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. đ
(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. đ
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, KoĆĄice, 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?! đ
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.
Someone recently told me that I get the most out of my travels. Itâs true and agree 100%! I want to say âI donât know what it isâ, 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 canât 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. Iâve 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 canât say âfalling in loveâ happened. It wasn’t solely about the places Iâve 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. Iâve 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 wasnât 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 Iâve 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.KarlĆĄtejn 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, âYou will leave something behind here from your three day stayâ. I thought he was being literal but I was wrong. âYou will leave three days of your life hereâ. So cheers to leaving two great weeks of my life in Central Europe. đ
Here I sit, at the airport once again, ready to set off on another adventure. In the past few days, in preparation for the next two weeks backpacking in Central Europe, I seldomly asked myself if I had made the right choice in taking this trip. After all, I did take two weeks to visit, Yellowstone Country and the Dutch Caribbean six months ago. Been pulled to the side at work about my âexcessâ time off allowance at my day job. Losing my weekend job because of the same âexcessâ time off reasons. The worry I put both my family and girlfriend through venturing into the even further unknown on a whole new continent, in places that speak a language I canât comprehend. The selfish sacrifice made with time away from home, solo and without them. Putting behind the comforts of familiarity for hosts abroad, the lack of sleep from blaring bars and sex engaging hostel bunk mates. The endless confusion of foreign languages on signs for hour(s) long car, bus, and train rides. The trust barriers raised up with strangers I have yet to meet.
But then I raise the next question. Why wouldnât this be the right choice? Why wouldnt I want to break through the frontier of âmy unknown” to see the beautiful places Iâve only seen in photos. Why wouldnât I sacrifice bucks on a 5 star hotel to further extend my stay in Budapest. Why wouldnât I venture off into cultures to better richen my views of the world and life perspectives to share with loved ones. No photo or postcard can explain the destination than the actual state of being. Viewing places with your own eyes, conversing with others with your own thoughts, leaning and actually resting your body on a century old bridge in Prague, the authenticity of tasting desserts in Viennaâs old city center, walking on an century old castle.
Sure it was worth the side job loss, because without it, the liberties are far more endless to the world unknown, even traveling at home. I understand American work ethic, but as for time off, I pushed limits. How could I have known that my work appreciates me as a traveler without trying to take off more time than my time off allowed. It was a chance I took, and was worth it. Because no matter where I work or not, who I am with or around, and no matter the judgement, traveling has always been, is, and always will be the right choice.
Dinner mmm.
