sand, bringing the beach to life, even in Winter. 

Jess & I spent a delicious afternoon with tapas - cheese, chorizo, cheese, roasted tomatoes and capsicums, cheese, chilli and some more cheese. YUM.

Oh, Barcelona! Your delicious food, deceptively alcoholic bevs and winter sunshine have warmed me to the core. Muchas gracias.