Hello Ladies & Gentlemen,
Today, I had the pleasure of attending a Budapest free city walking tour followed by a tour of the Buda Castle Labyrinth, it was good times. Sure I’ve hated on free walking tours in the past and guess what, I probably will again in the future. This one was different, it was actually quite cool. The above photo is the first non communist commissioned statue. “The Princess”.
Woke up early and these 4 ladies from the USA had come in, they were going on a tour. I was going to go for a walk so decided it was a perfect match. Arrived at the meeting spot and the guides were cool. I think this is the *major* factor in whether or not you’ll enjoy a tour. The lady in Prague looked ghastly boring. In fact, I saw another tour going later and it looked boring, anyways.
We checked out lots of things, here is some of the tidbits I picked up on… The city was Buda and Pest and later got combined to become “Budapest”. The divider is the river that runs between the two sections. Buda is easy to get lost in as it’s old school road structure, Pest is on grids and the country loves the guy who founded it. Supposedly if you lose your ID card you need to fill out 2 forms at police office because they have no photocopier. Your average person here earns ~500E a month after tax. The tax goes as high as 46% here, it’s on the Scandinavian code or whatever. Also they are about the same on the world development scale as Uruguay. The whole transition from Communism occurred ~20 years ago so she said that it’s their grandchildren who will be living in a “sorted out place”. FYI ~60% of the income around here comes from tourism, travel accordingly.
The hero is this first King Stephen who brought Christianity in 1000A.D and as a result ~65% of the population is Christian. Someone asked what would have happened had he not brought it, she said they would have lost their land. Looks like it happened anyways. They backed the Germans in WWI and lost a lot of land, then again backed them in WWII and again lost even more land. Also the entire royal palace was looted and basically burned so it’s now just a boring museum according to the guide lady.
The parliament is the 3rd largest in the world, it`s basically like some other countries except the architect added 1m to make it bigger, ha. The church and parliament are same height as they have the `same power` and no other buildings can be taller. There are also a few famous inventions from here but they elude me, one was the hologram, yeah they elude me.
After that, myself, the US ladies, another US lady and a gent from Canada hit up the labyrinth under the Buda Castle. It was cool and it was used for many things including a bomb shelter for as many as 10,000 people and darker things like torture and prison when the “Commies” came in. The catacombs, labyrinth whatever was cool and there is even a wine fountain, supposedly it’s NOT for consumption though, tasted watered down anyways so don’t bother.
I think the walk was good for the old cough, the labyrinth, not so much. Whenever I’m sick, this whimsical whacky world has a way of bringing me in touch with a nurse. She gave me some reminders and suggestions and basically I’m going to “lay low” for a while, ya heard?
Went to a local cafeteria that is out of the eyes of the tourist traps and had some traditional Hungarian food. Don’t get goulash, everyone makes it and there are other dishes that are more “Hungarian” like potato soup, mushroom soup, spinach stew, lamb stew with potatoes or dumplings. The dumplings reminded me of what my ex gf’s mom used to make. Wish I had ordered some but I had limited Hungarian coin on me and they don’t take euros.
Always ask the price when ordering wine or they will get you in on a 6E meal and give you a 95E bottle, for real. Also I asked about all the Mercedes and BMW cabs, what the deal was. She said those are the ones you see driving around the TOURIST areas in Europe and they only have them because they rip tourists off. Always negotiate a price and never trust the meter, never thought of that, did you? Then we see them in a sick ride and assume they are more trustworthy, hmmmmmm.
Tonight at 10PM there is a free Indie Rock Concert in the Deaktor subway stop aka downtown. There is a massive fountain with glass bottom and underneath it, a massive club with a glass ceiling. All free to get in. The Jewish district is also supposedly great for dinner and amazing pubs, no cover required. She said there is no reason whatsoever to do a pub crawl in this city, told you she was cool. They also have a massive theater but the acoustics suck so no composer has ever played there twice. As a result it’s mainly rented out for raves and techno parties.
Finally, this city is considered quite “safe”. So safe that many people walk around all over at night, I think part of it is the “grid system” you can spot enemies and weirdos a long way away and always have an exit every block. Also the Prime Minister of Hungary works right near the royal palace and there is no security, anywhere. He just walks out and jumps in his car like anyone else.
