Still in Budapest. Should be called BUTTapest. I've seen 2 nakey butts today - one in the metro (crazy homeless man?) and one at Budapest's famous baths (he didn't get the swimsuit memo?). Buttapest. Hahha. I'm so funny, oh geez.
We leave tomorrow for an epic train journey to Praha (Prague, in Hungarian). If, or when, you come to Budapest, stay more than 2 days. We are leaving a LOT behind - meaning I need a trip back in my lifetime, soon. You just can't fit it all in, like Rick suggests (Rick Steves, that is - I still love him, but his timeline is OFF for Budapest man).
Today we saw the Jewish Quarter (beautiful), did some laundry (my fleece smells amazing), worked through the language barrier to buy train tickets (that are hand written, no lie. let's hope they are legit), then walked up to city park, had dinner at a "communist kitsch" cafe (freakin delicious! if I knew total economic equality tasted as good as my pineapple, ham, chicken, and rice dinner, I would have joined ages ago) and "took the waters".
Budapest's baths are basically a bunch of pools, some freezing, some lukewarm, some hot tub like. They are delightful, especially in the cool spring air. And if you can ignore the elderly couples macking. (Me and John refrained, of course. We're in public! And we were with a new friend - an American History teacher from CA.)
And when I used the word "cool" (in reference to the spring air), I'm using it lightly. It must have hit at least 75 today. I was wishing for a skirt when the sun was out.
4-5 cities left. All of a sudden its April? France seems so far away, and England even farther.
Much love.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
BudaPESHT
So, Ljubljana turned out to be pretty mellow, but me and John met up with Lea and Trisha, and it all ended up being gravy. Plus, we can now saw we got to sample Cockta, the local specialty. Actually, Cockta is a Slovenian soft drink. Under communism, Slovenia couldn't get Coca Cola (the horror!), and so they invented Cockta, which John likened to cough syrup, and Lea swore resembled home made root beer (out of all of us, she was the only one who kind of liked it).
On day 3 in Slovenia, we went to the Skocjan caves, the biggest cave in Europe (golly gee Batman! Bigger than the Batcave!). We went into it as an adventure - its also the hardest cave to reach as a tourist bound by public transit. Trisha, John and I took a 1.5 hour train to Divicia, then planned to hike to the cave (3 km). The only other way is by taxi, so we were told. But once we hopped off the train, some dude yelled at Trisha and me: "To Caves? Free shuttle! Free shuttle?"
John had gone to inquire about hitching on a tour bus that we thought was heading that way (oh hush, a coach full of children and parents? it would not have been dangerous) and the free shuttle, which I had only heard about on one website, seemed a bit sketch, more so because me and Trisha seemed alone. So, the geniuses we were, we told the guy that we were getting a hiking map for the way back, to please wait, and then inquired at the ticket office. It was legit, and so 1 free bus ride later, we visited the most incredible cave in the world. You have to see it to believe it.
So, after visiting the underworld and back (no Dante in sight), day 4 John and I spent at Lake Bled, the most adorable city ever. Ever. It was even Tito's favorite (the famous president of Yugoslavia - we walked by his vacation house at Bled!). Trisha and Lea told us about the disgustingly cute gondola-like boat ride you can take to the island in the lake, which has an old church that is the most popular place to be married in Slovenia, and since it was way cheaper than in Venice, we dove in and embraced the cheese.
Our boat guy was pretty elderly, but adorable (of course, he has to be! He shuttles lovers back and forth to the marriage island!), and he got us there and back, safe and sound (which was quite a feat - it stormed off and on all day, okay, well, when I say stormed, I mean rain, but when we were on the island, it was really windy!). The island has 99 steps to the church, which the groom traditionally climbs while carrying his bride to be. John and I skipped that part, but we did ring the wedding bell - 3x grants you a wish.
