Europe 06

Montenegro

2006-10-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

I got to see more of the country today with a trip to the country of Serbia-Montenegro. Its a part of ex Yugoslavia and they stayed together during the war when they teamed up on Croatia. Other parts of Yugo include Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia. So now you know. They were communist but not necessarily aligned with the USSR. They maintain strong relations with Russia due to the Orthodox church.

Their country is also BEAUTIFUL. The first place we stopped was Our Lady of the Rock church. For a history, go here:
http://www.montenegro.com/en/Fascinada,_Our_Lady_of_Skrpjel,_Perast_Islands.html

Google images for more. The downside of this trip was I was on a bus with a bunch of old people. I knew I was in trouble on our first stop when instead of going to see history, all the old ladies bee-lined for the toilet to empty their thimble bladders. Also on the trip was an "active listener." You may know this type and guys from HazMat CEs know what Im talking about. Every point that was made she said, "Uh huh. Uh huh." I was standing in a centuries old Catholic church wondering if there would be a special place in hell for me if I choked her out right there in front of the alter.

There was another couple who repeated everything the guide said. The wife was doing this for the husband who was hard of hearing. Hey Euros, have you ever heard of Miracle Ear? Well, on second thought maybe he hadnt because he was nearly deaf, but you would think she might throw him a bone on this one.

For all of you who are saying I should be more patient because Ill be old someday...You can fuck right off because Im not now.

Anyway, the trip also went to some other fishing villages including Kotor and Budva. Everytime the guide mentioned we were having lunch in Budva I thought we were having it in bed. Its pronounced Bood-wah, like the bedroom. Beautiful fishing village, again surrounded by centuries old walls. Kotor, among other places we visited, is a UNESCO world heritage sight.

The drive through Montenegro was spectacular. All the villages were literally sourrouned by 5,000 foot peaks not a mile from the shore. Google images it if you want to see!

Ive got some great pics from the trip to share as well.

Tomorrow is a travel day which has me in Budapest until the next day. No big plans but I will see a bit more of the city where it all started.

Likely to be my last post. Hope you all enjoyed.

Elephite Islands

2006-10-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

Last night was my best night yet. I went to a Canadian run cafe and ended up drinking beers until 11 p.m. with two Aussies living in London. We talked politics, the Simpsons and everything in between. They were damn funny wankers!

Today I learned a lot about the Elephite Islands and other things.

I booked the trip yesterday and it cost about $40 and included lunch and all you could drink Croatian wine and grappa. The wine sucked, but all wine does as far as I'm concerned. The grappa was outstanding! I'm not sure what the English word for grappa is, but I'm pretty sure it's hooch. All it is is homemade liquor stored in old juice bottles and it is strong!

Lunch was a fish fry but you could order chicken if you didn't want fish, which is what I did. Maybe it has lost something in translation, but apparently chicken in Croatian means "schnitzel." That's what I got. Some sort of grilled weiner but it was good nonetheless.

I might add the sea was angry this day my friends! A cold wind was blowing which caused rough seas. I was splashed more than once in this ship which they told me was over 100 years old. I apologize to every woman who has ever had something salty splashed in their face unexpectedly. I have to admit it's not as pleasurable as I had led myself to believe!

The ship was supposedly over 100 years old. I'm no maritime historian but I wasn't aware ships of that era had steel masts and diesel engines. Now I have no doubt the mate was a mighty sailing man and the skipper brave and sure, but they were hardly being honest. Maybe the hull dated back to last century, but it all seemed pretty modern to me.

The islands were pretty neat. The first one was a short stop and featured some old ruins. The second stop was over 2 hours and I hiked all over and saw St. John's church ruins, which dated back to the 10th century. It was amazing to think this church had likely outlived everything on the island. Even if there were a tree that was 500 years old on the island, it was only half as old as this church. The views were great and I got some great pictures as well.