Funny how so many say going overseas is so “dangerous”. Lots of people should compare their backyards on a global scale before making such blanketed and often false assumptions.
Update: Found a place in the Jewish quarters where you can get a large pint for ~1E, I felt like I was at The Jam in Lagos, ok, not really but kinda. Also had a great meal for under 10E. Say good day to the crew as I have health issues to attend to. Now I’m sitting here with two nice French girls from Paris. If you’re playing Hostel Roulette your best bet is to never get empty, reason is that every night there is something going on, one must choose their battles carefully.
Flick of the cap,
P.S: These cars below, you had to be on a waiting list to get. They were total garbage with 21 horsepower but if you had one, it was the bomb because you couldn’t buy things, only what was given to you. No gas outlet, you had to mix oil and gas and pour into engine and check with a stick. Also it was made out of a cardboard composite basically, yeah!!!
P.P.S: As someone from North America I find it hard to relate to the hardships these people have suffered. We’re lucky for too many reasons to mention, for real.
Search Du Jour!?: “Saw Playboy Limo” – Result, here.
Greetings,
Decided to kick it another day in Prague, when a friend of yours from the other side of the world, that you met on the other side of Europe is in town and has his trip ending, you chill out. Today, I took a train from Prague, Czech Republic to Vienna, Austria. I then got on the wrong train which was going to Munich, Germany and ended up at the right station to get a train to Budapest, Hungary, huh!?
If you’re on Eurail, you can go from Prague -> Vienna and Vienna -> Budapest FREE with no reservation. The 1st class cabs are ok but nothing special. These trains now have “premium” which are basically for really fat people. It’s just a big big seat. Ok, I’d love to sit in it but for 25E surcharge, I wonder if I just started sitting in it, hmmm… Also Once you get to Ostrava in Czech Republic from Poland, it is also free. SO if you want to check out Krakow, it will only cost you 20E each way… Pretty sweet, I know nothing except I’ll be in Krakow, at some point, again. Spain, France, Germany and supposedly Italy are the ones that really “screw ya” on the reservation fees.
Anyways, life is good but not soo good, I’m official “SICK”. Considering I had a death cough in Lagos and it’s never gone away, now is the time to destroy that “coughing demon” who lives deep in my oil tar sands of lungs. This just may be a great time to quit smoking, bright side, bright side. You know you’re sick when you’re sitting at a train station with a parka on, shivering and it hurts to swallow when everyone else is going about their business in shorts like it was the middle of #@$# summer, oh wait, it is.
Yesterday was cool, basically just “sifted” through the streets consuming egregious quantities of pizza, for real. We split a large at this one joint, then later bought 2 “Iceland” pizza’s. Iceland is supposedly a backpacker holy grail, you can go in and get anything for only 1E, a pizza for the kids? 1E, having guests and want to impress them? Grab the casserole for 1E, etc… I’d appreciate a place like that. Also cool when some European people ask you for directions in Prague, eh do I look like I live here, don’t answer that, sweet.
Met a girl traveling with her little brother on one of the trains, she has a blog as well and after eating Bohemian Goulash for breakfast on the train, then passing out for a 2 hours, she was kind enough to give me the rest of her dinner that her and her brother didn’t eat, tip of the hat. Oh yeah, if you’re on trains and you like tea (who doesn’t), bring your own bags. They want like 3E for a green tea but will give you hot water for free(they always hook me up at least), hmm yeah. People who offer their extra food are champs, even when they know you already polished off a meal 2 hours previous. Back to tea, I bought the Goulash and 2 Pepsi’s for ~7E. Later, 1 pepsi and 1 green tea cost me 4.25E… Sucks being back on the Euro, I am slightly gutted about leaving Poland / Czech Republic, I just love it there.
