Here I am, sort of lost in Blah blah, Slovakia in a strong desperate but understanding attempt to see a castle, Beckov Castle, way off the beaten path. Despite the courage, I almost expect this kind of thing to happen. It is part of the adventure and sacrifice that comes with the wanderlust and strong desire for travel, especially working so hard back home to be where I am. Although keeping in mind safety and being wise, I never forget that these mishaps are what make travel such a learning experience as well. It’s one of those “yea that happened!” or “I can’t believe that happened!” So even though I am killing time yet keeping note of this experience, cheers to castle that I may or may not see, cheers to this trip, cheers to travel and cheers to getting lost. š
(One hour later)
…In conclusion and to wrap up the topic with some reality, I did not see the castle I wanted to see. I found it’s worth of seeing was diminished after missing two trains, getting on the wrong one, getting stuck in the middle of nowhere, and finally meeting a sketchy woman. First, who seemed very helpful informing me that there was no bus service where I needed to go eventually turned into helping me far more than I even wanted to help myself. She began to ask me how long I was in town and in Slovakia for and if I was alone. Next trying to get me to stay in the local hotel not to far from the station. And last but not least, calling one of her “sons” to start the car and pick us up to take us to the castle. After I declined and started my way back to the station she began to insist even more. At that point, I knew what i had to do. I could have decided on a taxi but this woman’s persistence honestly ruined it for me. I am alone, I am not familiar of where I am, time, and the options I had to get to this castle now gone, seeing the castle was a no go. After I confirmed this in my head, I gave a final no to the woman and she then turned away and vanished. Fortunately I made friends with some locals on the train back to Bratislava, chatting away, exchanging stories, and singing Frank Sinatra – New York New York, in Slovak. Interesting but great day! Getting lost ain’t always a bad thing. š
Slovakia, the divorcee of the Czech Republic , is a very interesting and fun budget travel friendly country. There are many options to choose from when visiting Slovakia. Like its capital, Bratislava, which is in close proximity to Vienna, which is a popular destination throughout Europe. Or one of its many beautiful castles throughout the countryside, the Tatra Mountain range for hiking and the outdoors, and its second largest city, KoŔice, in the eastern part of the country. Slovakia is no third world country nor a western European country either, which makes travel here allow your dollars to stretch pretty far. The further east you go, the cheaper the travel is. But for those on the common travel circuit passing through can say that even Bratislava is budget travel friendly.
After arriving in Bratislava, I had a very accurate idea of where to go to find my hostel and Because I am inclined with direction and maps, this was probably far easier for me than the average person. But Bratislava is no doubt a very easy city to navigate considering is size and its landmarks allowing you to see much of the highlights in probably a few hours to a whole day. This being said, whether you are here for a few hours or a few days, public transport passes are not too bad. Me being there for 2 days pushed me to purchase a 48-hour pass for 10 Euros. Using the bus service to and from the main terminal to the city center, across the Danube for the shopping center and bridge observation deck, and to Devin Castle and back was worth the 10 Euros.
Random appealing looking street.
Atop Slavin Hill.
Slavin Memorial commemorating fallen soldiers in WW2.
Most SNP, Petrzalka, and the Danube River
Random sidestreet.
Bratislava Castle from Michaels Gate.
Michael’s Gate.
View of Bratislava from the UFO observation deck on Most SNP bridge.
View of Petrzalka from the Most SNP bridge.
Aside from public transport, walking around the city is very easy to accomplish. After looking at a map and with a good sense of direction, I saw all I wanted to see and did all I wanted to do within the city limits in about 6 to 7 hours. I started from my hostel , Downtown Backpackers (US$20 for two nights), up to the Slavin memorial hiking up to the top of the hill overlooking the city. From there I took a short bus down the hill to the castle overlooking the Danube. Next, walking across the highway into and out of the old town square. With about an hour to rest my feet and legs, I then hopped on the 93 across the Danube into Petrzalka to make my way up to the UFO on the Most SNP bridge for a spectacular night view of the city and a cold Slovak brew. From here I walked across the bridge and walked in the city center once again for a nice up close glimpse of the old town at night. That night I ventured across town into an underground nightclub for a Drum and Bass venue at SubClub, a bomb shelter turned into a nightclub. The cost to get in for a night without a live DJ performing was 4 Euros one night but for another with live DJ’s it was at 10. Average cost of brews here were about 1.20 Euros.
