Budapest

Famous Chain bridge over the Danube connecting Buda and Pest

Danube above normal water level, that is a street that is flooded.

View outside the hostel

My Celtic friend welcomed me outside the train station. That was worth a tip

Another busy and fulfilling day. I spent the morning and part of the afternoon in Vienna. I then had a three hour train ride to Budapest. Upon arrival I went to an info center, see I am getting better, and was helped by a nice gentlemen who told me that my hostel was very nice. That is always a reassuring thing. I decided to walk from the train station to my hostel and surprise surprise I got lost. Not the first time and certainly not the last. I finally arrived and was once again very impressed with the hostel. In fact I am sitting now in a nice common area with couches, big flat screen tv and free use of a computer. The receptionist ,a beautiful looking Hungarian, has been very helpful. I am really happy that I decided to stay in the hostels. They are quite nice so far, knock on wood.

I just got back a little bit ago after walking for hours. I sure have been getting my exercise. I love the freedom of just walking and where ever I end up, I end up. Buda and Pest are separated by the Danube River and the chain bridge connects the area. It is rather cool looking for the Danubes water level is very high and has flooded parts of the street. I walked across the very famous Chain bride and wandered around looking at the sights.

Tommorow I am going to one of the famous spas or bath houses. I will then go to the Torture museum and lastly off to the castle. I will need to get up early and get all this in because I leave for Krakow, Poland around 6. I am very excited for tommorow should be a great day. Hope everyone is well.

Vienna

On the way to the palace, needed a nice walk alone.
My history buddy from Colorado and my new found friend from Australia.
I believe that is King Timothy, local Austrian with some Habsburg blood.
Some local idiot who likes the Red Sox. In all seriousness the palace was amazing and a great place to reflect.



I have had such an amazing time staying in this hostel. I have met people from all over the world. As most of you know I enjoy meeting new people and hearing about their stories. I met this really beautiful, wonderful girl from Switzerland, she in fact has a interview today to be in the theater department in Vienna. I met others from Guatemala, Germany, California, Canada, New York and England. I wish I was staying here longer but it is time to go to Budapest which I have heard great things about. Last night we went to a jazz festival and had a great time listening to live music and hearing all the different experiences we have had. I am really enjoying being own my own and doing the things I want to do. I also am gaining more confidence in myself because each day I am getting better with finding my way around. This is truly an unbelievable experience for me, one in which I have to pinch myself and say this is happening. The picture you will see today are from the Hapsburg palace, I thought I was there yesterday but evidently it was the wrong place. Me making a mistake?
Crazy story to tell Dad. I am staying in this amazing hostel. First time in a hostel and I was worried and nervous. As you can tell from the pictures it is amazing and well kept. Well last night I go to the reception desk and talk to the owner and thank her for the wonderful hospitality, service, and friendliness of the establishment. I tell her that she is running a wonderful hostel and how much I appreciate it because I am new to the whole hospel scene. We get to talking, no me, and she mentions that she is from the states. I figured that she was by her pure English but nonetheless it was still interesting. She asks me where I come from and I tell her that I live in Virginia but am originally from Pennsylvania. The discussion then leads to where are you from in Pennsylvania, and I of course mention with pride Pittsburgh. She gasps at this and blurts out I was raised in Pittsburgh. I ask her where and she says Forest Hills. Dad, she graduated from Churchill in 1972. Can you believe that? Small world, she says she has heard your name before but can not place a picture to it. Her maiden name is Erin Chase. Incredible meeting people and hearing their stories. I am of course loving life right now and can not wait for the newest journey and experience. Till next time!

Vienna

Hostel
Courtyard at the hostel, I am amazed at how nice it is.
In front of the Habsburg palace





I hopped on the train for Vienna around 9:00 am, Monday morning. Surprisingly I got here with no problem, ha ha. Seriously though I think I am getting better. The hostel I am staying at is amazing. I immediately met friends and walked around the city with a kid from Colorado who is studying history and has been getting around Europe till May. I am envious of him for I always wanted to do that when I was his age. He is quite an impressive young man. He is with a friend but they dont travel everywhere together. We had a great time talking history and checking out the sites. I will write more tomorrow. But this is an incredible city. I recommend to anyone, I am very impressed. I am about to head out with some friends I met to a jazz fest in the city square. Bon Voyage!

