Author: keepittogetherbb

At the end of Tuesday, I was coming out of my sick funk when I returned to my bunk and a rainbow appeared out of the top bunk, aka Maria Fernanda, a lovely young woman from Brazil.  Her smile and energy were so attractive and inviting.  We went for coffee at Mavesz Barehaz.  Yes, there are some accents above the vowels on those words, however, I’m not changing my keyboard to Hungarian.  I still have Google in Serbian which I hope I will be able to fix during my stay in Norway.  After breakfast and dessert there, we walked up Andrassy Ut to the end at Heroes Square.  Along the route we stopped at the  House of Terror Museum which is a memorial and documents the torture that was endured by many people during the communism.

Maria and I discovered Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park (Varosliget) where the Szechenyi Baths are located.  I came prepared to go into the baths with my swimsuit in tow.  Maria and I separated here and made plans to take the night boat ride on the Danube at 8 pm.

The baths were a bubbling with babel in all languages.  There are 21 baths inside and out of various temperatures.  I was Goldilocks and the 21 baths testing the temperatures of all the baths to find the perfect one.  It was a difficult task but someone had to do it.  I wish I had taken a photo of the 2 lifeguard booths outside.  The young lifeguards were typically bored with their duties and one guy was etching something into the wood of the booth.

A circular section in one of the outside pools has jets that when turned on cause a strong current that moves all the people within that circle.  It was hilarious to giggle with all the nationalities.  Good times in international waters.

The dome ceiling in the entrance to the baths

Guess who didn’t buy any of this? I dried off with the hair blower.

Szchenyi Baths Budapest Hungary

Got a late start on my first day to explore Budapest.  I purchased a hop on, hop off bus ticket for 2 days.  It was super cold but I managed to take a tour around Budapest and became oriented with the town.

At the Citadel overlooking Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

Saint Stephens Basilica 

Flashback Blogs – Monday 9/24

On the day I left Belgrade, the weather changed, the temperature dropped (39 F) with chilly winds. I thought I may be able to write on the bus.  What was I thinking? At the border of Serbia and Hungary we all had to depart the bus to be processed.  It took a moment but not as much time as I thought and none of our belongings were checked.

I hated the way my belongings were packed and dreaded hauling them through Metro Stations to the hostel.  I decided I was going to treat myself to a taxi.  Well, that didn’t work out.  I asked drivers outside the bus station who were not willing to take a card and wanted 60 Euros ($69.61) cash.  I found out later that these driver’s were not official because you can use a card in any taxi.

I took the metro and was happy to see that it took me directly to Andrassy Ut 2., The Adaggio Hostel.  I was also grateful there was an ancient elevator to the 2nd floor.  I was exhausted from the full week in Serbia and was afraid I was becoming ill.  I was given a bunk that was almost on the floor and once I laid down, I did not get up for 15 hours.

Hostel across from St. Stephen’s Basilica. To the right Andrassy Ut that ends at Heroes Square. Behind the square is the Szchenyi Baths.

2nd floor is Adagio Hostel. Perfect location

Took this elevator to the hostel. Too tired to walk the steps with my baggage.

Elevator shaft. At least people can see when you’re stuck.

I’m on the bottom bunk. Keeping up with the young.

Kitchen area. Very clean accommodations

Kim from South Korea

View from Adagio Hostel balcony

My apologies for not keeping up on this blog very well.  Dorm rooms at hostels are not the best place to write since I  would be writing on my bunk.  I have been busy meeting people and not writing but today I plan to write.

It is raining in Prague.  The train ride from Vienna to Prague was a nightmare.  When I booked online, I did not reserve a seat since I have not had trouble before travelling like this.  Well, there was an accident in the Vienna area causing the trains to be 1 hour late and the crowds backed up.  When  I got on the train, I sat in a reserved seat not knowing that that seat would be taken by the next stop.  I moved to another seat and that seat was taken at the next stop.  My luck ran out and there were no more unreserved seats, so I stood for hours until I realized there was a seat next to a man that had been reserved but the reserved light went off after Bhrn, Czech Republic.

This is what happens frequently on the trains…..overbooking. people with reserved seats and people standing. I happen to be standing for 3 hours.🤔😟

I arrived at the Czech Inn Hostel where Clayton had stayed 2 years prior.  I booked a bed in the 34 bed room in the cellar.  It is very comfortable and the people are super quiet.  Only the noise of zippers opening and shutting and lockers being opened.

I made it to the Czech Inn, Prague after a test of patience train ride from Vienna where dozens of people were not able to sit in a seat.
Now I am in a cellar with 34 beds. It’s pretty cool. Literally. I’ll probably have dreams of “A Farewell to Arms” thinking of war hospitals. — in Prague