Having a Slovak brew overlooking Bratislava from Most SNP’s UFO restaurant.
Strolling along the Most SNP bridge on the Danube River.
One of many places of graffiti throughout the city.
Tunnel at SubClub, a former bomb shelter turned nightclub.
Drum and Bass at Subclub, an old bomb shelter turned nightclub.
Around the city, I never found myself wine and dining in the common tourist areas in order to stretch my money out. Eating out at vendors along the way I found myself spending an average of 4 Euros per meal throughout my time there not to forget a stop at a market for a cold cut sandwiches and fruits which cost about the same. Outside of the city is Devin castle, sitting right on the Danube River. It’s easy to take a tour but also possible to take public transport. With a 48 hour pass, this costs nothing but attention to bus arrival and departure times. I was only limited to an hour self guided tour around the castle, perfect enough time for a solo traveler. Arriving back at my hostel, I dined at the downstairs restaurant for my only “wine and dine” meal costing me about 8 Euros for a dinner plate and a large beer. Say what?! š
In conclusion, Slovakia is still transitioning it’s political status with the European Union, which is joined recently in 2004. And adapting the Euro as it’s currency in 2009, I can see why it is so cheap to travel. Unfortunately, according to a local I chatted with, much of the country, especially the more east you go, lives under poverty and is very underpaid in contrast to it’s western neighbors. Therefor leaving room for budget travelers to, budget travel. Slovakia is a fun country and good to stretch your dollars/euros pretty far. I hope to return someday to see the Tatras and the eastern parts of the country. I shall return. Great GoPro sunset shot overlooking the Danube from the Bratislava Castle.
Coming straight from Budapest was an interesting experience. Being in this region of Europe during November doesnāt leave much surprise when the weather forecast looks foggy. It was a bit evident in the difference in landscape and infrastructure between the two countries. The farming fields seem much more put together and organized. The facades of walls were still intact opposed to Austria’s southeastern neighbor. Maybe it reflects the continuous feel of its socialist days, or maybe its me. But was struck me as odd but realistic was that this fog and overcast dissapeared after crossing into Austria. Considering how much of a geography nerd I am, I knew exactly when we crossed the border.
My CouchSurfing host and I enjoying an Austrian brew.
Reaching Vienna wasnāt at first glance an “OO” and “AA” but a head scratch and a where the hell do I go. Eventually, I found the correct Metro train and found my way to my CouchSurfing hosts place in Floridsdorf. Fortunately for me, with the line I took, some parts of this journey opens up to life above the ground enough to see the tops of the beautiful buildings above. One after another, a new personality of architecture flew by. It seems like nothing but it was a tease to the cities reputation. I felt a very small taste of what the hype was all about regarding this cityās beauty, like an intro to a brilliant film.
Later, after I got settled in with my host I reached an amusement part opened year round, Prater. A romantic scene in a Bond film, The Living Daylights, took place in this very park. Considering myself as a lifelong die hard Bond fan, how could I pass off a visit to this very park. Although many of the rides are closed, the ferris wheel is where I truly wanted to go and is where this scene took place. In a box car with a family, couple and their third wheel wasnāt what I call romantic, especially if my loved one is back in the states. But this is what gave me my first view of the whole city in a 360 panoramic view and drew me to want more of the city.
Ferris Wheel at Prater Amusement Park. (open year round)View of the city skyline from Prater.Graffiti at the Danube CanalGraffiti at the Danube Canal.St. Stephens CathedralGraben Pedestrian Street. The most beautiful place in Vienna, in my opinion.I don’t know, just looked cool!