Topic of saving money, feel kinda lame for my insane lack of planning. Met this guy who has been couch surfing the whole time, another guy who does as well. I told him I had been paying, he said that is weak. He is kinda right, yes, no? Thing is, couch surfing requires knowing where you want to go. I woke up today thinking I was taking a train to Austria. When I got to Austria I knew I wasn’t spending any time here so looked for an exit. It’s cool but feels like a Western City, snore. After Krakow and Prague, I have standards, standards in way of architecture, people, food, prices, company…
Regarding hostels etc… If I pay average on a global scale of $450US-$500 a month that is ~$4500-$5000 over 10 months… How much would you spend in rent back home, for some lousy basement room? Thought so. Flip side is what could $4500-$5000US get ya? Definitely get you an iPhone and some other good gadgets OR that much more in the tank for further adventures… Or you could buy a web business that will potentially pay you forever. Just if you are paying for a hostel, pay the extra few $$$ and get right in the core, where rent would be most expensive and you want to spend your limited time…
I’ll update the rest of this from my hostel, if I find one, somewhere in Budapest
Turns out Hungary is on it’s own dollar, the subway system is easy to use. The hostel I’m in is actually pretty chill and it costs 19E a night for a 4 person dorm. Still too much, ran into more couch surfers, I am dedicated to sleep on someone’s couch, anywhere. Ran into a girl on the subway doing couch surfing and these Polish people doing it. Seems like I’m the only person not doing it? Huh?
Budapest is rather beautiful thus far. Just took some photos of station, that church and whatnot, most day photos are of Vienna, fyi.
I have photos, I can’t be bothered to add them, I’ll do it another day in some “Train Trip” photo set or something when I get an apartment, really soon, hopefully. Getting a little tired of the old “roulette wheel” here. I just hit a crappy spin, it’s all dudes except this one English girl with metal in her face.
This one dude kinda creeped me out in Krakow and guess who is here, yes “Creepy Chad” as we’ll call him. I really hope he is not in my room. Everyone just bounced so here I am updating this blog while some weirdo is playing guitar, I hope he doesn’t start singing Kum By A or something homofied like such. I’m getting to the end of my “hostel tolerance”.
In Asia, I had my own hotel / guest house rooms, what a different trip that was. That or I’m just extremely sick and would rather be anywhere but here now with “Creepy Chad”. I also think I hear Christian Rock in the background, what the h3ll is going on here!?
Flick of the Cap,
P.S: COUGH
Search Du Jour: “Private Walking Tour Prague” – Result, here.
Tags: Austria, Budapest, Czech Republic, Hungary, Prague, Vienna
Greetings,
Prague is a laugh but not the safest place. I never understood why women go to the bathroom together and now. In Prague in some shady big @ss night club, yeah, definitely, seriously. Heard some weird stories and seen some random things. Wherever you’re from it’s a once and a while reminder, wait a Seattle second or a Nanning nanosecond, we’re not in Kansas anymore.
Also, supposedly there are “fake cops here” who will ask for your passport etc … There are different schools of thought but some say having $$$ in your passport as a whatever is the best bet, other side? You never have it, and you don’t. Suffice to say an acquaintance of mine was asked for it aggressively late at night and he was like “no passport, no passport” and after 4 times the guy said ok, 1000kr and he’s like I have nothing… The guy told him to get lost. Reality is once someone has your passport, it’s kinda game over. That’s your life, yes? If you think he’s a fake, tell him to bring you to the station…
Be aware.
Now that that code crap is out of the way, Prague is a city that you have to come visit should you enter this area. FYI This place is NOT a developing country and in 2006 it was granted “Developed Country” status. Supposedly in the country areas it is still “cheap” compared to other economies however Prague, no. There is coin being banked around here.
You can still get dorms for supposedly 7-20E depending on what you’re looking for. I’m in at 15 and it’s perfect. Actually you can get a private room for 30, so if you’re with anyone, b-line it to one of them.
My friend and the creator of the “Mashups” arrived on Sunday from Lagos, went on a free all you can drink private walking tour. I discovered even more of this fine city. The lady I met here went back home yesterday, tip of the hat as it was cool hanging out with her. Most cities you’ll have “old town”, this “Old town” just goes on forever and I like how the streets are massive. In other parts of Europe the streets are so small you have no room to spot enemies or unsavory weirdos in the depths of the night.
Finland is a requirement in the beginning of August. 3-6th arrival I’m thinking. Budapest is calling me as my ex gf of forever is from there and well it’s somewhere I want to go visit. Of all things I got an email from her today, looks like another one of my friends got her number and is like showing up with perfume and shit on to go for a coffee, huh? Don’t they know girls who like gents like myself find that insanely metro!?
