Budapest Christmas Market

Friday, February 11, 2011

Sorry you guys are all pumped for Valentine's Day this week, and we have a Christmas post! We are still catching up on all the heaps of photos we have yet to share from our travels.

I thought we were saying goodbye to Christmas markets and hot wine in Vienna, but I was pleasantly surprised to see them when we arrived in Budapest! The temperature outside was so incredibly cold, but the place was still packed with people. Little wooden booths were lined up in rows, selling gifts, ornaments, and all sorts of hand crafted things. More booths had freshly cooked Hungarian food, smoked meats/sausages, and baked desserts like chimney cakes. Gluhwein (hot, spiced wine) was served all over the place to warm up cold fingers. The building next door was a giant advent calendar--a window is opened every day leading up to Christmas. Trees and buildings were decked with lights and decorations.

This Christmas Market may have been even better that Vienna's, just because of all the delicious food for sale! Wooden picnic tables were stuffed with visitors taking a snack break. Yuriy and I soon joined them with giant sausages and mustard, shish-kabobs, and yummy homey potatoes. There is something about Hungarian food that just hits the spot. Every meal we had was so hearty. Some tastes reminded us of something our Ukrainian moms would cook. Later we learned during a tour that the typical Hungarian meal has 2000 calories-- it's no wonder everything tasted so good! Hungarians deep fry everything, even fruit. The "fast food" of the Communist Era in Budapest was a sausage with mustard and bread--filling, yummy, and cheap. I found myself craving sausage with mustard all the days we were in Budapest and we came back to the market just for that.

You only have 10 months to wait until next Christmas season. If you can, venture over to Budapest's Christmas markets and you will thank me, even if you gain a few pounds. 

- Julia

P.S. This is the last post for Budapest. Next is Ukraine!


































15 comments :

  1. I love seeing more and more of these Christmas markets no matter what time of year it is! And I love living vicariously through your travels for now. Thanks for sharing and hope you two have a lovely Valentine's Day!

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  2. rooster testicles stew!

    k besides that everything looks delicious!
    i love christmas markets!!

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  3. that santa shot is so great...and polka dot mugs!?!?

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  4. you two have perfected the craft of causing some serious jealousy within me! grrr! hope you have a lovely valentines day in sunny australia!

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  5. Ahh! My eyes went wild. This is the city I would love to visit the most. I love the "homey" feel.

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  6. Everything looks really beautiful there! I love how even though it was freezing cold, tons of people still ventured out to enjoy the market! I noticed though, hardly anyone was wearing gloves?!

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  7. I love Gluhwein! I heard about it and had it for the first time in Germany a couple Christmases ago. Also, those polka dotted dishes are so cute! I'm glad you added them in. : )

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  8. Rooster testicles? Seriously? They aren't big on vegetarian items I see. Hope the sunny shores of Sydney live up to your expectations. Enjoy.

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  9. Laura- Thank you! We are spending Valentine's Day living in a camper van on the Australian coast. Not too shabby, eh?

    Kae- It's not our intention! I promise. But I can see how.

    Life Abroad- You're right. Maybe because all our photos are centered around food? I was wearing gloves at every moment I could, unless taking photos.

    Sally May- Sydney is the shiz. Feels like home, but then again not. It's a nice break from Asia!

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  10. OK, i know this is late but those dotted cups adn such are amazing. Great photos you have here. what a trip you;ve had thus far!!!

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  11. I love Christmas more than valentines anyways so this post is perfect right now. The hustle and bustle of that market is so fascinating and all the people bundled up in their furs is just so dreamy

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  12. All these markets/bazaars you keep going to look like so much fun! I need to start going to the local ones around here!

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  13. Anastasia- Someone on the blog said Vanvouver, BC is supposed to start a European style Christmas market this year. Lets all go! A lot closer to home than Budapest or Vienna.

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  14. Hi Julia/Yuriy, which part of Budapest was this lovely christmas market located?

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