Which brings me to today: after an 8.5 hour bus ride from Ljubljana (where me and John utalized our train travel skills to secure a cabin all to ourselves - if you draw the chairs out, and draw the curtains, most people won't try and sit in your compartment unless they have to. Lea and Trisha have another method - they sit on the floor and pretend to do weird religious like meditation), we are now in Budapest. Exhausted, we checked into the hostel (free internet, ok beds, nice staff), bought some mega cheap chinese food, I went grocery shopping for brekkie, and we turned in early.
Well, John did. I stayed up to write this.
We're here for 3 nights, then on to Prague for 5 nights, then back to the UK (well, former UK, then UK). We're on the downhill of backpacking now. Sad really. I'm getting into the swing of it. We met Ruth today, a woman at the hostel who has been traveling for 7 months straight. Whoah. I don't think that's in my cards, but I'm now contemplating a summer trip before I head home for good. I still have to check Greece and Scotland off my list, you know. :)
Much love.
On day 3 in Slovenia, we went to the Skocjan caves, the biggest cave in Europe (golly gee Batman! Bigger than the Batcave!). We went into it as an adventure - its also the hardest cave to reach as a tourist bound by public transit. Trisha, John and I took a 1.5 hour train to Divicia, then planned to hike to the cave (3 km). The only other way is by taxi, so we were told. But once we hopped off the train, some dude yelled at Trisha and me: "To Caves? Free shuttle! Free shuttle?"
John had gone to inquire about hitching on a tour bus that we thought was heading that way (oh hush, a coach full of children and parents? it would not have been dangerous) and the free shuttle, which I had only heard about on one website, seemed a bit sketch, more so because me and Trisha seemed alone. So, the geniuses we were, we told the guy that we were getting a hiking map for the way back, to please wait, and then inquired at the ticket office. It was legit, and so 1 free bus ride later, we visited the most incredible cave in the world. You have to see it to believe it.
So, after visiting the underworld and back (no Dante in sight), day 4 John and I spent at Lake Bled, the most adorable city ever. Ever. It was even Tito's favorite (the famous president of Yugoslavia - we walked by his vacation house at Bled!). Trisha and Lea told us about the disgustingly cute gondola-like boat ride you can take to the island in the lake, which has an old church that is the most popular place to be married in Slovenia, and since it was way cheaper than in Venice, we dove in and embraced the cheese.
Our boat guy was pretty elderly, but adorable (of course, he has to be! He shuttles lovers back and forth to the marriage island!), and he got us there and back, safe and sound (which was quite a feat - it stormed off and on all day, okay, well, when I say stormed, I mean rain, but when we were on the island, it was really windy!). The island has 99 steps to the church, which the groom traditionally climbs while carrying his bride to be. John and I skipped that part, but we did ring the wedding bell - 3x grants you a wish.
Which brings me to today: after an 8.5 hour bus ride from Ljubljana (where me and John utalized our train travel skills to secure a cabin all to ourselves - if you draw the chairs out, and draw the curtains, most people won't try and sit in your compartment unless they have to. Lea and Trisha have another method - they sit on the floor and pretend to do weird religious like meditation), we are now in Budapest. Exhausted, we checked into the hostel (free internet, ok beds, nice staff), bought some mega cheap chinese food, I went grocery shopping for brekkie, and we turned in early.
Well, John did. I stayed up to write this.
We're here for 3 nights, then on to Prague for 5 nights, then back to the UK (well, former UK, then UK). We're on the downhill of backpacking now. Sad really. I'm getting into the swing of it. We met Ruth today, a woman at the hostel who has been traveling for 7 months straight. Whoah. I don't think that's in my cards, but I'm now contemplating a summer trip before I head home for good. I still have to check Greece and Scotland off my list, you know. :)
Much love.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
HELLO Eastern Europe!
I'm not really sure what I was expecting when I jaunted into Eastern Europe. In Slovakia, the train station was rough - as in, tourist office closed and moved (although we found it quickly), in need of renovation, and some scary noises - we heard someone scream in the bathroom, and decided it was best to hold the call of nature until we found a WC that wasn't down a dark, dark staircase. But once we started walking into the Old Town, it looked just like any other European city - kind of. Some of the buildings still screamed COMMUNISM! But mostly, the only difference between Bratislava and Germany was that I had no idea how to pronounce any of the street names.
