Walk Alone Series 3- Budapest

 Day of disaster. I think what travel teaches you is resilience and patience if not anything else. Yesterday was an example of it. I couldn't not do anything about it. So yea- an example of how you don't really control anything including your schedule- esp your schedule.

So what do you do on those days? Just give up and surrender with joy. It's a choice you make. COming back to the facts of yesterday- I had a trip booked on Viator (thoo thoo). I had a pick up from my hotel at Bratislava and the idea was to hit the road for a 2.5 hr drive to Budapest and Budapest local sight seeing. The trip was supposed to begin at 8 am. So far with me? Not complex. Right? And then I had a flight from Budapest to Munich at 5 PM. 

Now... let's get to feelings. Oh, before that, Viator stood me up. And I ran to the bus stop to book a bus ticket. The bus was at 10 am. I went to the bus stop at a chilling weather (-1 C) by 9 am to ensure I am not missing the bus by tempting fate. It's cool right? We are smart peoples, so we don't want to lose out on the goal- which is to visit Budapest. 

Bus is on platform 11. I am at platform 11 am. 10.05- no sign of the bus and the tracker says it already left the station. Again GASP! WTF is going on! Now- it's no more the fear of missing the sights at Budapest. Reality is hitting. Will I be able to make it to the flight?

A random guy who was patiently waiting for me at this point, walks up to me super confused about bus. So we both walk up to the customer service at the bus stand to enquire, only to realize that they confirmed the reality on the tracker. What next? The next bus was not going to allow me to make it to Budapest on time. We decided to train it. Now- a small challenge. This guy coming with me. What to make of it? He looked genuinely stuck with the same problem as I am. But how do you trust a person in a foreign land and a stranger at that? Could have been anything. Sweet fellow he turned out though. We decided to Uber to the station and I booked the cab- again a false sense of lull that I have the control. :-) But well- I just took a chance and my gut said it was OK. I decided to trust the universe to keep my back. Now- too many "trusts".

We had a train at 12 noon reaching Budapest at 12.30 PM. We got a ticket. Thankfully, I got on the train and we started talking- this guy- let's call him Alex. He is French. Sweet chap. Young guy backpacking around Europe because he finished his Masters. Got off the train. And I had to tempt fate. 

I decided to tour around Budapest. Yea- you heard me right. I had a flight to Munich at 5 PM. At 2.45 PM, I decided to tour Budapest. I got into a hop on/hop off and saw the city in 45 min. What a bloody beautiful city- beats Edinburgh too. Easily one of the most beautiful cities in this world (from all the countries I visited so far).

I clicked as many pictures as I could making a mental note that I am coming back. It deserves a lot of my time (as haughty as that might sound). :-)

So racing against time and traffic jams, I ended up at the airport with all my luggage (remember I had more than 35 Kg given I was travelling international) at 4.35 PM for 5 PM flight.

If there was one happy ending (not 'that' one you perv!), it was that the universe decided to shower me with it's blessing. Super grateful. The flight got delayed by 15 min putting me on that damn plane to Munich.

And Munich- here I come!

Walk Alone Series- 2 Bratislava

 Maybe not jet lagged btw. After Prague sojourns, I slept by 8.30 PM yday. I stayed in this hotel which looks quaint but also dingy. I did feel a bit weird- kept many barriers just in case someone tried to break in. Just paranoia. No idea why I felt like that. The hotel was safe. Had enough security measures and was in a nice part of town. Anyway. That's that.

I woke up at 5.30 PM. Pitch dark outside. And -3 C. I read a book. Full book till 7.30 am. Got ready, packed and booked a ticket to Bratislava. Breakfast was a breeze. Fiber- lots of it and a slice of bread. 

Caught a bus at 11 am and went on a nice drive from Prague to Bratislava. It took us around 4.5 hr. Scenic route but mostly foogy given the time of the year. Checked in to Sheraton. And went on a city drive to check out spots and pics. I walked much lesser today than yday. It was super super cold and it was late afternoon and was already dark by the time I started. What a sweet little town though! 

All aside-, Czechoslovakia was once upon a time same country. Now it is Czech Republic and Slovakia. 2 very different cultures. Different dialect. Czech and Slovakian have different dialect- very different. Somehow I felt Slovakians were more friendly. More engaging. And sure felt safer. 

I took a few bokehs. Decent shots. 

Again- I wish I were a meat eater. The names of local dishes look very exotic. Phew. 

Someone ask me- Prague or Slovakia? Well...... Another post someday. 

Walk alone series 1- Prague

 New country. New experience. I'm a bit nervous. I'm a bit excited. 

Turns out, it is the most beautiful thing to do to explore the city- all by yourselves. You need to shed inhibition, wear comfy clothes and most importantly- shoes. And dress for the extreme weather. Carry less on your shoulder. You are all set. I clocked 12 Km walking today. 

I did one Uber in the morning because I got late for an activity I signed up for. I was also misguided by the staff on the time estimate. Actually, junta generally don't understand time fully I guess :-).. Almost always underestimation. Add to that, my flight arrived an hour late. I lost out on the shower (stink stink).

As a vegetarian, I always struggle in these places. I also get FOMO that meat eaters can actually explore it far better than I do. Well- it is what it is. You can't change my mind on this aspect. Many stalwarts tried it. And failed. 

What else? It is not too expensive, but people ask for tips. Your choice. Beer seems to be a big hit and I skipped that too. TBH, it is not a 1.5 day tour. This needs a proper 4 days.

I loved the church in the castle, love love love the christmas vibe in the city. One thing I figured in Europe is, we should come here during Christmas. It's ahm-AZ-ing. Corals in the markets, the markets themselves, the aromas of hot chocolate in the air, the lights- it's something else. On my long walk back to the hotel, I almost felt buzzed. Watching the lights. Like I was stoned wala feeling. 

Anyway- the river cruise is a high light. MArket is a highlight. The Czech Philaharmonic is something else.

I had to record this before I crash. And I guess I will be out for the next 10 hr if not more. Not a wink of sleep in the last 36 hr. 

Jet lag??? I will know when I sleep.

Tomo? hmmmm.... Bratislava it is. :-) Another trippy trip.

May come and may go

 Things happen. Shit happens. Good and bad. Yea- there's damn good shit and bad shit that happens. In a series of many things, there's the one thing that I couldn't celebrate today. I owe it to myself. Mine. Not an indulgence, but a pat on my back. 

When I entered the rare club of the extraordinary gentlemen's league, I wrote about it a few months ago. I specifically said that some day soon, I was going to celebrate it. And I am doing it now.

There are certain highs in life that counts. No matter what. I do bloody well have the cat got the cream smile. I did it. Whatever I wanted to achieve. Now- I shall stop not, to do the next thing.

So many things, I say.

To celebrate, I am checking off an item on my checklist. Hell yea- baby, here I come.