When Adventure and Mishap Collide
I'm an adventurer at heart, so there was a reason why I decided to take the hike to Liberty Statue in Budapest. I was attending a River Cruise Expo, and it all started when I came across a bridge, and I wanted to capture some stunning pictures of the statues nearby. I was by myself and with time on my hands, I decided to cross the bridge and explore the other side, the Pest side. The weather was perfect and the views were breathtaking, but little did I know that this hiking trip would turn out to be a comedy of errors.
The Hike:
Once I crossed the bridge, I saw a path that went further up the hill and couldn't resist the temptation to follow it. Little did I know, it was the path leading to the Liberty Statue - The Lady on the Hill. With each step I took, the view got better, and the urge to keep going got stronger. But at the back of my mind, I was aware that I was alone and didn't know how long the hike would take. Every time I thought about turning back all I could think about was that it might be around the bend in the path, so I continued on up the hill.
It was a simple hike, nothing too challenging. As I made my way up the hill, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the surrounding scenery was. Trees and bushes were everywhere, and the air smelled fresh and clean. Finally, I reached the top and was rewarded with a breathtaking view of the city. I pulled out my phone and started snapping away, trying to capture the moment. After taking a few pictures, I decided to sit down and enjoy the view. It was so peaceful up there, with only the sound of birds chirping. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, feeling completely relaxed.
The Slip-Up:
As I was making my way down the hillside, admiring the serene surroundings, I suddenly lost my footing and felt as if I was experiencing a slow-motion fall. The sudden jerk of my body trying to catch myself, caused me to feel an excruciating pain in my wrist. I scrambled back up on my feet, hoping that no one had witnessed my clumsiness. But, alas, I was not that lucky. Despite refusing help, I had to bear the throbbing pain in my wrist as I continued walking down the hill. With a packed schedule of lunch, meetings, and dinner ahead of me for the rest of the day, I knew it was going to be a tough day. As soon as I returned to my room, I immediately wrapped my wrist and applied ice to it. However, being the stubborn traveler that I am, I went on with my day, determined to make the most out of it.
Swollen and Sidelined:
The next day, however, my wrist was even more swollen and painful, and I knew I needed medical assistance. It turned out that my comedy of errors had led me to a humorous story about navigating medical care abroad (language barrier and confusion - both on my part). Seeking medical care in a foreign country can be daunting, but I had to try. Unfortunately, I first went to the wrong facility, which just added to my frustration. But I didn't give up and was able to find the right one. The doctor at the correct facility was a great communicator and spoke great English, which helped put me at ease. I had to go through numerous x-rays but I knew it was necessary. After the tests, I found out that I had a broken wrist, which I had hoped would not be the case. On the bright side, I was able to walk out of the facility with multiple X-rays, a cast, and a follow-up appointment for the next day. The best part? All of this medical treatment was available to me at a low cost of $60. I didn't even mind the one-day delay in my trip home as I was just grateful to have found affordable and good-quality healthcare in a foreign country. It was apparent that they spend more money on healthcare than the facilities, they could use a little TLC.
Lessons Learned:
Looking back on my experience, I realized that there were some valuable lessons to be learned for future travelers:
Always take extra precautions when hiking or engaging in other outdoor activities. Accidents can happen, so it's important to be as prepared as possible.
Seek medical care as soon as possible if you experience any injuries or illnesses abroad. Don't wait until it's too late.
Research healthcare options in advance, so you know what to expect if you need medical attention while traveling.
The Takeaway:
From this experience, I learned that one should always be prepared for any unplanned adventures that may come their way when traveling. It's essential to have a plan in place and to make sure that you're prepared for any situation that may arise. Hiking is a fun way to get exercise and explore new places, but it's important to be vigilant and take precautions. Ultimately, my trip to the Liberty Statue turned into an unexpected adventure, giving me a witty memory to share with others. However, it also taught me the importance of being prepared and cautious while traveling so that we can have the best experiences possible.
Just for the fun of it, I'm including some pictures of the inside of some of the ships I was able to tour.