Bratislava

View outside Lucia and Peters flat where I spent the night on Sunday night.
Seat of the city government in Bratislava. I have been to three capitals in two days, how cool.



We left Prague around 6 on Sunday night and headed to Bratislava. Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. We stopped off at Lucia and Peters new home which is in construction as we speak. We then headed into Bratislava to check out the sights. They gave me a tour of their capital city which I thoroughly enjoyed. I really appreciate, as I mentioned, the kindness which they extended to me.
We headed back to their flat on the top floor that has a gorgeous view of the city and lake. I was able to burn some photos finally, check the email, charge all my electronics, eat some food and get ready for my solo journey through Eastern Europe. Vienna, Budapest and Krakow here I come!!!! Get ready.

Prague

Adam loving the gift I got for him, absolutely adorable boy
View from uptop near the castle
Heather and I near the castle overlooking the city.
Boy drawing the sights inside the amazing royal church
View of the church, many Czech leaders are buried here
Czech soldiers near the castle.
Cage where people were put into to humiliate them for crimes.
Entrance to castle
Why is he so serious? Doesnt he know he has a celebrity next to him, the Hoffs son. Had to be on the trip to Germany to get that one
I need to stop opening my mouth during the pictures, huh.
Lucia and Peter
Yes, we even have Steelers memorabilia in Prague

Famous clock built into the church, these figurines revolve around in a circular motion
Famous clock
Gunpowder tower, munitions and powder was stored here
flat we stayed at
there is my dinner, i never knew raw meat tasted so good.
when in rome, i am impressed with myself.
part of revolutionary square

Well I got into Prague Saturday evening around 7. I then proceeded to walk around Prague with my luggage trying to find an internet cafe to figure out how to get a hold of Lucia and Peter, my Slovakian friends. I walked and walked and walked. Very demoralizing and frustrating. I finally found a cafe, checked my internet, called them and got picked up. Whooo, what a day. I felt so bad for they were confused as to why we did not see each other at the train station. But everything turned out fine. They took me back to there friends flat where I washed up and we headed to the bus stop to get into Prague. Their friends live in a very nice, modern eco friendly section of Prague up on top of the hill not too far from the city. We headed into town and checked out the beautiful city. I absolutely fell in love with Prague. So beautiful and charming, full of personality and flair. We checked out Revolutionary square, the church tower clock, gunpowder tower and other sights. We then headed for the most amazing cultural experience, dinner. I told Peter I wanted to have some traditional Czech food. So he sure picked it out. I had raw ground beef with a raw egg on top of it mixed with pepper, mustard, onions, paprika and ketchup spread along bread grinded with garlic. When I saw it my face turned yellow and my eyes nearly burst through my head. Peter told me to stop looking at it and give it a try. He prepared it for me, mixed it around and showed me what to do with the bread and garlic. Next thing you know I am digging into some raw beef and absolutely enjoying it. We had a great evening in a traditional Czech restaurant. I loved learning more about the Czech republic and from where they come from Slovakia. They have done a lot of world traveling and I enjoyed every minute of learning about their views and experiences. Quality people that I owe a lot to. They are in the process of building their home and they will be married in two months. I look forward to continuing our relationship and know that they will have a wonderful life together.
The next morning we woke up and headed to the hotel Heather was staying. We picked her up and headed to see the clock change. It is a big thing in Prague this clock. We then headed to the famous Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and its amazing church and walked around town some more. We met some of their friends for lunch and I meet the lady who was allowing us to use her aparment. They are in the process of moving to London so her husband was not there. Her son was there though that I bought a couple of gifts for which he absolutely loved. That always makes you feel good :) I then said my goodbye to Heather and we headed back to the flat to head to Bratislava the capital of Slovakia to see where they live and visit another capital city. Whoooo exhausted is an understatement as far as how I felt. Incredibly busy couple of days.