Slovakia is still on their own currency (they change to the Euro in 2009) and so stuff still (seemed) mega cheap. We indulged in hot chocolate (under 2 USD) and I bought some handmade handicrafts for souvenirs. My math skills got a work out (quick: what does 450 Slovenian money mean in USD? Uh . . . 15 dollars, I think).
I'm now in Slovenia (after a glorious night in a real hotel in Graz that was above a grocery store - it was heaven. Huge shower, comfortable bed, cheap diet coke, what more could I want?), which is one of the most economically stable countries of the former Yugoslavia. its a neat little city, but there isn't a terrible amount to do. We're planning on two day trips (caves and Lake Bled), and then to veg a little. The prices are more in line with the rest of Europe, but we've found some cheap options. Burke for 1.30? I'm in. (Its like balaclava, but with meat). 5 euro pizzas? Yes m'am.
Plus, our hostel is strange (very very small) but wonderful in many ways (Hi, um, can you tell me where I can do some laundry? This shirt still seems like Austrian fried food and smoke . . . here? for free? I love Slovenia!). Although the bathroom floods with every shower, and there is only one toilet and one shower for 12 people, it hasn't been too big of a problem yet. Funny observation - I realized that my whole room not only speaks English, but is all from the USA. However, if you go next door, you won't understand a word anyone is speaking. Its all Slavic languages. Geographically separation in hostels? Kind of funny, but also a little thoughtful.
Much love.
Slovakia is still on their own currency (they change to the Euro in 2009) and so stuff still (seemed) mega cheap. We indulged in hot chocolate (under 2 USD) and I bought some handmade handicrafts for souvenirs. My math skills got a work out (quick: what does 450 Slovenian money mean in USD? Uh . . . 15 dollars, I think).
I'm now in Slovenia (after a glorious night in a real hotel in Graz that was above a grocery store - it was heaven. Huge shower, comfortable bed, cheap diet coke, what more could I want?), which is one of the most economically stable countries of the former Yugoslavia. its a neat little city, but there isn't a terrible amount to do. We're planning on two day trips (caves and Lake Bled), and then to veg a little. The prices are more in line with the rest of Europe, but we've found some cheap options. Burke for 1.30? I'm in. (Its like balaclava, but with meat). 5 euro pizzas? Yes m'am.
Plus, our hostel is strange (very very small) but wonderful in many ways (Hi, um, can you tell me where I can do some laundry? This shirt still seems like Austrian fried food and smoke . . . here? for free? I love Slovenia!). Although the bathroom floods with every shower, and there is only one toilet and one shower for 12 people, it hasn't been too big of a problem yet. Funny observation - I realized that my whole room not only speaks English, but is all from the USA. However, if you go next door, you won't understand a word anyone is speaking. Its all Slavic languages. Geographically separation in hostels? Kind of funny, but also a little thoughtful.
Much love.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Hallo! My Deutsch ist nicht so gut, ja!
Annie and I's trip has turned into more of an adventure than I originally expected. We've done some serious trekking the past few days, in a really great way, of course.
We started in Zurich, and being the banking capital of the world, you wouldn't believe the cost of living. The Swiss franc is about 1 to 1 with the dollar, but prices are way higher. We had a delicious, 7 franc dinner through of sausages and diet coke, so I'm not complaining.
Zurich was freezing, but Luzern (day 2) was absolutely gorgeous - it has a lake via a glacier (crystal clear) and hundreds of swans (who all want to be fed) and is surrounded by the Alps. It was pretty in a whole different way than my other Euro-City favorites.
That night we headed to Basel, to stay with a friend of Anne's from Greentree Church. Lindsey and her roommate (both chemical engineers from MO) were absolute dolls, and I justified splurging on dinner a Lebanese dinner and wine since my bed, internet, and laundry were all free. Trust me, you have not adequately appreciated clean clothes until your jeans no longer fit you. It is a new kind of heaven to slip into clothes that fit and no longer smell of smoke, Euro BO (not mine, promise), and greasy food. I was so happy, it was almost a little silly, but I was too satisfied in my beautiful, clean clothes to judge my emotions.
