Jul 05

July 4-5 Surprising Train Adventure from Austria to the Nederlands

Tj packed for train travelJuly 4th – Today was Independence Day in the states with picnics and fireworks. We did not have fireworks, but we did have the most amazing barbecue dinner with Nik and his family. I did not miss the fireworks, since we were in the best company with delicious food to enjoy.
Katherina (Nik’s mom) brought the food. She made this garlic sauce to go on the lamb but we all put it on every single item on our plates, it was THAT good. We had the lamb, garlic sauce, steak, potatoes, yummy warm bread and a favorite dish of theirs called ??????? Oh and Peter’s favorite cake that Katherina made, which I had no room left in my stomach to try, but everyone else ate a piece. I have no idea how the managed it? LOL
So fortunate to have “family” in Austria and I treasure their love and friendship.
Many hugs and warm wishes later, we made an early night of it and turned in.

July 5th – Woke up and began our boring job of washing clothes and packing. Got some work done.
I did have a piece of cake for breakfast. Yep, fantastic and even better when I put some fig preserves on it.
Later in the evening Nik arrived home, then Peter (his dad) came by to pick us up for the trip to the train station.
Had a short meaningful talk with Niki. Will miss him like crazy and love him dearly.

Started our overnight train journey in Meidling Austria to Heerlen Nederlands at 8.35pm.
I walked through the station wearing my pillow like a turtle shell. LOL I have gotten to where comfort comes before anything, even possibly looking ridiculous.
We grabbed a quick bite of food then went to find our train.
I was not sure what to expect, as I have never been on an overnight train trip, but when I walked into our tiny room I was wondering where we would store our stuff and move around. Then like “how do I get into the top bunk?” I found the ladder and quickly figured out where to place it. Ta-Da!
There were welcome bags of sangria, slippers, towels, mints, water, ear plugs and such waiting for us.
There was no AC and it was hot. Had to open the little window to catch a breeze, but you also end up catching LOUD noises, tunnels that vacuum your ears out, country animal smells, city smells, non-stop flashing lights and stops at different train stations with loud people noises. The wind kept the window flapping loudly too. Then there is the movement of the very fast train.
So I might be the pickiest person in the world where it comes to sleep. I need a fan for white noise. I need my pillow. I need quiet. I need it dark. I need…I need…
I sure surprised Han, but myself even more so, that I was asleep within a short period and slept an undisturbed deep sleep. The train was like a lullaby to me. I am still dreaming of riding one again soon.

When Han shook me at 5:00am, I was not ready to wake up, but no choice as we had six minutes to get our butts off the train at 5:37am at Frankfurt International Airport. In the meantime the stewardess brought us our to-go breakfast and quickly evicted us off the train, because of course another train was soon to be entering behind us.

The rest of the train changes were seats and we changed trains three different times after that.
In Frankfurt we jumped on the train our train to what we thought would be Herzogenrath Germany, but we ended up in Liege Belgium because the clerk issued the wrong tickets. Figuring out the train system is something of a maze, even for those who work in the system, because there are so many connection options inside the many timetables. As a result we were in struggle mode as to how to get to our planned destination. (travel is always an adventure and expect the unexpected) In Liege we found a train heading to Maastricht Nederland’s, and jumped aboard without legitimate tickets and hoped for the best, we lucked out and no one checked. The train systems here are on an expanded honor system, but if you are caught without a ticket, there is a fine.

Once in Maastricht we located the train traveling to Heerlen (Han’s hometown), jumped on board but Han thought better than to push our luck, so he asked the conductor about tickets. The conductor realized the mistake that was made and even though he worked for another railroad company, he welcomed us aboard without having to purchase an actual ticket. People are so dang cool here.

Arrived in Heerlen two hours late at 11:30am, Marlies picked us up and we went to their home, chatted some, ate some then rested.
The rest of the day was spent talking about our adventures and ordering Chinese take-out babi pangang.

Hint: Pillows also come in handy when you are overcome by others BO smell and need to breath. Two guys on the track from Liege to Maastricht were also spraying their cologne around. Worse to date. People please take a shower before entering the confinement of a bus or train compartment!

Jul 03

July 3 – Adventures Happen Naturally on Trains

new friendsOur mode of transportation today was walk to Budapest central train station, grab the train to Vienna, change trains at Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof (main station) for a regional train to Liesing; and there get on the bus to Breitenfurt to get off at bus stop to finish our trip by foot (approx 2/3 mile) pulling our luggage as we walked through the neighborhood. Travel is fun. LOL

But we met some great people on the first part of our trip, and had enjoyable talks.
After a while of staring at computer and phone screens, We all decided to put our electronics away and focus on some old fashioned interaction.
The friendships we are making along the way are very rewarding, and you learn so much about yourself on the journey of learning about others.

We are now Facebook friends and it is so cool to continue to learn and see them via the internet.

I will just mention their first names of Daniel and Lé, and here is sending you both many hugs.
Also got a smidgen worried when border patrol started walking the train because they had two possible refugees on board. It all turned out fine, but it is a very touchy situation in many parts of the EU. As our train friends explained, Hungary is responsible for making sure there are no refugees on the train to Vienna, as there is no border patrol.

Daniel and Lé, who travel this route often said, it is very common occurrence and taken quite seriously after last year’s excesses on this route.