So I headed straight for the city center with no fixed plans and almost no sense of direction. And what I found was a canal cutting through the old and the new. Building lights bright enough to reflect off of the water and reveal the street art (graffiti) that lies below the street level. This graffiti art was not defacing the city’s image, but it was actually fantastic art work that really blew my mind. A few blocks down, you can smell the mix between cooking Frankfurters to the occasional pastry all while walking past the large St. Stephens church and peeking through the smaller streets continuing to admire the endless designs of beautiful architecture lining the streets. But what really put me in amazement, was my walk down Graben, a street only for pedestrians. With winter lights hanging above, lights bringing glow to even more gorgeous buildings, an opera singer, and an accordion player with a touch of the hourly church bells, this moment right here, left me in amazement and at awe.
Kreuzenstein Castle outside Vienna city limits.Jump of joy at the infamous Belvedere Palace.GoPro selfie at the Schonbrunn Palace.
But this wasnāt the actual point that left me in love with the city. After making a trip to the Kreuzenstein Castle outside of the city, visiting the beautiful Belvedere Palace and a quick stop at Schonbrunn Palace, I made a stopover on the Danube island during the evening, where you will not only find the Austria Center Vienna and a completly seperate city center, but the Donauturm, an 800ish foot high observation tower in the middle of the island, practically on the Danube River. This tower offers 360 panoramic views of both the city and beyond. After my views on the lower level where the elevator lets you out, I set off to explore the rest of the tower which had two extra stories, the next an extra deck with a Deli, and the last, a somewhat classy restaurant. Fortunate for me, I found the perfect opportunity to drink a well deserved brew. Little did I realize, the whole floor slowly revolves around the tower, something in my mind Iād always dreamed of experiencing. This was a pleasant surprise!
Evening stroll at Donau Park.Looking south from the Donauturm.
While enjoying a full turn around the city, I noticed something. I noticed that the restaurant was playing American classic rock and alternative rock, most of these favorites of my girlfriend. It was this moment that I realized something. How badly I wished to be with her at that moment. It was like a collision of two worlds all in one in a land so far away. The state of being abroad yet a piece of her right there with me. Listening to āOasis- Wonderwallā while watching the little subway trains cross the Danube river, watching life continue on below. It was as if a part of her made her way through the airwaves of that restaurant and filled that empty seat across my table. It was as if she too was watching the horizon of city lights, cars, trains, church spires, and hills beyond with me. It was this very moment that brought tears to my eyes. I enjoy solo travel, but I really, truly wished that she was there with me, enjoying all of these amazing endless moments I continue to have.
The upper-level restaurant, wishing my girlfriend was at the other end of the table.Romeo and Julia play at the opera house.Vienna Metro.
With a few hours to kill, I ended my full day with a quick stop at the Opera for some Romeo and Juliet, then grabbed some brews to enjoy with my host. Alike what I’ve heard from other solo travelers in the past, “solo travel is nice for many reasons, but it does get lonely at times”. But when you do have a significant other back at home while traveling, that pain can be much stronger that even the smallest reminder can count. So in the end, my original ‘itinerary’ didnāt include Vienna. Due to it’s close proximity to my desired path, I made a perfect choice to come here. I can personally say I fell in love with the natural romanticism of the city. From the romantic architecture along the streets, to the top of the Wiener Riesenrad, to it’s enormous palaces and castles, to the couple holding each other on the steps of the Austria Center Vienna. Even though I explored it on my own, the strong essence of city still managed to bring love across the Atlantic, across half of Europe and right with me in spirit. Vienna is a city of love.
Someone recently told me that I get the most out of my travels. Itās true and agree 100%! I want to say āI donāt know what it isā, but I do. As I expand my travels out further and further, as like every other traveler, something happens within. You grow, you change for the better, your perspective on life improves, and honestly, you are practically immune to negativity. It would be ethnically frowned upon, at least in my eyes, to try single myself out from the crowd. I am not trying to, but I really do get the most out of my trips. I know, meet, have met, and seen people via web who are travelers alike with the same wanderlust. But I feel deep within, my passion is on a completely different level than your average wanderlust.
View of Budapest from Gallert Hill
Infamous Budapest Chain Bridge
Couchsurfing is a great way to be a part of your destination with a local.