I got back to the boat to find they had already sailed once and realized they forgot me and came back. I wanted to feel bad but they were the ones who left earlier than promised. (Like I said, they had a history of being dishonest!) We ended up back in port at 5:30 and were supposed to be gone until 6 p.m., so I rest my case.

That is all. I'm off to put on some long sleeves as it gets cold here quickly when the sun goes down.

Lokrum

2006-10-07T04:46:00.000-07:00

I took a boat ride over to the island of Lokrum and toured there this morning. It's a pretty neat place with some ruins, a botanical garden and a restaurant where I shared a $20 lunch of cold beer, smoked salmon, Italian bread, fresh tomatoes and cukes, and French fries. I first shared it with a peacock who liked bread and then a cat who definitely liked smoked salmon. I didn't give him much but I could tell he appreciated it. There was also some sort of wild fruit on the island that I took a chance on and ate. It was pretty good too. I don't know what it's called but the peacocks liked them too.

Google Image Lokrum to see where I was today.

Dubrovnik day

2006-10-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

Had a great day today. I got up early and began my tour of Dubrovnik by starting on the wall around the old town. This place has been here at least since the 13th century, which I find amazing. It's been built and rebuilt due to war, natural disasters, etc., but never because of the good old American reason...it's outlived its usefulness. They don't tear things down here. They preserve them.

I was all set to cap it off with a few beers and a nice dinner, so I sat down at a nice sidewalk cafe' and ordered beer, lasagna as an appetizer and grilled fish. That's when I realized I sat down next to three chimneys with vaginas! These three Eurobroads were probably about 15 years old, but it was difficult to tell with the way the sun and cigarettes had aged their skin. Okay, they were about 50 years old, but you get the point. They never stopped smoking. I bet the three of them had 10 cigs apiece during dinner. Of course, it was wafting right into my area. Normally I would wish cancer on them, but I don't think I need to. They are well on their way. And so am I thanks to them.

Americans may be fat but the Euros all smoke ten times more than we do. They can't possibly be any healthier than we are.

Tomorrow I will maybe take a boat tour of the surrounding islands. The walk around the walls was the highlight of the trip so far. The sun came out today and it was about 80 degrees. A great way to wind up the trip is to spend a few days here.

My host, Nick, is 19 and speaks English well. He gave me some good tips on restaurants and bars today. I got some great photos during the walk and during sunset thanks to him.

Nick is a nice kid and is planning on visiting America next year. He is bit of a close talker and he could use a breath mint, but other than that I like him.

Dubrovnik

2006-10-05T06:25:00.000-07:00

The drive from Split to Dubrovnik might be the most beautiful Ive ever seen. Its coastal all the way with about a quarter mile of houses from the ocean to the soaring cliffs.

My only regret is it is cloudy so the pics wont be near as good as they could be.

Dubrovnik was just like Split. People were fighting me for a room so I chose a kid named Nik who spoke perfect English. Another 200 Kuna per night (which is about $33.)

I will spend the final five days here before taking the long bus ride to Zagreb and then the flight to Budapest.

The last two days have been rainy so I havent done much. Really the only thing the rain is bothering is my liver and its supposed to clear up tomorrow.

Croatian women are very pretty. They are also lucky. Lucky I have a girlfriend (Hi KO!) that is. (And even luckier that I dont have any game anway so it wouldnt even matter!)

I have to go find a good map. I made the mistake of leaving the bus station without one so I hiked back to get it. I got on a bus to nowhere that eventually returned me to where I started. A scenic loop, but a waste of time nonetheless.

All your comments

2006-10-03T22:59:00.000-07:00

Hardy har har!

I've seen one minivan the entire time I've been here. It was broken down on the side of the road and looks like it hadn't been driven in years. There were two homos sucking each other's cocks in the back however.

Thanks for the correction on Split. I was only going by what I was told. I suppose you could contact the lady from whom I'm renting a room and ask her if her building is really 300 years old.