Jul 02

July 2 – Feet Were Our Modes of Transportation Today

Parliament in BudapestJuly 2 – Bus, Boat, Feet! However Mainly Feet Were Our Modes of Transportation Today

Jumped on the bus, walked to Dock 10 to board boat trip down the Danube and sat back to enjoy. The boat was incredibly crowded but we finally found a lovely little breezy spot to cool off and relax.
We saw pretty much the same buildings from yesterday, but from the water side.
The one that stood out was the Parliament Building. Such a shame that they need something so grand, huge and pretentious, when their entire city needs a facelift and there are hungry people wandering the streets.
I am not dogging on Budapest, as I have seen cities in the states just as guilty, if not more so. It is so sickening to me. The fat cats just keep getting fatter.

We had a late lunch again, this time at “The Casablanca” and it was good but I personally would not give it a huge thumbs up. This is where a gentleman was walking around looking for leftover food he could grab, and quite honestly, he haunted my sleep last night. It is horrible to witness such desperation. I looked for him upon leaving to give him some euros but he was gone. I really should have jumped up immediately and not have waited to help someone in need. Not feeling guilty, but just use it as another learning opportunity in life.

When we arrived back to the dock, we went in search of the nearest bus stop. We were told they had already stopped running for the day, due to the “Gay Pride Parade” that had been in process while we were on the boat.
I was peeved on two accounts; that we missed the parade because I would have definitely had my happy butt marching and we had to walk back to the damn hotel. Han thinks it was about four miles but it sure felt longer than that.
We had already walked quite a ways to the nearest bus stop, when we found out we had to start a zig-zag path back to the other main road where our hotel was located. We did see some very interesting places, took my favorite photo of the entire trip and enjoyed it as best we could. I did not wear shoes fit for it either.
We stopped in Burger King for a diet coke and to use the bathroom, where you have to key in a number from your receipt to gain access and also had a guard at the front door.
I never felt unsafe here, but it is not a city I would feel happy or even satisfied to live in. It is quite depressing and even the colors are all faded to drab.

Not complaining, just explaining how to create more comfort while traveling.
I used to think that camping out was the Holiday Inn, but I have now become accustomed and have even enjoyed learning another way of life. Has been a beautiful education, that you will never learn from books.
Like this hotel in Budapest. Was not able to travel with my own pillow and this hotel had feather ones and my pillow had feathers that kept poking me in the face. Obviously not comfortable, so I fixed the situation.
Removed the comforter from duvet, rolled the comforter as a pillow and covered up with the duvet cover, since it was too warm in the room for a comforter anyway.

When I do sometimes complain, I even learn from that, but the main thing is how fortunate I am to see, realize and know so many different places to compare. Not in a bad way, but just to realize what I like and don’t like that encompasses the world, not just the states. Once again, a true education in humanity that at times exceeds and sometimes fails miserably.

Jul 01

July 1 – Do I Dare Say, “Not Impressed” but Still Thankful to Travel

lunch at new york cafeWe went sightseeing on uncovered bus today. We are going to get suntans because it is a real scorcher outside.
There are some beautiful buildings of old and new, sculptures, art work and an excellent selection of humans to watch.
The tour bus guide and driver were not particularly friendly, but we hear it’s because people are cranky due to the hotter than normal weather.

Honestly, this may be one of the least friendly cities I have ever visited. Smiles are in short demand and people in general have a down trodden attitude.
In looking around, I could not help but notice there was were many mentally and physically challenged individuals, homelessness is everywhere, mattresses lay on the open sidewalks, guards stand at doors to keep loiters out, we saw one person laid flat out on the sidewalk sound asleep during the day, vagrants are hanging around restaurant tables hoping to find some food left for them to grab, the smell of pee is worse than San Francisco and trash is thrown down everywhere. No one cares. They just throw it down and walk on.
Some of the amazing buildings are in desperate need of renovation before they crumble to the ground. It is surely disheartening to see.
We did see a few buildings that were getting a facelift, but way too many more that need it. Han said they are not getting enough support from the EU. It definitely does not go unnoticed.

We had a somewhat expensive late lunch at the “New York Cafe” and is said to be the most beautiful cafe in the world, in which I would have to agree. Lunch was lovely, however a but overpriced for what you are served, so you are definitely paying for the atmosphere and privilege of eating there. Taking photos of such elegant, a bit over the top restaurant was fun. We were running (not really running) all over after our lunch snapping great pics.
http://www.newyorkcafe.hu/main-page.html?lang=en

We had a leisurely walk back to the hotel, jumped into a cold shower and relaxed for the evening to ready ourselves for another day in the sun.

Jun 30

June 30, 2016 – Once Mysterious Budapest

100_3003June 30 – Arrive in Budapest Hungary, once a city of power during the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.
Train trip was fine, had a table we could use and get some work done.
Arrived right on time, the train station was within walking distance to the hotel Hungaria and we were able to check in immediately.

My first initial impression was why were there McD’s, Burger King and KFC the first things we see when getting off the train and in some of the most beautiful buildings. Just did not seem to make any sense.

We explored only for a short period on arrival. Went to the grocery store and on the way back I ventured into a second hand store called “Cream Outlet.” It was fabulous. I bought five different, very cool skirts (one very hippy style) for Euro 2.00 each. I think the clothes are leftovers from actual stores, they buy them in bulk and resale them.
http://www.creamhasznaltruha.hu

We ate dinner in the hotel, surrounded by large groups of elderly German women, the standard issue Asian groups and families and the music of a greying Jantschi Bahtschi gypsy violonist, who knew his way quite well through a repertoire of pleasing oldies. He played Somewhere over the Rainbow for me and Tulips from Amsterdam  for Han, which earned him a tip. We discussed our plans for tomorrow over dessert and settled on a Hop On – Hop Off kind of a day.
Hotel: http://www.danubiushotels.com/our-hotels-budapest/hotel-hungaria-city-center

Load more