Couchsurfing in Budapest
Couchsurfing in Vienna
It has been only three days since my return from my two week journey into Central Europe, and I canāt begin to explain briefly how this trip has changed me. I usually wake up from dreams about places I want to go and see. But this morning I had a very vivid dream about where I just came from. Iāve been to a handful of places that I can say I fell in love with and while I did love all of these places visited on this journey, I canāt say āfalling in loveā happened. It wasn’t solely about the places Iāve seen. It was a different kind of admiration. On this voyage, I was tested beyond just getting to my destinations. For example, in the past I keenly used my sense of sight. This time I manage to use alI of them like a working machine. My appreciation for people in general has improved so much. I realized that although there are inconsiderate and heartless assholes out there, for the most part, people around the world are general friendly and are willing to help you. Without phone service and solely relying on wifi and sense of direction left me with the only possible means of communication: pointing, showing names, pronunciation attempts, hand and face gestures, and most importantly, smiles. No matter how wide the language barrier is, human interaction is always possible. Considering the few mishaps I had, I still continued on and understood these mishaps as part of my voyage, intelligently.
Hanging out in beautiful ViennaBelvedere Palace in Vienna, AustriaSunset over Bratislava, SlovakiaHrad Devin/Devin CastleLost somewhere in SlovakiaSubclub: Soviet bomb shelter turned nightclub
I chose what many consider Eastern Europe because of the former Iron Curtain that separated a free Western Europe from a Socialist Eastern Europe. With much of Europe united, much of it now without physical border checkpoints, I traveled in Central Europe. This particular region, “just because it is not your usual first time Europe travel destination: Rome, London, Paris, Etc.” And what made me beyond happy, is that I made locals so proud that I chose their beloved country. I wanted something different, something new, and although not low density travel destinations, for a first time, it was more off the beaten path, the experience I wanted for myself. I tell myself two weeks is not enough time to travel, I mean really travel. But I guess it beats an extended weekend or a week. Personally, I would love to see Americans travel for a month to a month and a half, but two weeks does suffice, I guess.
Off the beaten path in Mikulov, South Moravia, Czech RepublicOff the beaten path in Valtice, South Moravia, Czech RepublicRainy day in Brno, Czech Republic, the second largest city in the country.
But in two weeks, I really did make the most out of my travels. After all, I lost my weekend job, got questioned with my primary job, and even got some frowns from family and loved ones. But that was actually only a fraction of why I made the most out of this. I never look to the past, BUT looking back is always a motivator to move forward strongly. Iāve suffered many years since birth with fighting parents, custody battles, struggling with depression in the later years, finally struggling to get on my feet in and out of unemployment, and the everyday financial obstacles that could deter ones desire to travel period. Who could blame me for having such a strong and powerful spirit in doing the one thing I love, traveling. So in the end, I’ve taken planes, trains, buses, and trams. I’ve hitchhiked, surfed couches, stayed in hostels, hotels, and apartments. Seen 5 countries, 6 cities, 4 towns, with 5 different languages. I’ve found myself exploring amazing places and even found myself completely lost. I’ve succeeded in my travels but also learned from mistakes. Sacrificed familiarities, time, and patience to get off the beaten path. Ate local food and drank local brews, and had amazing nightlife experiences, trying absinthe along the way. Set foot on history that served a purpose hundreds of years ago. Met many new faces and said my goodbyes with hopes for a new day to meet again maybe in a new place.
It wasnāt just traveling to these places that impressed me for future travel, I tested my abilities on my own, traveling on a budget while still enjoying myself, diving into the various cultures Iāve experienced, and best of all, returning a better person than when I arrived. Even though I had to get used to bringing in a book bag for groceries, smaller and healthier food portions and spent about $10 US on public bathrooms, I also realized that even Europe has it’s own cultural differences. Traveling does good for everyone, after all travel is the one thing you buy that makes you richer. It is a learning experience that changes you for the better, helps you grow, and helps contribute to unite a divided world. Anyone can see photos and watch videos, but the state of being and leaping into other cultures and norms is what makes it a beautiful privilege beyond imagination. These past two weeks wasn’t just for me, but my sharing of pictures, and videos of my experiences I hope are enough to prove that there is more out there in the world to do, see and experience with hopes for you to work hard and do it as well.
