BEAUTIFUL BUDAPEST?

I just had a wonderful weekend at the Medikus Kupa  (Medical Cup) competition that took place in Budapest. It was fun, and rewarding for a number of reasons: firstly, my school were the best overall having claimed the gold medal in 2 out of 4 events, I travelled with Imoh and Tahir, both of which were awesome company, I stayed with two lovely young ladies who made me feel very at home with their cozy apartment and lovely meals; it was also a rest, a separation from the hustle and bustle that has characterized my town of Debrecen. Plus, a day before I left, I didn’t plan to go! Totally spur of the moment, but totally worth it.

Last year, when I attended the Medikus Kupa at Pecs, it was announced that the event would hold in Budapest this year, there were general groans all around, because everyone has been to Buda at one point, and it wasn’t something to look forward to, as we thought there was no way it would beat the Pecs trip in terms of excitement – it didn’t. But then, in all fairness, it wasn’t half bad at all. I have already mentioned the reasons why, so if you missed it, you might want to start reading from the beginning.

I am not a fan of big cities or crowds. I love less populated, self-sufficient cities, because more often than not, there is little noise, lower crime rates, and a comparative tranquil. That’s why I prefer Abuja to Lagos, and Debrecen to Budapest. Abuja is not exactly a small town, but when you compare it with Lagos… let’s leave it at that. In light of this admission, I had developed the same attitude towards Buda that I had developed towards Lagos – go in, shop, do what you have to do, and get out as quickly as possible. I had to travel alone, because I had failed to meet the registration deadline to travel with the rest of the school, a move that has profited me two years in a row; the journey was quiet and uneventful, just as I like it, I got in, met my host who was lovely, and I started looking around the town. Now Lagos and Budapest have in common that they are larger cities, highly populated, and crime rates higher than the rest of their respective countries combined (sue me, you Lagos people!), but there the similarities stop. Budapest is organized. Whoever planned that town took into cognizance the fact that it is a big town with a large population and put in a transportation system so efficient, you could plan weeks in advance, it has a variety of opportunities, as well as a variety of options, which I would admit is similar to a town like Lagos, but with beautiful organization. I found myself, for the first time in my life liking a big city.

Aside the fact that I had wonderful hosts, I could picture myself actually working and thriving in that town. Everyone goes about their own business, it is a rowdy town, but still very organized, and I was attracted to that. I no longer have any untoward reservations concerning Budapest – I still am not a fan of the typical cosmopolitan/metropolitan city, but as I travel back to my lovely Debrecen, I do so with an open mind, knowing that inasmuch as I would like to base in a small, self-sufficient town, I will leave my options open, and see how God will lead me. It was a lovely trip, I have no regrets, and I look forward to even more adventures of a similar and enlightening nature.