If there’s one thing certain about this year’s summer, it’s uncertainty. While the coronavirus situation is somewhat manageable currently in Hungary and most of the restrictions are gone, it doesn’t mean we can all go back automatically to our previous lifestyle. We have to accept that the new normal is that everything can change in an instant.
For someone who has been a serious (too serious) planner all her life, this is not an easy thing to accept, though. Also, planning for me is always part of the fun, so I couldn’t resist making a summer bucket list of things I’m looking forward to doing this summer. We’ll see what life brings in the coming weeks – whether I can add a trip here or there or scale down totally and come up with new at-home activities, I don’t know. I think we’ve all learned to greatly appreciate small things that seemed mundane in the past like going out for a walk or having a nice glass of wine with friends on a Friday evening, so at this point I’m ready to embrace anything.
I know most of us have imagined a very different kind of summer, but it is what it is and the only thing we can do know is adapt and make the most of the situation.
Read in the park
Our newest weekend (sometimes weekday early evening) habit is packing up a cozy blanket, some snacks, a cup of coffee (and SPF!) and trekking out to the nearby park to spend a few blissful hours just lounging around and reading. I’ve really got my reading mojo back after struggling with it in the beginning of lockdown, and have read so many gems lately. I often share my most recent reads on Instagram stories, but you can also check out what I’m reading on Goodreads as well.
Go on a wild herb foraging tour
I’ve came across this event a few weeks ago on Facebook, but June has been so rainy here that I couldn’t try this yet. It’s organized by local foraging experts in the nearby mountains – throughout a 3-4 hour long forest walk they teach you how to identify wild edible and medicinal plants and give you tips on how to cook and prepare them. I’ve been really into learning about herbs and incorporating them into my cooking routines lately, so this seems like both an educational and fun program.
Watch a movie at a drive-in
Drive-in movies are making a comeback nowadays – I think I’ve seen at least 4 new ones opening in Budapest this summer. I’ve never actually been to one before, so this will definitely be a unique experience.
Cruise around with an electric scooter
I’ve tried this a few weeks ago and have been hooked ever since, though so far, I’ve treated them more like a fun program than a serious alternative to other forms of transport, though at one point, it could become one.
Due to the double pressure from climate change and the coronavirus, more and more cities are pushed to fundamentally rethink their transport system and I really, really hope we’re starting to move towards establishing a more sustainable transport culture by diversifying our forms of mobility and exploring the roles different vehicles could play in a greener transport system. Electric scooters are not perfect, they have their own problems from safety to sustainability issues as well (here’s a great article on the pros and cons on e-scooters), but if done right, they too can play a role in disrupting the dominance of cars in a city.
I’m still a bit wary of going among the cars, so I kept my scootering activity to deserted city roads so far, but it’s still so much fun.
Go on a thematic guided city walk
Thematic guided city walks are great for discovering hidden gems and learning about a city’s secrets, interesting characters, exciting or controversial stories, and so much more. Just Google what kind of thematic walks are available in your place, I’m sure there’ll be plenty of cool ones to choose from. Added bonus: you also help local businesses and tourism service providers.
Make homemade jams and fruit syrups
Ever since I was a kid, my Mum has been making homemade jams and syrups from fresh summer fruits. Usually, this is a week-long activity – she’s not kidding around with one or two jars, the minimal batch is around 20. This year, I wanna try making some completely on my own as well – I’m thinking rhubarb jam with ginger or a raspberry and basil syrup.
Buy the perfect vintage summer dress
I don’t really have a seasonal shopping list this year, but I really want to find the perfect vintage summer dress – 90s style with small flower prints. Now that the shops are open, I’m looking forward to exploring my favorite vintage stores in the city.
Try a new water sport
Water sports have always been something I tied to seaside vacations, even though there are a lot of places in the country and even near Budapest where anyone can try and practice them. My fiancé has been doing both windsurfing and wakeboarding ever since he was a kid, so I think it’s time for me to take some lessons (or try the more relaxing stand up paddle boarding, while he speeds around).
Tend to my small balcony garden
I’ve read an article recently about a guy who created a garden on his tiny 6th floor balcony that basically makes enough produce to sustain his family for the whole year and now I’m totally determined to start experimenting with my own little edible garden.
Go on a world culinary tour
Trying local dishes are always an essential part of a travel experience for me. Of course, nothing compares to actually being there and experiencing local cuisine in its original setting, but this summer, we’ll probably have to be content with recreating this experience at home. I’ve done an extensive research and collected a bunch of restaurants (preferably smaller, more authentic ones frequented by expats) that serve different regional cuisines. Social distancing alternative: you can also try throwing a thematic dinner party at home for friends or family.
+ 1 Enjoy these perfect summer moments
I’ve put together this list of perfect summer moments 2 years ago and while I rarely reread my old writings because you ALWAYS find something you should have written differently, I wouldn’t change a thing about that one. Every single one brings back that summer feeling for me and they are still relevant in this strange new reality we’re currently living in.
What are your plans for this summer?