Slovenia, Poland (again), Romania, Lichenstein, Luxemboug, Austria, Switzerland …
I’ve spent ~2+ weeks in the block now, I’ll be back. If you aren’t married or think your life kinda sucks take a trip here and just see what else is out there before jumping to potentially ludicrous conclusions, yes? Some of these expensive countries without crap except mountains and business centers should be good for a day or so. Another factor to consider is the expiring Eurail pass. Traveling in the block is cheaper than say whatever to Lichtenstein or other locations mentioned above. Also the difference between 2nd and 1st class is larger in these countries (train wise) so if I paid for a pass why not ride these again. Germany and France have some very nice trains. I don’t really care about the train quality, I rode all sorts of weird and cheap things in SE Asia, loved it.
Went on a pub crawl and it was pretty lame, also the last bar was in the middle of nowhere, it’s like ehhh do you have an agreement with a cab agency? I walked it through these random parks then took the subway at about 7am. Last time I ever go on a pubcrawl but sometimes it seems like a good idea when you’re already in a great mood and the people you are with are like “sure whatever!” You could have said “Let’s go climb mount Everest” and it would have been the same enthusiasm probably… It’s also a weird lot that go on pubcrawls besides like random Rugby teams. It’s a lot of people looking for a party and you can have as much wood as you want but if you got no sparks in the crew, you’re not getting a fire.
My friend is going home in 2 days after a most epic 6 month tear through this wonderful place. It’s weird I started thinking about this trip and that vibe when it’s over. Most say it’s like manic depression and well you already had your fun.
One of the dudes we were hanging out with was from the Netherlands Antilles, at that 4 storey club the top floor is “Black Music” which is kinda like a wtf? Are they not aware? He found it funny but also wtfesque. Also it plays like “Holla Back Girl” and “Poker Face” and stuff. It’s weak music but that is where you’ll find all the ladies smiling like “OMG I LOVE THIS SONG” with gentleman just kinda standing and drinking next to them or getting toooo into it. You may even see 2 guys in pub crawl shirts fix their bangs before hugging it out hahahahaah.
Anything else to say before this update’s retired? No.
Flick of the Cap,
Search Du Jour!?: “Visa Problems Vietnam” – Result, here.
Tags: Czech Republic, Prague
Greetings and good day,
It’s been a wild time here in Prague. The city is extremely interesting and supposedly one of the only cities in Europe that did not get destroyed in World War II, as a result, everywhere all the old architecture stands firm. Really enjoying my time here and I recommend you come visit, it does remind me of Krakow, Poland.
If you’re leaving a night club really late at night, you better watch that meter, we left the 5 storey club at 5am and the meter was jumping so fast at 200 I caught him and by the time we stopped it was 500, he was a big burly dude, I told him he ripped us off and I was paying him 200 not a penny more, he took it then sped off leaving us in a cold rain in the middle of nowhere, I use no maps but I always remember landmarks, a short walk later, we were home.
The lady I’m enjoying the company with is really cool but when one of your best friends in the world says “Dude, you gotta msg this girl, she’s Czech and in the area” well, you do it, yes? The beauty of traveling alone is that if you are open minded with a chill demeanor, you’re really never alone but with new interesting people who are very similar to you, regardless of where they are from.
Instead of eating in town square, been picking stuff up and going to parks, hanging out by the rivers and doing stuff like that. I will note that someone asked me if it was expensive to travel the world, the reality is that it doesn’t have to be. If you do not go to expensive clubs, drink in the town squares, you don’t spend that much. The hostel I found is perfect although it ranks lowest in Prague, just remember this… WHO FILLS OUT THE SURVEY’S? No one I’ve ever met…
Lot’s to see and do, waiting to meet one of my good mates from Lagos here tomorrow then shortly after going south. I need to be in Finland for the beginning of August, I smell another “bender train trip in the making”, indeed I do. I still need to make it to that lake I don’t know why but something about it is calling me. I told him I’ll be in townsquare at the statue at X oclock in a tuxedo and a top hat doing jumping jacks, no way he’ll miss me.
It’s Saturday aka the “Deadzone” on the internet but I don’t care these pictures need to be uploaded. I will note that Prague has a plethora of top end cars, the nicest cars I’ve seen in Europe to be exact. If you’re doing Europe, come to Prague, it is that simple…
Oh yeah, it’s been raining the last few days and I mean POURING, oh well you gotta enjoy the bad to appreciate the good, or something like that… Side note, how weird is it that in today’s world a friend can msg you and say hey, I know someone who is in the area and you can msg them and boom, you’re chilling, on the other side of the world? It’s pouring now, great time to do some monkey work.