Strolling along the Charles Bridge in Prague.Prague Old Town CenterBest view of Prague and her bridges.KarlŔtejn Castle, outside of Prague.
Of course I wanted to continue on from Prague. Maybe make my way to Berlin and continue onto Scandinavia. Or down to Munich and end up in southern Italy. Or make my way down to a place that I really want to go, and possibly my next trip, down to Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, and the former Yugoslavia. But instead, and unlike other voyages, I was ready to return. I wasn’t depressed to return to “dreaded work”. Because I understand that this is what is funding my voyages in the first place. I wasn’t unhappy to return to the familiar, because I remind myself of those loved ones who support me to do what I love. I was ready to return, because after I share my stories with my loved ones and the minute I punch that clock at work, I have already begun the process on my next learning experience. As for one key quote I will never forget that my host in Budapest preached to me before I left his place, āYou will leave something behind here from your three day stayā. I thought he was being literal but I was wrong. āYou will leave three days of your life hereā. So cheers to leaving two great weeks of my life in Central Europe. š
CouchSurfing in Budapest, Hungary not only made my stay feel more like I was a Hungarian, but I learned more about the culture and history as well as made budget travel far more possible. Although my trust barrier was taken down a notch for the site, I still have a personal filter on who I chose to have me as a guest. As for Budapest, I was welcomed into the home of a proud, older Hungarian gentlemen. Fortunately for me, this man was not only my guide but he was a very intelligent individual when it came to history, my favorite subject, having an answer to every question I had about much of Europe and Hungary. Taking in consideration of his age, probably in his 50’s, he lived through much of the socialist times back when Europe was divided by the Iron Curtain. This was a perfect personable experience to get a real account of history from someone who lived through these “different” times.
I can’t really make a general assumption about Hungarians or if this is based solely on elder Hungarians, but since the curtain fell along with the Soviet Union, my host educated me on the upsides and downsides of life after these times. He stated that back in the socialist times, you would never see beggars in the streets. That there was a law in effect that you MUST find work in a certain time period of unemployment. That there was never room for poverty and that socialism kept people on their feet, always. This is something he explained to me after spotting some beggars in the streets along castle hill and other parts of Budapest.
Another thing that was interesting for me was his strong political dislike for the United States. I’ve heard everything from war promoting, to American Football, to even the amount of water that sits in North American toilets. At least once in every informative conversation, was a strong opinion against the U.S.. Like how America promotes war by intervention like in Iraq and the Ukraine, selling of weapons, and even the minor involvement in Hungary itself. While in Budapest, I got the chance to watch live demonstrations on TV regarding the Prime Minister, corruption, and pro-Russia…ism. During this event, he stated that the U.S. is putting it’s hand in a cookie jar that is not theirs making comments about the government and leader. Sure enough, weeks later I read an article about American politicians involving themselves in Hungarian politics and pro-Russia…ism. He mentioned that the U.S. spies on it’s own people and nations around the world, which is something I can’t disagree on. He even made a compare yet more contrast of Football vs. American Football stating that American Football is “too much go and stop”, players have “too much armor”, and “players are too aggressive” comparing it to American people, “too”macho”, “aggresive”, and lastly, “snobbish” going about life with a tough-guy minded attitude. I love it š
I am proud of where I come from and where I was born, but I am not too proud to the point where I’m a single minded asshole with an argument all of the time. I appreciated these opinions and perspectives because it was anything other than the “Murican” one. It’s like constructive criticism. Like me doing something at work but a colleague saying otherwise about my work. I could take offense or take it as a resource. It’s obvious to state that my country is not the most admired nor has the best reputation, but whether these opinions were/are true or not, some of them were in a way, learning experiences in a foreign perspective. After all, open mindedness is part of being a traveler, it’s part of the journey.
Dinner mmm.
