On Saturday morning, we went to the castle part of Budapest, and to other underground caves, which we not actually that scary. They had the naffest 'trying to be philosophical but failing miserably' section about a 'lost civilisation'. We then went to a part of the castle to get brilliant views across the city, which is very pretty, especially its parliament building, (it actually has 3, as there was a competition in the 90s to design the building, and the judges couldn't decide, so they built three. All very different building s, all in a row, with first place nearest the river, and the other two behind, it is very strange)
We then wasted an afternoon strolling about, going to the main park, waiting for our 8 o clock train to Bratislava, wasting our final florin on a 52cm pizza. (It was massive...).
We got the 2 1/2 train to Bratislava and got to our hostel close to the station. We went to the bar to evening and met some nice Germans (Hi Alex and Anna if you're reading this- did you get to Budapest alright?).
On Sunday we got up leisurely and strolled into the very quiet and small centre of Bratislava. It was quiet and not that tourist-y (we wanted a quiet day as we were big city-ed out, ad the hostel did free laundry- that's the only reason we went) and went up to the castle for some good views. Given the large Tesco in the city we brought food and made ourselves a spag bol (We did have vegetables, mother). We then went for the afternoon free tour around the city which good, albeit a bit history lesson-ish. The history of Slovakia is actually quite interesting- there were pro-Nazi (unlike the Czech Republic) in the Second World War, despite still being the same country. We got back and spent the evening being sociable with our German (and Belgian) friends/acquaintances.
We got up, waited for our washing to finish (very important, I don't want my mother to get worried) and got a train to Vienna. (can you guess what the song for the day is going to be....)
Ahhhh, to be back in central/western Europe. It's only 50km west of Bratislava but it makes all the difference. Vienna is very large with an amazing transport system, and we were at the very edge of the city, at the oldest hostel in Austria. It showed. It's what old people would think of when they think of hostel, a 9pm curfew, no bar, no atmosphere, a clinical feel. We had lunch and went back to the centre of Vienna, exploring another big cathedral and whatnot, before heading back, going on the longest and most pointless walk in search of Weiner Schnitzel, before going up to the beautiful Vienna Forest, which was so peaceful at night. We met in our room at the hostel the nicest Scottish couple, who were lovely and talked to what seemed like hours. They told us in the very room that we were in, the night before had been two really interesting people. One, somebody from Liverpool (I think), who had decided to sell up everything and move to Vienna to be with girlfriend, however, she didn't open the door and wouldn't let him in, and doesn't want to be with him, and is thus staying in a hostel.
Tuesday: We went to this very exciting palace (Schoenbrunn Palace), which had beautiful gardens(...) and an a-maze-ing hedge maze and playground for adults. We then went into town and wasted away the afternoon doing something else sightseeing-y, although admittedly we'd (or at least I) had got bored by this point. In the evening we were back at the hostel and met a couple (or just two people travelling together -we weren’t sure) travelling from Romania to Belgium/Netherlands. They were nice enough.
Songs of the Days
Sat: The Jam- Going Underground. Belive me, badly lit caves are scary.
Sun: Cannonball- Damien Rice- Tenoius this, but in Bratislava we saw a cannonball permantalty dislodged in a building
Mon: What else? the whole reason I made this stupid section- This means nothing to me!!!! Ohhhhhhhhh Viennnnnnnnnnna. [Vienna- Ultravox]
Tues: It's so good, it's our song for the day for a second day in a row. Though, Joel doesn't like it -I do not know why. Mabye because it isn't 'Twee pop' [Vienna- Ultravox]