I see the Cardinals won last night. With the shape the NL is in the pennant is wide open. There will be no getting by the Yankees unfortunately.

Going to explore Split and Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reed out!

Split Zagreb

2006-10-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

Euro keyboard. Forgive the punctuation.

I left Polski by plane with nothing much to report. The only excitement was the cabby. Someone must have told him his cab performs better when its constantly redlined. So the ride to the airport was a bit harrowing.

Two prop planes took me to Zagreb by way of Vienna. Got into Zagreb about 8 and took the first hotel I could find. $100! Ouch. My attempt at a reservation nearby was confirmed too late or it would have only been $60. Decided to walk downtown and found the area after some searching. The downtown square is a modern underground mall full of smokers! Couldnt even stay for a drink. Went home and went to bed and decided to leave Zagreb to Split. GREAT CHOICE.

We drove through the Dinara mountain range and the north side was similar to the drive to Flagstaff. Lots of low mountains and lots of greenery. It was just starting to turn yellow and red. We went through a number of tunnels as well, some of which took nearly 4 minutes to get through. After getting over and or through the mountains the other side gave way to desert scrub.

Then we entered Split. Rick Steves told me not to get a room and he was right. Immediately two people began fighting over me...almost literally. A lady of about 70 was first, but a younger guy offered a room right in the center of the city. It is literally in the shadow of Diocletians Palace in a building that is over 300 years old. All for less than $40 per night! The lady was so mad the guy swooped in on her sale she began chasing him with her purse and trying to hit him.

Split is the San Diego (Whales Vagina) of Croatia. Drink it in. It always goes down smooth. It is actually down in a canyon that overlooks the Adriatic. It was a Roman colony and the home of Emperor Diocletian who is buried just a few yards from my room.

Enough blogging. Im going for some beers and sightseeing in a city that is over 1,000 years old.

Zakopane

2006-10-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Zakopane which is Poland's Flagstaff. It is on the border of Croatia.

Many of the buildings here are built almost entirely of wood. Heavy timber on down to shingles. Pretty impressive workmanship. I visited a wooden church here built in the mid-1850s.

It was only a two-hour bus ride from Krakow, which is where I'm heading back to now.

Last night was supposed to be the night on the town where I drank a few beers and stayed out all night to watch people. I made it until about 8 p.m. before I had to go to sleep.

I was woken up by the kamikaze fly which was one of those big flys that buzz when their wings flap. He woke me up about three times and I made a lame attempt to kill him once. About 3 a.m. I had had it and he must have known. Just before I turned the light on to find him and kill him once and for all he goes kamikaze right into my head. I turned the light on to find him twitching in the throws of death on my pillow.

I have to go buy my ticket to Krakow to be back by 5 p.m. I would like to try to get a pic of the Wawel Cathedral in the evening sun.

Polski day 2

2006-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Today was good. Despite a Friday night spent in bed ( I was so tired I came home at 5 p.m. and slept until 6 a.m. the next day due to jet lag) I saw a lot today. Went out to the salt mine and saw the sights from 300 feet below ground and some of them were over 500 years old. Absolutely amazing. Entire chapels carved out of salt. Google Poland salt mine (images) and see what I'm talking about.

Also got a good lead on a day trip to Zakopane (pronounced zah-koh-pah-knee) tomorrow. Google it (google images) to see. It looks like one of the most beautiful places in Poland and/or Europe.

One thing I've noticed in my travels...if you want one of your national monuments restored invite Frank Reed to visit your country. Every place I've been has been under restoration...Greece, Italy, Germany, etc. All have had scaffolding around them when I visit.

I met another old Brit today. Tom is 72 and traveling alone so we talked during our visit to the salt mine. He might meet me on the bus to Zakopane tomorrow.

Poland

2006-09-29T02:32:00.001-07:00

It's cloudy and cool today in Krakow but I'm getting ready to start the tour of the old town square.

