An East-Europe Odyssey
Ahhhh, I'm sitting in a hostel in Poland... bit sick, and it's snowing outside. This is how I got here:
3 days ago I was in Cesky Krumlov, a small town in south Czech Republic; near Austria. Almost fully encircled by a river, Cesky Krumlov was first mentioned in literature in the 13th Century; I believe it hasn't changed much since the 16th century.
When I arrived with these guys I'd met in Prague, we went out for dinner to an amazing bohemian restaurant where they serve dishes as they would have been 400-500 years ago. Afterwards we went to a small tavern on the river's edge. A 3-piece band was setting up when we entered, and started playing jazz. After a few songs, other locals pulled out violins, a saxophone, acoustic guitar and bass, and began jamming with the band. Soon they were playing traditional folk songs of the area. Had a fantastic night.
Due to beer I didn't get much sleep that night. The next day I explored the town's ten streets, and the castle grounds. Beautiful quaint little place, with a suprising amount of good galleries. Had a quiet night that night, but also couldn't sleep due to other people in my dormitory room, and the heaters that were turned right up.
Yesterday I felt a bit sick and wandered aimlessly, waiting to catch my 12:10 bus back to Prague. I checked my internet, then walked out of the building to hear the church bells tolling 12 o'clock. I realised that I was very late and was going to have to run with my 20 kg pack on my back. That day I ran like no man has ever run before... up the hill, and down to the bus-stop, and into the bus, just before he drove away. Seriously.
Arriving back in Prague at 3pm I waited around till the train came at 9pm. The train station was full of homeless people and I felt less than safe as I watched them being kicked out, eyeing me up, or pissing on the walls. I started drawing cartoons of the place.
Caught my train no problems, then began my overnightmare train trip to Krakow, Poland. With no sleep, and a strengthening cold/runny nose, I was fast becoming mighty miserable. The overnight train arrived at 5am. Luckily I had a hotel address to go to, and was going to get a single room to rest in. None of this dorm crap.
With none of the local currency, I had to wander to find an ATM machine, then change the notes to small currency, then walked outside for about 15 minutes till I found a taxi. Found the hotel no problems and left the taxi for the warm reception. That's as far as I got. The hotel was full, so I had to walk back out onto the morning streets. It was still dark, my taxi had gone, and it had begun to snow.
Luckily I'd remembered seeing a hostel we'd passed in the taxi, so took the turns that I thought was in the general direction, and finally found it. There are no single rooms here but no one's in my dorm room. I've made it clear that I would like to be alone if possible, and that I'm sick, so I'm hoping I keep the room to myself. I've slept all day, and will go into town tomorrow. Not going to turn out as planned, (Auschwitz will be freezing so giving it a miss), but sometimes the best experiences are unplanned, with a running nose, a headcold, and a dry mouth... Yeah right.
Oh well. Berlin is awaiting in 2 days... will write from there, and put some pics up.
3 days ago I was in Cesky Krumlov, a small town in south Czech Republic; near Austria. Almost fully encircled by a river, Cesky Krumlov was first mentioned in literature in the 13th Century; I believe it hasn't changed much since the 16th century.
When I arrived with these guys I'd met in Prague, we went out for dinner to an amazing bohemian restaurant where they serve dishes as they would have been 400-500 years ago. Afterwards we went to a small tavern on the river's edge. A 3-piece band was setting up when we entered, and started playing jazz. After a few songs, other locals pulled out violins, a saxophone, acoustic guitar and bass, and began jamming with the band. Soon they were playing traditional folk songs of the area. Had a fantastic night.Due to beer I didn't get much sleep that night. The next day I explored the town's ten streets, and the castle grounds. Beautiful quaint little place, with a suprising amount of good galleries. Had a quiet night that night, but also couldn't sleep due to other people in my dormitory room, and the heaters that were turned right up.
Yesterday I felt a bit sick and wandered aimlessly, waiting to catch my 12:10 bus back to Prague. I checked my internet, then walked out of the building to hear the church bells tolling 12 o'clock. I realised that I was very late and was going to have to run with my 20 kg pack on my back. That day I ran like no man has ever run before... up the hill, and down to the bus-stop, and into the bus, just before he drove away. Seriously.
Arriving back in Prague at 3pm I waited around till the train came at 9pm. The train station was full of homeless people and I felt less than safe as I watched them being kicked out, eyeing me up, or pissing on the walls. I started drawing cartoons of the place.
Caught my train no problems, then began my overnightmare train trip to Krakow, Poland. With no sleep, and a strengthening cold/runny nose, I was fast becoming mighty miserable. The overnight train arrived at 5am. Luckily I had a hotel address to go to, and was going to get a single room to rest in. None of this dorm crap.With none of the local currency, I had to wander to find an ATM machine, then change the notes to small currency, then walked outside for about 15 minutes till I found a taxi. Found the hotel no problems and left the taxi for the warm reception. That's as far as I got. The hotel was full, so I had to walk back out onto the morning streets. It was still dark, my taxi had gone, and it had begun to snow.
Luckily I'd remembered seeing a hostel we'd passed in the taxi, so took the turns that I thought was in the general direction, and finally found it. There are no single rooms here but no one's in my dorm room. I've made it clear that I would like to be alone if possible, and that I'm sick, so I'm hoping I keep the room to myself. I've slept all day, and will go into town tomorrow. Not going to turn out as planned, (Auschwitz will be freezing so giving it a miss), but sometimes the best experiences are unplanned, with a running nose, a headcold, and a dry mouth... Yeah right.
Oh well. Berlin is awaiting in 2 days... will write from there, and put some pics up.
posted by Damen at 2:50 pm
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