After a slow start in the morning, we finally got into gear around 12:30pm and headed out into the big bad world to eat something. We found a specific market that Mari had wanted to see, but in terms of food, it definitely wasn't a 'Riga'. Instead we went a nearby cafe that turned out to be pretty damn good. I had Letcho (spiced Hungarian stewed vegetables) with quail eggs and an absolutely ripping peanut and banana milkshake, maybe even shake of the trip thus far (or the one in Nida, not sure).

With our bellies full we began a fairly long walk towards the Széchenyi Baths, via Andrassy Utca, one of the main boulevards in Pest. The baths are located within a park so we checked that out first. By the time we got into the baths we were pretty damn sweaty, given it was around the 30 mark and we walked in the sun for ages, so it was good to get in the water again (even if it was 37-38 degree thermal water). The Széchenyi Baths are the biggest of a number of thermal baths around Budapest, some of which have been used for more than 500 years. It was pretty packed in the main pools, but fortunately not ridiculous. We stayed there for a little under 3 hours until we had pruned out hard, by which point we felt reasonably revived.

After the baths we headed to the city centre so Mari could buy some dolls as gifts for her relatives, before eating something small and heading back to the hostel.

One unfortunate observation I should point out at this stage regarding Budapest relates to the local population. It was something that we both noticed quickly - there are quite a few rude people here. In basically every place we have visited so far on this trip, the people have come off as very nice and friendly, or at the the very least polite. Though we have come across some nice locals here, there are an usually high number of a*******s as well. It's not just something we have noticed in our own interactions with the people, but the way they interact with each other as well. I think it's a case of cultural difference to an extent, but unfortunately it's something that takes some shine off what is otherwise a pretty cool city. I think for Mari she feels the difference even more than I do. Often it's small things, but they're ones that you notice.

One of the most likely places to see a*******s in Budapest seems to be on the bus. An example which took place today on the way back to the hostel:
Shortly after we got on the bus, a homeless guy got on. This guy was clearly extremely destitute, he looked in bad health and could only walk with a stick. He may have been a little mentally ill, it was hard to tell, but he has this sad look on his face like life had been a massive dump on him for a long time. He also smelled quite a bit, mainly of urine, however it wasn't to the point where it was completely unbearable - although the Hungarians didn't seem to think so. The moment he got on people started to crowd up the front of the bus, trying to get as far away from him as possible. There were many holding their noses and making noises of disgust, like when a student farts in a primary school classroom and all the others get really dramatic about it. Yeah, that's what they were like.... A bunch of grown adults acting like pre-teens, being as rude as possible. It could also be said that many of the people could hardly be considered the apogee of cleanliness either. It was quite sad, and must have just felt like yet another humiliation for the poor guy. There was nothing subtle about the whole episode at all. The only person on the whole bus who showed any compassion for the guy was the woman who he sat down next to - she helped him get into his seat, even though she was probably confronted by the smell more than anyone. But overall, I have to say the behaviour of most of those people left a bad taste in the mouth.