Also, never buy any leveraged 3x funds on the stock market before leaving for a long time, they can “deball you”. If you do, better be sure you’ve bought lots of equities on the other side so the “torture” can be minimized, then again it’s all part of the game, not in the mood to get gored? Don’t get in the arena…
It’s Saturday, go out and enjoy a drink and talk to someone new. The festival is on today but if it’s raining like this, nah. Prague is fun as it is, cruise around and see what happens, always a good plan, anywhere in the world.
Almost forgot, that 5 storey club is SICK! On the 2nd floor they have like this big crucifix of a space man with lasers coming out of his eyes and stuff as smoke screams from the machines to make it a big cloud of awesomeness, it’s expensive to get into, your best bet is to do the Pub Crawl, spend the 25E and get free entrance and drinks everywhere, if not it gets pricey, trust me, hahaha.
Ran into these Hare Krishna dude at lunch, I’m not overly into all this gear but I opened the pamphlet and it said “The mission is pleasure but most don’t know what pleasure is or how to find it, they find it in material things which enslave them instead of give them freedom”. That’s all I read but I will say I’ve never met anyone who seemed to be having more fun, these guys were hilarious.
This update is all over the map kinda like myself, this is what happens when lots happens and I don’t update, yes. You can buy a boxed merlot wine for ~2E at tesco and it looks like a juice box, write that down.
I’ve also been thinking about how most people are, we spend so much on ourselves but give so little to others, I think a much better way to live is to spend less on oneself and give more to others. Giving does feel better than receiving, it’s true. You’ll have a 40E dinner and then not drop 25 cents into the hands of someone with nothing. Sure they messed up or whatever but still, why not? Many never give and they never receive. You look for “trades” where you want to get back from those you give to, that’s small and wrong. You give to guy X without wanting anything in return and guy Y will give to you without wanting anything in return, something, somewhere and it may not be $$$ but a favor, directions, anything… Think about it. Get in the mix and your life becomes 10000X more fun.
Considering I had no desire to ever come to Europe, I am so glad I did, this “Euro Trip” leg of this “Round da Worlda” has been absolutely out of this world and I can see why people move here, Europe is fun, especially the Eastern Block. Regarding women, Czech Republic has it all but I think most say that because they never made it to Poland. If you like it here, you’ll like it there, that’s what I’m saying. If you do go to Poland, make sure you hit up Krakow, you’ll thank me.
Back to the park, you can be enjoying yourself and doing what you want (literally) and next to you there is this trendy cafe serving 5E pints playing awesome music and you have the best of all worlds, throw in some lovely company and well it just may be heaven on earth… I look around and I’m eating exactly what I want and all I can think of is “how much would this cost in a restaurant”… Remember restaurants buy their food where you do and some dude cooks it and they have all this rent, I’m just saturated. Going to a restaurant should be a fun treat, if you eat out everyday for 10+ months, you begin to loathe them and turn into that guy ordering off the menu like “can you make me this?”.
I’m a simple man, give me potato salad, some ham and cheese and I’m good to go. Throw in some fruit and or veg to prevent scurvy and that’s all you need to “get your engines going”.
Often Docks say do not enter unless with ferry man or whatever, if you speak another language just go and hang out, if someone comes which they probably won’t, just act like you don’t speak English or the local language. Same applies for gypsies, they say “you speak English” mainly because locals are onto their tricks, just shake your head.
Oh yeah, those jackets you buy in Sapa, Vietnam haha they are NOT waterproof but perfect as a shell for when it gets slightly chilly, if you bought one and went to say the top of Whistler, you’d be in for a really cold and wet day. I mean if it cost you $35US … Gotta cut costs somewhere aka everywhere.
Finally, why do so many of you go to the gym for cardio? Why don’t you just drink vodka water on a Saturday night and dance for 5 hours with strangers, better than your 3X a week run on a treadmill. Instead of buying that gym pass, pay for club entrance fees.
Tips hat,
P.S: Why all the hating on the crooked photos, I liked em!
P.P.S: Thanks to whoever is sharing this via the “Facebook Like” button and other means, I have no clue who you are but we’re getting a lot of traffic “round heah”.
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Tags: Czech Republic, Prague
