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Published: August 18th 2009
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“Ladies and Gentlemen! Are you ready? I said are you ready! Here he is! The blues man! The King of the Blues! B! B! (Pauses) Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggg!” The crowd rises; the band plays as BB shuffles along the stage to take his seat. He’s 83 now and it didn’t matter. BB was a perfect excuse to come visit one of Eastern Europe’s most attractive cities, Budapest.
Coming from my Cairo whipping at the hands of a 46-year-old Egyptian Tennis Pro, the next day was the concert. He was playing throughout Europe and I had 4 cities to choose from. Paris, Vienna, Prague or Budapest. I liked the latter the most from my JP1-2 trips.
Something special about Budapest. The architecture is really impressive especially along Andrassy St where I picked up my ticket. It passes the Opera House and other grand buildings. Andrassy finishes at Heroes Square, a striking monument. That is at the entrance to the city park where the Szchenyi Baths are. The baths were a perfect way to kill a day and the perfect remedy to heel my sore muscle from tennis.
Closer to the Danube, on the Buda side is the Royal Palace, which has
prime views and best in the afternoon. But it was a fleeting visit this time round. Nightlife disappointed with bloody Bros that 80’s boy band being played and other crap.
I did notice a few changes here and a slight readjustment needed to be done. Toilets are always one of the first things to notice a difference. The big one was that the toilet paper is not always on the left anymore. Because of the no shaking hands with left hand in Muslim countries, I was always leaning to the right. Also I didn’t have to look for toilet paper in the form of restaurant napkins. Having a free piss is always nice too.
The one thing that really made me aware that there was a cultural change was at night going out with people at the hostel. A police car was at the lights and I went over to ask what time the last bus is. They looked at me and drove off so as the car went I hit the trunk with a stop tap. People were saying “What are you doing you can’t do that! It’s the police!”
See for the past 6 months
I have been travelling countries where the best way to treat authority is to not show them much respect. To give them respect shows a sign of weakness of which they will take advantage of you. Saying “I don’t understand?” worked before, here not as much. Luckily they drove on. I was crossing the road at will, not waiting at the lights. I had to change back to normality.
On my first night going back at 3:30am I saw this girl going through a violet streak of vomiting on the platform. I think the tram driver was entertained so much that the tram stayed throughout the duration of the vomit. Her head was bopping up and down from the window. The only time I saw her was when her head came up with painful expressions on her face. Female life is different here. Europe is different.
One thing that wasn’t different was catching up with a good friend of mine Nick the American/Slovenian from JP2. As with JP2 visit I caught a midday train from Budapest’s Deli Train station and it took an excruciating 10hours to arrive at Ljubljana (yes I can spell that now withour spillchick!!) As
with last time I arrived late at night with Nick not at the platform. Thinking, "Oh man Nicks dogged me” I used my memory of 5 years back to find the right side to exit and at the exact spot under the same circumstances 5 years on at the stairs I hear Nick again “Hey Drew! Is that you?” Hilarious coincidence.
Ljubljana is a really nice little city, more a town but July is an awful time to be here. It’s sunny, green but the locals are long gone to the Adriatic. Nightlife is not much, which was a standout last time. Nick hadn’t changed too much to when we backpacked the Baltic’s together. Still a late starter but when we did get out we went to Ljubljana’s highest hill. A very local thing to do on a Sunday afternoon.
The climb up is not too difficult but I was feeling the affects of Egypt still and my body was feeling drained but I got plenty of rest along the way. Nick smoking a cigarette at the top probably explains his struggle up which was quite comical. At the top, the views are brilliant but emphasises how small
the Slovenian capital is. I think Slovenia would be better appreciated if I had a car.
Transport for me out was by train, I didn’t do much train travel in my 2 previous Journeys in Europe. And I am now seeing what I was missing. The Slovenian countryside is simply stunning! Passing quaint little villages, green hills and valleys topped off with pine trees. The green is so much more enhanced after the Middle East trip.
In the train it seems so peaceful it’s as if the country is for the hearing impaired. The train carriages are so quiet - You could have a party in them and the carriage next door wouldn’t know. But having a party is probably not possible as Europe’s pricing hits hard. Christ how is the last few months going to go financially… I had Europe down pat last time but people change. I use to sacrifice food for drink - I don’t know if I can do that this time round.
Budapest has twice delivered great music experiences. 2004 (JP2) it was Eastern Europe’s biggest Music Festival Sziget. In 2009 (JP4) it was BB King and his band. Seeing old artists
play is such a different experience to modern artists. The band members seem so grateful for their opportunity. Music seems to be about getting in your head now. Whereas listening and seeing BB King and his band, it hits something much deeper and lower than that. Thanks BB for getting me motivated to go back to Europe and great to catch up with you again Nick. Challenges aren’t as hard now, functioning has begun. Backpacking is coming to a close. This is the start of the holiday.
Budapest has twice delivered great music experiences. 2004 (JP2) it was Eastern Europe’s biggest Music Festival Sziget. In 2009 (JP4) it was BB King and his band. Seeing old artists play is such a different experience to modern artists. The band members seem so grateful for their opportunity. Music seems to be about getting in your head now whereas listening and seeing BB King and his band play it hits something much deeper and lower than that. Thanks BB for getting me motivated to go back to Europe and great to catch up with you again Nick. Challenges aren’t as hard now, functioning has begun. Backpacking is coming to a close. This
is the start of the holiday.
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Rob_n_Lorenza
Rob & Lorenza B
definitely a good excuse to go to Budapest!