A Week Off: Running, Cinema, and Unexpected Encounters by Lionel

During our spring break in April, the weather in Budapest was perfect. Instead of staying inside, I decided to use that free time to explore the city differently — slowly, on my own pace.

One morning, I woke up early and went to Margaret Island, a peaceful green space in the middle of the Danube. I’d heard that there was a dedicated running track there, and I hadn’t gone for a run in a long time. It was a great way to see the city in a new light — quiet, almost empty, with just a few early risers out and about.

While running, I quickly realized that I wasn’t in the same shape I used to be. Distances that once felt easy were suddenly tiring. I had to fight the urge to stop several times. It reminded me just how unforgiving sports can be — progress takes time, and losing it happens fast. Still, seeing other people running around me helped me push through. I wasn’t alone, and that made a difference.

Later in the week, I went to the cinema to watch Sinners, a film set in the 1930s. The movie was in English with Hungarian subtitles. Even though I usually understand English well, the old-fashioned accents and expressions made it hard to follow. I was surprised by how much that affected my understanding — a good reminder that language is more than just vocabulary.

Another day, I decided to look for a part of the city I hadn’t seen yet and ended up at Ludovika Square. As I was walking, two Hungarian guys came up to me and asked where I was from. We ended up chatting for a few minutes — a small but meaningful exchange that reminded me how nice it is when locals take the first step to connect.

This week off gave me the chance to try new things, challenge myself physically, and connect with both the city and its people — in ways I didn’t expect.