Thinking about it now still brings a smile to my face. Ahh.
We then jumped on a train to Salzburg - a whooping 7 hour train ride through the Swiss Alps. We were riding the sides of mountains, going through the middle of mountains, and watching the snow come and go on the ground. It was a beautiful ride, and we went through Lichtenstein, so now we can boast of our three country tour.
Then it was time for The Hills Are Alive . . . . Sound of Music tour baby. Tourist central, but wonderful all the same. Absolutely worth the 34 Euro ticket. We're both dying to watch the movie now, and I'm close to buying it on iTunes. But I shouldn't. I'm almost out of hard drive space. Whoops!
Today we landed in Vienna, which is BIG and beautiful. And finally, Rick Steves can guide us around - his Eastern Europe book includes Vienna, and we are renewing our passionate relationship together. I LOVE Rick Steves. Best travel books ever, including his cheese.
We have three nights here (we're staying in the old maid's room in a hotel, what an experience), and we're thinking about a quick day trip to Bratislava (Slovakia).
Internet is still a bit iff, but I'll communicate as best as possible.
Much love.
Auf Weidersahn!
We got to see a bit of Basel the next morning
We started in Zurich, and being the banking capital of the world, you wouldn't believe the cost of living. The Swiss franc is about 1 to 1 with the dollar, but prices are way higher. We had a delicious, 7 franc dinner through of sausages and diet coke, so I'm not complaining.
Zurich was freezing, but Luzern (day 2) was absolutely gorgeous - it has a lake via a glacier (crystal clear) and hundreds of swans (who all want to be fed) and is surrounded by the Alps. It was pretty in a whole different way than my other Euro-City favorites.
That night we headed to Basel, to stay with a friend of Anne's from Greentree Church. Lindsey and her roommate (both chemical engineers from MO) were absolute dolls, and I justified splurging on dinner a Lebanese dinner and wine since my bed, internet, and laundry were all free. Trust me, you have not adequately appreciated clean clothes until your jeans no longer fit you. It is a new kind of heaven to slip into clothes that fit and no longer smell of smoke, Euro BO (not mine, promise), and greasy food. I was so happy, it was almost a little silly, but I was too satisfied in my beautiful, clean clothes to judge my emotions.
Thinking about it now still brings a smile to my face. Ahh.
We then jumped on a train to Salzburg - a whooping 7 hour train ride through the Swiss Alps. We were riding the sides of mountains, going through the middle of mountains, and watching the snow come and go on the ground. It was a beautiful ride, and we went through Lichtenstein, so now we can boast of our three country tour.
Then it was time for The Hills Are Alive . . . . Sound of Music tour baby. Tourist central, but wonderful all the same. Absolutely worth the 34 Euro ticket. We're both dying to watch the movie now, and I'm close to buying it on iTunes. But I shouldn't. I'm almost out of hard drive space. Whoops!
Today we landed in Vienna, which is BIG and beautiful. And finally, Rick Steves can guide us around - his Eastern Europe book includes Vienna, and we are renewing our passionate relationship together. I LOVE Rick Steves. Best travel books ever, including his cheese.
We have three nights here (we're staying in the old maid's room in a hotel, what an experience), and we're thinking about a quick day trip to Bratislava (Slovakia).
Internet is still a bit iff, but I'll communicate as best as possible.
Much love.
Auf Weidersahn!
We got to see a bit of Basel the next morning
Friday, March 28, 2008
RICOLA. . .
Switzerland is BEAUTIFUL!
Come here.
It's unreal - the meadows, the super-clear glacier lakes, the snowy alps! Its amazing.
I met Anne really easily in Zurich, and we spent the night there, took a train to Luzern, spent the day there this morning, and now we're in Basel, staying with a friend of Anne's from church.
Which means free WIFI, free laundry, and a free bed.
Loving it, right now!
Come here.
It's unreal - the meadows, the super-clear glacier lakes, the snowy alps! Its amazing.
