O’er the hills… In the mysterious country of Hungary, hidden within the hills (commonly known as mountains by the natives) and trickles of rivers and streams lies the capital, Budapest. At a glance, this town is speckled with country homes, short office buildings, and Muggle vehicles that resemble the Polish Cadillac (it is said that the Muggle Pope has blessed the Polish Cadillac since it is so small that a sin couldn’t possibly be committed inside it). Besides that, it could be said that ancient castles and ruins can be found around every corner, which would be a most accurate statement if Budapest had over a hundred corners. The castles somewhat mark Budapest as a key magical location, but it still remains undiscovered for the most part—thanks to the numerous hills covering the town and its surrounding areas. Because of the hills, the common Muggle often walks past areas of potential magic; however, we at The Quibbler feel it is important for our fellow witches and wizards to know about all Budapest has to offer. As is with many European countries, all the action happens in the City Square, which, quite obviously, does not exclude magical action. Different shops and restaurants line the Square, but there is one particular shop that does not stand out at all. If you’re up for finding it, look for a shop called Antique Apples. It used to be a very well known brothel for witches and wizards, but since no one could find it too easily, it is now the wizards’ Budapest’s souvenir shop. There, you will find key chains, T-shirts (sizes for hunchbacks, trolls, and goblins included), collectible spoons, hats (also available with holes for horns), bags, and sunburn lotion. If you’re going to come all the way to Budapest, you might as well leave with a little something to remember your trip by! In the center of the City Square is the clock tower—grand for telling time, which is all Muggles really use it for. It’s quite nice that anyone staring at the clock tower is usually staring up at the actual clock because it will allow witches and wizards to use their wands to tap the twelfth brick up (it has seven chipped corners) three times, at which point the bricks will part (in a similar fashion as the bricks leading to Diagon Alley in London, England) to reveal a pub that for some time has been believed to exist only in legends, St. Mungo’s Pub. Originally the Street Pub (later abbreviated as the St. Pub and then called the Saint Pub), a certain Leon Mungo opened history’s very first pub. However, in his efforts to taste each and every food item and beverage (in one sitting) offered at his pub, he became drunk, naturally. Unfortunately, something went awry and what was mistaken for a hangover was soon legally deemed madness. It was then that half of Mr. Mungo’s pub was turned into a hospital whilst the other half was used as a pub. However, word got out about Mungo’s condition and the pub soon came to be known as St. Mungo’s Hospital, which, for some odd reason, didn’t help business. Hoping to save the pub, Mungo’s sister purchased a building near the Ministry of Magic, where she transported her brother and cared for him, at which point the new building was deemed St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. The pub did regain its business, but hardly anyone remembered how to enter it. But remember—the twelfth brick! And remember to eat the pea soup before it eats you! Traveling out of the City Square, no matter which way you go, you’ll run to the hills—literally. As stated before, Budapest’s geography is made up of many hills, the most well known being Castle Hill, where the most elite Budapest residents live. Also nearby is the beautiful Danube River, flanked by medieval ruins, baroque palaces, Gothic cathedrals, Old World villages, and imperial cities. In this fairytale setting, Muggles hardly realize the magical aura, which made it a perfect place for the 890 AD Wizarding World Olympics. Atop Rolling Hill, you can still visit the ruins of the Olympic games that took place there. Once every two or three years, dueling contests take place at Rolling Hill now, so since the date is indefinite, visits to this popular tourist attraction must be reserved well ahead of time and once you get to Rolling Hill, guided tours cost twenty galleons per person. With this Destination guide, you’re bound to have an enjoyable time while at Budapest, Hungary, which is why you may contently say, “I have enjoyed myself very much” in Hungarian: Nagyon jól éreztem magam (pronounced NAW-dyon yohl AR-rehs-tehm MAW-gawm). Have fun! |