The week of August 10th-17th was filled with music. Budapest hosted the 23rd annual Sziget Music Festival on Obudai Island. Since 1993, the Island of Freedom has been a place of music, carnival, theatre and exhibition. One has the choice of buying a one-day pass or week passes that last for 5-7-days. In early April I grabbed a cheap one-day pass to see Alt-J headline on Wednesday, the 12th. I had such a good time, that I later purchased a second one-day pass for Saturday, to see Major Lazer and Kings of Leon.

This was set to be my first experience at a European music festival. I was intrigued by the idea of it, and I wondered how it would compare to American music festivals. I had only ever been to Atlanta Midtown Music Festival, which ended up being more of a flood than a festival. In my mind I saw chaotic images of colors, trippy lights, and endless waves of debauchery that one can only ever find in lawless Europe. I knew that I was going to have to blend into a diverse crowd of cultures from all across the continent.

I spent the entire weekend before the festival simply planning my outfit. Was I going to go for the dirty hippy look? The boho-chic worn by celebs at Coachella? Eventually I just gave up, and decided to wear whatever would keep me cool. Europe had recently suffered an intense heat wave, with highs in the 30s. I prepared to spend all day under the glare of the sun, by wearing a very non-festival outfit; a crop top and a breezy maxi skirt.

WEDNESDAY
I met up with my friend Dani who, coincidentally, was also sporting a fab crop top and maxi skirt. I also met her brother Joel, a visitor from England. After cramming together into a train car filled with festival-goers, we followed the massive crowd to a bridge adorned with billowing, colorful flags. We walked across the river to Obudai Island- The Island of Freedom.

The island was a sprawling city of food trucks and dirty, cramped camp grounds. I thanked God that unlike the campers, I could later go home to my soft bed in the city. The sun was already high in the sky, and I felt like it was personally attacking me. Desperate for shade, we searched for the nearest bar. Trees and grass were scarce near the stages. Clouds of dust filled the air with each step. At the bar, we wondered if we had made a mistake by arriving at the festival too early. Were we set to die in the heat in this crowded, dusty hell?

Luckily, we found things to do while we waited for the evening shows. We played carnival games in the old-fashioned funfair, and enjoyed fattening food from the army of food trucks. By the time that Alt-J finally arrived on stage, I was physically exhausted but filled with excitement. Their dreamy, indie songs soothed by aches. They played a fantastic show.

SATURDAY
In the afternoon, I met up with Patrick, Gaz, Jolan, and Eszter. This time I had ditched the festival outfit, though I still prepared to beat the heat once more. The temperature was even higher than before by noon, leveling off at around 39 degrees celsius. The crowds were also worse, and we endured long lines at the bars. We somehow fought our way to a shady bar and stayed there for most of the afternoon. Since I had fully explored the island on Wednesday, I knew where to take everyone while we waited for the evening shows. The funfair was packed but worth it for the silly pictures. We also explored the art tents.

I drank twice as much, and sweat twice as much, if not more. With our hair, lungs, and feet caked with dust and dirt, we danced to Major Lazer and Kings of Leon. Major Lazer was a blast, and the festival suddenly felt more like an American dance club than a Euro festival.

Sziget was a wonderful experience. I cannot wait to see the lineup for next year. I need to thank my friends Dani, Joel, Patrick, Gaz, Jolan, and Eszter for joining me in the festival festivities. It would not have been the same experience without them.