I met Anne really easily in Zurich, and we spent the night there, took a train to Luzern, spent the day there this morning, and now we're in Basel, staying with a friend of Anne's from church.
Which means free WIFI, free laundry, and a free bed.
Loving it, right now!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Fake and Real Europe
Paris was wonderful - you should go. Its a neat city. Although, I'm becoming a lazy tourist. Really, after you seen one important national landmark, every other national landmark isn't that exciting. The Eiffel Tower was neat, but it lacked the wow moment. Through the eyes of a tired backpacker, I suppose.
We went to Disneyland one day (1.5 days budget right there in the ticket), and it was super. You should go there too. Its just like Florida, except it snowed for a few minutes, and Buzz Lightyear speaks in French. Haunted Mansion, oh, excuse me, the "Phantom" Mansion, was a huge, confusing let down, because it was all in French, but the rest of the rides were just as good as their American grandparents. Space Mountain Mission 2 was the best. We went on that twice.
I'm now in Zurich, with Anne, which is a very posh city. After 2 weeks in France, its nice to hear some German, which I kind of understand. Zurich is beautiful, but the cost of living, and doing anything, is extremely high. The Swiss Franc is about 1 to 1 on the US Dollar, but the prices are not comparable. For instance, a Big Mac? 11 Francs. Woah there.
We didn't eat at McDonald's, by the way - we had some good, German sausages. And Diet Coke, naturally.
We're off to Basel tomorrow.
Much love.
We went to Disneyland one day (1.5 days budget right there in the ticket), and it was super. You should go there too. Its just like Florida, except it snowed for a few minutes, and Buzz Lightyear speaks in French. Haunted Mansion, oh, excuse me, the "Phantom" Mansion, was a huge, confusing let down, because it was all in French, but the rest of the rides were just as good as their American grandparents. Space Mountain Mission 2 was the best. We went on that twice.
I'm now in Zurich, with Anne, which is a very posh city. After 2 weeks in France, its nice to hear some German, which I kind of understand. Zurich is beautiful, but the cost of living, and doing anything, is extremely high. The Swiss Franc is about 1 to 1 on the US Dollar, but the prices are not comparable. For instance, a Big Mac? 11 Francs. Woah there.
We didn't eat at McDonald's, by the way - we had some good, German sausages. And Diet Coke, naturally.
We're off to Basel tomorrow.
Much love.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Paris!
We under estimated Holy Week travel. Everyone in France seems to go somewhere, and they all take the trains. We planned to leave Nice in the morning, take the 4-5 hour train to Lyon, spend the afternoon and evening there, and then head to Paris (2 hour train) at a leisurely pace the next morning (yesterday).
Except, when we got to the train station, all the trains to Lyon were full. So we went to Marseille, thinking we could get a train out of there, which we did, although all the earlier ones were also full, and so we ended up in Lyon at 5 PM, which didn't leave much time for sightseeing - we were losing daylight. We decided to buy reservations early for our next day train to Paris, and lucky we did - the only one that had seats open was a 7AM.
So, we had to trade our day in Lyon for a extra day in Paris, which is really neat so far. We went to the Lourve last night (free for people under 26 on Friday evenings), and walked around the Latin quarter. Our hotel is pretty nice and has a super strong radiator - we're doing our laundry by hand, and its dry in no time. That's how you tell the place is a winner.
Much love.
Except, when we got to the train station, all the trains to Lyon were full. So we went to Marseille, thinking we could get a train out of there, which we did, although all the earlier ones were also full, and so we ended up in Lyon at 5 PM, which didn't leave much time for sightseeing - we were losing daylight. We decided to buy reservations early for our next day train to Paris, and lucky we did - the only one that had seats open was a 7AM.
So, we had to trade our day in Lyon for a extra day in Paris, which is really neat so far. We went to the Lourve last night (free for people under 26 on Friday evenings), and walked around the Latin quarter. Our hotel is pretty nice and has a super strong radiator - we're doing our laundry by hand, and its dry in no time. That's how you tell the place is a winner.
Much love.
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