Caving in Budapest - By Suparna Ghansham

Written By: Suparna Ghansham

Category: Personal Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Suparna Ghansham takes us on a thrilling journey with her personal essay, "Caving in Budapest," submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This piece, categorized under Personal Essay, captures the spirit of adventure and the unexpected camaraderie formed while exploring the intricate cave systems beneath Budapest. Suparna's vivid recollections from July 2016 encapsulate the essence of exploration and the unique experiences found in unexpected places.

About the Work

In "Caving in Budapest," Suparna Ghansham masterfully weaves a narrative rich with adventure and introspection. Her writing reflects a keen sense of observation, capturing the thrill of exploration and the companionship forged in challenging circumstances. The essay's mood is both exhilarating and reflective, offering readers a glimpse into the transformative power of adventure and the profound lessons learned from it.

Caving in Budapest

Original Submission by Suparna Ghansham

My mind has travelled back to July 2016. It is in Budapest, a city full of surprises and hospitality workers who think sparkling water is a close equivalent of ambrosia, offering it everywhere I went to have a meal or a drink.

I saw a BBC documentary talking about tunnel caving in Budapest a couple of weeks before I was scheduled to arrive there, and I was sold. It talked about it not being suitable for claustrophobics; I wasn’t and am not one. It then said it was a must for adventure seekers if in that delightful city; I was and am one. I signed up.

The day arrived. We had to meet outside a certain station in the centre of the city, and there I saw other adventure seekers raring to go, introducing one another, telling them where they were from. I joined in, exchanged some pleasantries as well, and was asked, “Have you done this before?”, to which I replied in the negative, but I did tell him I was over the moon to have made it to this day, and I was just hoping I’d make it alive on the other side, so I could celebrate to a drink or ten.

We were suited up. The guide said to us, “Put your belongings in the lockers. Leave your phones. If you lose your phone in those caves, it is lost forever.” Begrudgingly, letting sagacity and discernment take over, we left out phones in the locker, wishing we had other ways to capture the moments we would spend in the caves.

Helmets with little torches were placed on our heads, and we strapped our faces in them, while being led to a hole in the ground. There was a ladder, probably about 10 meters long, which we had to go down. Boom. We were 33 feet below the ground.

We were assigned numbers and formed a line, and were told each of us had to look out for the person behind us. Behind me was an over 6-foot-tall Dutch man and here I was his little 5’1” protector. We smirked at this, and he said, “We’re in this together, perhaps more of me and less of you, but we’re together.”

We slinked through the first cave, which wasn’t narrow as such and kept slinking downwards. The openings got smaller and smaller, as we shimmied our way through. There was a point where I got stuck, well, that is to say, my behind, but I was pushed through with success, thanks to my Dutch ‘behind’.

This kept going for about an hour, when we arrived at this huge limestone cave where we could see sea creature fossils embedded in the ceiling. It was cold, but beautiful. We all sat there for a bit, taking a break, admiring nature, and its stunning peculiarities.

There was more to come and we were warned that it was going to get more slippery. We slunk on, and it did indeed get more slippery, as I fell and cut my upper lip. The first thought that popped into my head was, “It’s a battle scar.” We had reached the lowest cave at this point and it was time to climb back upwards. There we were hoisting ourselves up, which I couldn’t do at that point, mostly because of exhaustion, but thank you to the universe, I had the guide and my Dutch ‘behind’ guarding my back.

We reached the ladder and climbed back up the 10 feet to get to the surface. What I felt that day is a feeling that I have not experienced. Adrenalin, yes, but we actually bled, sweated, and some of us cried at the end, because it was a joy that had never been experienced.

It was a true character-building exercise and to this day, I reap from the lessons those three hours in the caves under the exquisite city that is Budapest.

END (654 words)

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, organized by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates diverse voices and creative expressions. This esteemed platform encourages writers and poets worldwide to share their unique perspectives and stories, fostering a global community of creativity and inspiration.

We extend our gratitude to Suparna Ghansham for sharing her captivating essay, "Caving in Budapest," with us. Her vivid storytelling and personal reflections offer a compelling glimpse into the world of adventure and personal growth. We are delighted to feature her work in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.