Missed Train and Nazis

At the train station in the midst of the stare down with the Nazis. Notice the police in the background. Very awkward moment in which they were not happy with the picture being taken. The tall guy then took a picture of me.
Another weird moment with a woman, who´s shop is shut down do the demonstrations, trying to get some work done. Nazis are in the background.
It was heartening seeing the protests against the Nazis. Many more protested agains the Nazis and felt just or should I say more sick about seeing the Nazis in their town.
SAD!
Protests against the Nazis




What can I say? Oh I know what to say I have some amazing experiences when they are least expected. I got up early Saturday morning and got my train to Regensburg to connect to Prague. Got there in plenty of time was standing at the right platform and got on the train. One problem it was the wrong train, ok no problem. I get off and head down to the right train. A train employee is standing on the steps so I show her my ticket, she looks at it, shakes her head and the train proceeds to leave. Turns out it was the right train but she was not happy with my last minute arrival. Even the other train employees behing me were shaking their had, surprised just as much as I was. It did turn out I was not the only one to miss this train because I saw some English people waiting for the same train and they missed it also. Alright so I find another route to Prague and head to a small town called Schwandorf. Miss another train by a minute. So now I am stuck in this small town with four hours to kill before the next train. I am stressed because first off I am meeting Lucia and Peter my Slovakian friends and also Heather who is getting into Prague an hour later than my original train. I decide to take a walk and check out the small town. I end up hearing all this commotion and music so I of course head for it. I see these people in the center of town gathered looking at people on a stage. There is music being played and I am thinking good times. However I feel there is something strange going on. When I arrived at the train I noticed a lot of policemen some in special uniforms telling me they were no local billy bob cops. I ask in my excellent German Sie Sprechen English a young guy tells me he does. I ask him what is going on today. He then tells me that they are protesting against racism. I think oh how nice then he proceeds to tell me that is in response to the Nazis down the street who are organized. Whoa are you kidding me, after all we have just learned and all that I have studied about Germany. Of course I knew that there were still neo Nazis around but I just happened to stumble across this. I head down to wear they are standing. There are policemen all around and fencing separating the nazis and the people protesting the nazis. Well I play stupid and try to get into the area where the nazis are located. Of course I am not allowed in just like anyone else, worth a try right. Story gets better, just wait
So I go to the other end and see a large number of people organized protesting against the nazis. I was fascinated and enjoying the activists protesting against the nazis. They were shouting and singing go Nazis go, we don´t want you here. Eventually the nazis leave the plaza and head for the train station. Huh, do you know where this is going? I of course follow the crowd and head to the train station. The police are blocking off the train station because the nazis are taking the train back to the town where they came from. Of course the reason the police are there is that they are worried there will be brawls in the street. Well if you remember I have a train to catch and I have police preventing from going. Now to be honest I am not worried I have two hours. My whole thinking is I want to see these Nazis up close and personal. I plead with one of the policemen show him my passport and train ticket and next thing you know I am walking up to the train platform where the nazis are waiting for their train. What a incredibley awkward experience. Here I am waiting for my train surrounded by police and nazis. They are staring me down and I them. I am shaking my head and getting a little emotional thinking about how misdirected these people are and what they represent. They are talking about me and I am showing absolutely no desire to back down or look away. It helps when you are surrounded by police. None of them say anything to me however and pretty much leave me alone. One nazi girl walks by me and I swoop in. I ask her if she speaks English and she replies a little. And I attempt to begin my conversion of the misdirected girl. She tells me they are protesting against Russian immigrants in Germany and gives me the name of the town where I am standing. She then heads back to her crowd where they proceed to whisper about me. Crazy, Crazy experience. Missing the train happened to turn out to be an amazing cultural experience. Funny how things work. After an hour they board their train, police follow them and the town returns to normal. Very bizarre!