A fan of Micheal Jackson (Vienna)

At the end of the main street was the Renascence Hotel, beautiful building by night, but astonishingly boring by day. I went inside to enquire as to the price, feeling in the mood for a hotel. My thoughts had been something of get some work done, have a good nights sleep, be up at some reasonably respectable time the next day. I was by no means set on it.
“How much!?”
'150 euro for a room and breakfast'
I suspected the cost was going to be well out of my range, but I inquired into a room without breakfast for the sake of seeing what they ask.
'99 euros sir'.
I felt like John Travolta asking if there's bourbon in the $5 shake. All I can say for 51 euro, I hope it is delivered to you by a skimpy dressed maid, baring a silver platter, or at least campaign. So I went to see what the fuss was about and had a look at the dinner menu. I would say well priced for what it was, but boring, almost all the dishes on the regular menu failed to inspire me, but the featured one I must say did. A showcase of goose, with a nominal amount of courses, I was really exited when the entree was only 10 euro. Unfortunately the restaurant had been booked out that night so I never got to try it.


I found a pub with wifi to get my bearings, the bar tender was incredibly helpful, and seemed incredibly 'friendly'. So I met the locals and compared beers and played darts, long time since I've played but I could get into it as an alternative to pool. And talked the night away while some cool old grooves played in the background (yeah, I did just say that). People came and went, originally there was four of us, the regulars came in for there rounds, taxi drivers (for coffee), and a policeman. Until the end where, the bar was closing and it was just the two of us. With the bar packed up and ready to leave, we through on some music to dance to. Dance we did and wow she was really, very good.


She beat my to ask if I could walk the other to the train station, at the station. Despite, being in a new city the want to explore, and a beautiful girl standing in front of me, it was the second place I wanted to be. For all long time that evening I was wondering should I kiss her, there was something good going there. Every part of myself, or at least the three usual suspects in a power struggle were sending me messages, and not agreeing between themselves. Heart with Szilvi, head knowing that would end, and well... No points for guessing he last one. I said, that “I'd let her know next time I'm coming through.”


I at least saw a little of the city, but hardly enough to say I've truly experienced it, more than a tease. Vienna seemed to have a mix of many things, and it's a curious mix when it comes to town planning, never before and I doubt ever again will I see a religious building next to a strip club. (funny enough, this would be proved wrong a few weeks later). But there it was a impressive cathedral, with a very low budget looking strip club right beside.

I was taking the tram back to the train station when I saw it. An opportunity to ring out my shoes and another pair of socks. Looking like something out to the X-games was the skate park. When Jack and I were young, we'ld be wanting to stop into any park we past, now older with my own time management, haven't changed much. I spent the rest of the afternoon there with my rolling vice, until it was time to get my train back to Budapest.

For Saturday nights and Sunday Mornings.

Cold Feet (Sopron)

It was a misty night setting in as I arrived in Sopron, cool without breeze. A relief after the bustling streets of the capital, and major cities. As I looked for my hotel I could see ruins by the sides of the cobbled streets of the architecture of the once expansive Roman empire. After a routine check in and bag drop at the best Western, the sudden realisation came in that I was famished. Extending to my perception of a sleepy town, the small restaurant that would satisfy my hunger that night was to be occupied by only one other group than myself, though it was early in the week and getting later in the night. However the occupants were jovial, and between them trying to create the ambiance and volume of every other table left vacant. Going from there mood, I'm sure they would of been quite happy to have me join in there singing, but my lack comprehension of Hungarian settled me as audience rather than participant. When the time came for me to wonder, the mist had set in so far as not to be able to see the end of the street. Not far away a pale blue glow shimmered as a beacon in the sky thus becoming the target of exploration, that loomed as the fire tower as I approached; underneath, the entrance to the town square.

Hardly passing anyone as I walked through the streets, I was becoming reflective of the last few weeks, mainly of when I left Poland. I had talked much of my mind with a few people, but I was alone with my thoughts properly for the first time in a while. And of course with the love of irony, on the mistiest night I would see on the trip, my head started to clear. Some nights in Budapest, Szilvi and I would talk to the early hours of the morning, four or five hours at a time, with the practicality of some sleep bringing the close to most conversations. I was wandering around the misty streets, but I had now come to terms with something I knew, with a bit more clarity, and my heart and mind come to rest on a common ground.


One thing every low budget traveller will comment on, though usually dropped in recount, is walking, a lot of walking. My whole point for mentioning this, being no different, my choice in footwear is around my sport: skateboarding, thus the rapid destruction of shoes. I had woken the the sound of rain, and the rest of the day it would keep me company with a thoroughly inadequate umbrella turning inside out with any moderate speed gust of wind. And the shoes worn through at the heels at this piont. The sights of the town, last night covered in the mystique of the mist was now under a heavy wet gloom of grey. By the time I had made the five minute walk into town, my socks were water logged through the split in my heals. And for the first time in my life I would find sanctuary under the roof of the church.



A moral boost was in order, so at the first bakery I turned in for a treat. I have always had a strong love for bakery goods, but in Hungary I think I had started to gain wait for the love of them. Rolled and fired doughnuts, scrolls of chocolate and pastry or orange and poppy seed. Greeted at the counter the lady to served me said to me "guten Tag" To which I started responding "Nem Ertem Mag..."? (I don't understand Hung..) "Sorry I can't speak German". I gave this some thought as I ate. Sopron is as far west as you can be in Hungery without leaving the country. Twenty minutes later, I found that a train to Vienna takes four hours and leaves in two. I took that time to once more see the town, before taking the train and changing to fresh foot insulation of two pairs of socks.

Sopron Fire Tower

Sleepy town