Posts Tagged travel
Critical Mass
When I turned the corner into Dub Utca I almost choked on my Kebab as I found myself trapped in the middle of what appeared to be the annual southern migration stampede of the Hungarian bicycle. I am not exaggerating when I say that literally thousands upon thousands of bicycles were being peddled in a cavalier fashion through the streets of Budapest. What could this be? A terrorist attack? A Hungarian petrol crisis? A world record attempt for the largest bicycle tour group?
As I was pondering this thought - and running for safety to the nearest doorway - I was handed a leaflet. I mopped the mayo from my chin and read:
“Raise your two-wheeled metal lump of loveliness in the air! Hug your bike like it’s the spouse you haven’t seen for 13 years after serving a jail sentence for slashing car tires! Kiss the handlebars that bring you joy every day as you roll around the city! Why? Because its time for Budapest’s Critical Mass once again.”
Yes, in a cry of protest against pollution and congestion in the city, every cyclist worth their salt grabs hold of their beloved two-wheeled vehicle and bikes across the city from Hero’s square to Buda park. Then, in what seems like a war cry, each person holds their bike above their heads and shout “Whaaaaaaaa” (or something very similar to that).
The Critical Mass event of Budapest happens twice a year and has raised an awareness of environmental issues to the Hungarian government with more than 30km of cycle paths being constructed each year as a result of this campaign. Are you impressed? I finished my kebab and “walked” to my hostel.
Add comment September 26, 2008
Does the ambassador really like Ferrero Rocher?
I have a knack of never meeting the ambassador, only ever his close family. In July I had dinner with Ezekiel McCleary from Bleary. Zeke is the 1st cousin of Boyd McCleary, the British High Commissioner to Malaysia. And now it appears that I have just spent 48 hours of my life in the company of Charles De Cerjat, son of the Swiss Ambassador to Poland.
We shared a bunk; ate traditional Hungarian fare in an underground canteen; had to share a carriage with copious amounts of cannabis smoke and an “overly happy” Hungarian (you can figure it out I’m sure); slept on each other’s shoulders (only until we realised); helped an elderly Serbian couple enter a train whilst it was moving (the Serbian couple had run to the side of the train from the tracks and needed to be actually hauled up to safety); watched each others backs and learned from each others life experiences. Yes, for 2 whole days Charles de Cerjat - who is traveling the world on a Swiss diplomatic passport - was my mate. My only regret was not asking him if the ambassador really does like Ferrero Rocher!?
Add comment September 26, 2008
Merle and Larry
In Prague I had the most enjoyable afternoon. We signed up for a walking tour of the city (to see the sights) and there were about a dozen of us altogehter. But the buildings, cobbled courtyards and bridges of Prague (as beautiful and breath-taking as they are) paled to insignificance compared to the eclectic mix of God’s creation which assembled for the tour; New-yorkers, Belgians, English, Canadians, Irish and Slovaks.
Among this motley international pack of tourists was a ’special’ couple. As their names suggest, Larry and Merle are the all American couple in their twilight years. Merle was wisely dressed in a full-length winter coat, knitted berry and sporting a pair of (largely impractical) golden shoes. Larry, who is obviously too cool for school, was wearing a leather jacket and peaked cap (he could’ve been mistaken as a soviet guard). We struck up a conversation which covered everything from dietary requirements to cruise ship entertainment! And if you haven’t guessed already you’ve probably got it now… Yes, Larry and Merle are American cabaret stars! If you are one of the few who have never heard of them you can check out their website here.
Nina, the native tour guide, took our group off the beaten track to a lesser known strudel-bar. In this steamy cafe - whilst sipping on hot wine - we chatted excitedly to one another about life and experiences, travels and work, family and ambitions. Our farewell was eminent and our shared experience short-lived but it reminded me that the most wonderful, breath-taking and beautiful of all the sights in Prague was not the Charles Bridge or the Tyn Church but that of God’s creation. Seeing the sights is only part of the experience - people are the rest!
5 comments September 22, 2008
Dresden called
Traveling is an art form. I imagine that every lone voyager is filled with a certain amount of trepidation at the prospects of ‘failing’. Failure may comprise of the following events. 1) Being ripped off; 2) missing your plane/train/bus; 3) Being unable to start and hold an interesting conversation which goes further than “where you from”, “where you going to” and “how long you traveling for”.
Thankfully - assesing myself on the above criteria - I have been reasonably successful.
I boarded the Berlin-Prague train yesterday afternoon at 14:45. I selected a compartment which only had one tame-looking young man in it. I stumbled in noisily and very aware that I was ruining his ‘potentially’ peaceful journey. I started a conversation (where you from/going to etc). Turns out he is a vietnamese studying economics in Berlin. He travels once a month to meet his girlfiend for a weekend in Prague. She lives in Prague. Shortly into the journey he opened his sachel and produced to tins of German bier and offered one to me. I kindly and politely accepted his offer. I, in return, delved into my rucksack and produced 2 orange kit-kats. He accepted like a true student. We chatted (and laughed) non-stop for over 2 hours covering everything from German politics and theology to the health risks of smoking.
As the trained pulled into Dresden, my new friend (Zuong), informed me that it was a very impressive small city/large town and it was well worth a visit. So I decided to delay my trip to Prague and spend 22 hours in Dresden. It was nice.
22hours later and I’m back on the train to Prague and got talking to a Black American lawyor who works in Dresden and owns an apartment in Stutgart! He seems to have his finger in many pies. Runs a small internet buisness out of Bangladesh with 19 employees and owns the domain names to over one hundred ‘dot com’ companies! - Rich Man. I prayed that he’d give me some of his ‘well earned cash’. Not so!
2 comments September 19, 2008
Things I should do before I’m 30 (in no particular order!)
At the time of writing this post I am a single male aged twenty-nine years and six months. I have no regular job although my future seems to be taken care off so I’m not worried. I’m assured.
However, I can’t help but feel like there’s something terribly grown-up about being thirty something. When the twenties have passed we no longer have the right/freedom/excuse to be irresponsible, fool-hardy and adventurous. Therefore the time has come for me to write down some achievable ‘tasks’ which may enhance my life experiences over the next six months. This list of ‘things to do before I’m 30′ helps to legitimise some of my hankerings and challenge my comfort zones.
Thank you to my friends for your helpful comments and suggestions. I have decided to omit: shooting something; sleeping rough; speed-dating; parachute jumping; buying a PHD and getting married. These suggestions were - after much contemplation - either too expensive, too desperate or too uncomfortable. But thanks anyway!
Hopefully this ”to do” list will generate enough material to keep my blog alive for a bit longer!
- Do some overseas travel by myself
- Go to a ballet
- Learn a second language (excluding biblical Greek and Hebrew)
- Grow vegetables
- Ride a motorbike
- Play guitar in church
- Own a pet
- Test drive an expensive car that I have no intention of buying
- Make friends with a celebrity
- Climb a mountain
- Take up a sport
- Start a society
- Become a volunteer in an organisation
- Apply for a T.V. show
- Cook dinner for a stranger
- Sell something on ebay
- Organise a street party
- Go busking for an afternoon
- Send flowers to a girl who’s not related to me
- Go on a road-trip in Ireland and camp somewhere which isn’t a campsite and cook breakfast in the morning on a trangia stove
- Broaden my friendship circle to better represent the cultural and religious differences in society
- Lead someone to Jesus
- Go to a music festival
- Eat at a Michelin starred restaurant
- Read “Cloud Atlas” (I chose this at random from a list)
- Record my family history
- Watch the “Star Wars Trilogy”
- Get something published
- Visit London
- Sing Karaoke
5 comments August 22, 2008