Tragedy has struck this trip. It's worse than losing my wallet or passport. I placed my Rick Steve's book down somewhere and lost it! I have a back up in Foder's, but it's still not Rick Steves. Oh well!

The train ride was uneventful. Next time I'll skip the sleeper. I was woke up 3 times by border security checking my passport. Not worth the extra money. I'll just go first class next time and skip the sleeper. I didn't have a blanket either and it was kind of cold.

I spent the afternoon yesterday drinking beers in the Arab quarter of the Budapest train station. Arabs from Morocco, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, etc. all breaking fast for Ramadan in the evening. I met Unis first and he introduced me to everyone else. Only Unis was drinking. The others were drinking Turkish coffee. Unis shared his fish with me. In Arab culture that means he would never hurt me. It would amaze many at home how none of the Arabs I met hated Americans. They hated George Bush, but he's not really an American anyway. They made me feel very comfortable.

Good news today. I went to make travel plans from Krakow to Zagreb and by a stroke of luck we found it was cheaper to buy roundtrip airfare so for $380 I got a flight to Zagreb and then back to Krakow, but it goes through Budapest on the 11th. That just happens to be the day I need to be in Budapest so I'll just skip the second half of the flight and stay there.

I will go to Zagreb Monday evening and kick around there for a couple of days before going to Split and Dubrovnik.

Now I'm off to see Krakow. I'm the only one in shorts, so I'm getting some looks.

Also, I've been keeping up on the Cardinals and I truley hope they lose so ownership might shake things up a bit, including LaRussa. This team has no shot at the Series so what good is a playoff appearance? None to me. I won't let them break my heart this time.

Hungary last day...maybe

2006-09-28T03:59:00.000-07:00

I finally have a good computer and keys I'm familiar with. I tried like hell to find Statue Park this morning but gave up. Wasted 2 hours on the trains.

Right now I just booked a hotel in Krakow near the city center for $35/night. A good deal and it looks nice.

Bad news is it's going to cost quite a bit to get from Krakow back to anywhere I want to go. Likely near $500 but what can you do?

I'm taking the overnight train tonight to Krakow so I'm going to go sit in the city square, have a few beers, watch people and eat a light lunch.

I'll worry about getting out of Krakow when the time comes. I've got three full days there so I'm not worried about it.

hungary day2

2006-09-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

Saw a lot of sights today including the house of Terror and Holocaust museum. At 53o pm. I was crossing the Danube and who did I run into but Dan Daley of the Phoenix Fire Dept. He was passing through on a cruise so we said hi. I worked a lot of days with Dan at MedCare. I also went to one of the hot spring baths ....overrated. The day started with a guided tour but I bailed out because the English was so bad. Consider it 3o dollars unwell spent. The keyboard is hard to use. 1 more day then a night train to Krakow.

Hungary

2006-09-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

The flight was uneventful and not even half full. I had a couple of vodkas and followed that with two sleeping pills and woke up an hour before landing.

Hungary from the air is full of communist style block buildings. Clearly designed with function over form. Not much room for expression. Its pretty flat as well even though one side of Budapest is on a hill.

Last night was spent getting familiar with the trains and such and the language is a barrier for sure. I met Michael from Wales and we were able to have a few beers and converse in English. He hates Blair and I hate Bush, so we had something in common. At 76 he looked younger.

I also went to the train station and bought an overnight to Poland for about 17o dollars. The keyboards in Europe are as tough to figure out as the language so please dont grade my grammar and punctuation.

Nothing is too expensive right now. Beers are about 2 dollars and diet Pepsi is 1.5o. Touring the city today and then maybe one of the hot spring baths. Im up at o53o because of jet lag and only had about 4 hours sleep.

One week away

2006-09-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

Need to go to the bank, buy compass, confirm hotel and work three more shifts.

I will be going to Budapest, Dobrovnik, Split, Krakow and TBA

Setting up

2006-09-01T22:44:00.000-07:00

This is just a test page for my blog. I will be using this to document my trip to Europe in the next few weeks.