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

Photos from 9/19/18

Me…at a loss for words upon receiving my copy of “On Sunday The Danube Flows”. Garcia Lorca is on the cover. I need another word to say thank you in Serbian. Hvala is not enough.

For all my friends who can read Serbian in Cyrillic. I am still working on Latin Serbian alphabet. This is my biography in the book.

I sent in 5 poems. “The Wave” is the one The Serbian Association of Writers published.

Photo from 9/16

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View from the 8th floor apartment I’m sharing in Belgrade, Serbia. 1st night. Writer’s Assembly starts on Wed but I’ve been asked to read tomorrow at 7pm.

Facebook post from 9/15

Have business card. Will travel. First to Chicago, then London, then Belgrade, Serbia. 2 days of travel. Anyone who wants a good old fashioned post card from parts unknown, please pm me your address. Letting God lead this journey. Knocking so that the door may be opened to me as I knocked to ask for an invitation to the Writer’s Assembly. Love to all. It has truly been a pleasure to have you as my friends and support system. Won’t be on my website during flights. Posting blogs will begin in Serbia. Goodbye, Had det, Ciao, adios etc…

The schedule is going to get a bit crazy in the next few days but I do want to post some photos at a later date.  Today was the reception at the Association of Serbian Writers in honor of the participants of the 55th Belgrade International Writers’ Assembly.

5 pm Evening of Serbian Poetry from Kosovo and Metohia

7 pm  Discovery of the Bas-Reliefs Milan Rakic

7:30 pm  The Welcoming Ceremony:  President of the Association of Serbian Writers, Mr. Radomir Andric

I received my packet from the Association in the morning and during the afternoon I was interviewed at a TV Station.

Nothing was scheduled for us today, Tuesday 9/18.  Time to sight see on the number #2 tram that circles around old town Belgrade aka Stari grad.  I became very aware today at how close the apartment is to the Kalemegdan Fortress where the  Sava and Danube river meet.  Viewing sunset from the fortress bluff above the Sava River is breath taking.  Many football (soccer)  fans were getting excited about this evening’s upcoming football match.  On one tram ride a group of young men were jumping up and down in the back of the tram singing.  They allowed me to film them and I also made a voice recording on my phone.  That was the first time I had ever heard a song sung in Serbian.

Spent most of the day getting off and on the #2 tram and walking around Kalemegdan Fortress and Park.  The weather was perfect for sleeveless tops, & sandals.  I recorded some ideas for songs and poems and took many photos. Ate dinner at a cafe on the Knez Mihailova, the city’s main pedestrian shopping street.  My accomplishment today was correctly asking for the food bill in Serbian.