A Trashy Eastern Europe Adventure

I could stick around and get along with you,

 hello.
It doesn't really mean that I'm into you,

 hello.
You're alright but I'm here, darling, to enjoy the party.
Don't get too excited 'cause that's all you get from me, 

hey.

- Hello, Martin Solveig feat. Dragonette

Jessica Follers has messaged you on Facebook:

"What are your plans over Christmas?"

Just a casual catch up message and so I replied.

"Was thinking if doing a 7 day tour through Budapest - Hungry, Krakow - Poland and Prague - Czech Republic. Just after Christmas."

Four months later we are on a plane to explore these three great cities together!

Budapest...

Budapest was never on my list but so many friends have recommended and raved about it, I just had to add it on!

It did not disappoint. 

Being a traditional Italian boy the first thing I noticed was all the delicious meat everywhere.

The smells and tastes were amazing.
Jess now being a vegetarian was less excited by the meat. 

And so for our first night we found an amazing all you can eat Hungarian restaurant.

We feasted!

They even made Jess a special Vegetarian pizza.

The deserts were amazing and I feel in love with the potato doughnut.

 After dinner we found a funky Tiki bar with a talented and fun live musician.

He jumped from old to new fast to slow from rock to dance without a thought. 

It was amazing. And the drinks were too.

I even found my doppelganger.

The next morning Jess and I headed out for an Hungarian Breakfast and a morning walking tour of the city.

Budapest is actually two cities- Buda and Pest (Pesht).

The Christmas Markets were still set up and absolutely magical! 

Both cities are beautiful. We so enjoyed wondering the streets and hearing about the Hungarian history. How they were oppressed by a political party only to be saved by another and then oppressed by them.

It has happened regularly in their history the most recent example being when they were freed by the Nazi's from the Solvent Union and then oppressed by a communist regime.  

(St. Stephen's Basilica)

Jess and I were both supposed it has only been a free country for 25 years. You can still buy Communist memorabilia at local Hungarian markets.

(Our chubby friend, you rub his belly to find good Hungarian food)

(Hungarian Street Food - Deep fried batter with cheese and sour cream... instantly double your size. We saw people eating whole ones to themselves - Some even with bacon on top! Jess and I couldn't even finish half together!) 

That evening we met up with our tour group. There was nine of us joining onto a group who had already been traveling together for two weeks.

As they entered the hostel you could see they were dirty, ugly and mean people. They had the faces of people who had traveled for too long and were over it and over people.

No I kid! 

They were amazing. So welcoming and friendly we instantly settled in. We couldn't have asked for a better group to join on to! 

That night we headed out to dinner with the whole group. We ate at a local restaurants and ordered the mama of all cocktails. A Long Island Iced Tea has nothing of how the Hungarians do it. The glass contained gin, vodka, tequila, rum, whiskey, cognac and what did they blend this all with - white wine.

Deadly. Fantastic but deadly.

Then we headed to an Ice Bar, where all the furniture, decorations and glasses were made of ice.

The night my cousin Roman and his wife Yasmin contacted me to see if I had spare time if they came to Budapest for the day. Got to love Europe! 

We had a lovely day with my cousin and his lovely family. Just strolling the streets, eating and talking.

Delicious goulash soup!

We finished off our day with a walking tour of the Jewish district and life in Budapest for the Jews before during and after WWII.

The Jewish District is mostly now known for it's 'Ruinbars'. These were buildings owned by the communist government that were completely run down and no one wanted to buy after the Soviets left. Artists decided to purchase and decorate them in their own style. Local artists can display their work their and people can hang and chill in this 'wonderland' like world. 

The food was so good in Budapest!!! 

***

That night we headed to bed early as we were leaving at 4am for Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

Set in my Batman onsie I bordered the bus ready for my rest. At 6am still pitch black outside we stopped for a toilet break. Batman, unlike Superman cannot fly, so when he went outside without his shoes on, he cut two of his toes! Whoop! Wrapped in tissues and praying they didn't get infected we continued on our journey.

At 1pm I changed out of my Batman onsie, rebandaged my toes and entered Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

Intense. Horrific. Scary. Dark.

I don't think any words can prepare you for it nor any words describe it. How human beings can turn on each other I will never understand. Fear makes you do horrible things but to lose all compassion, empathy, understanding and love there a monster is born.

***

Krakow...

Poland?!? No, really, Poland? 

Another place never originally on my list. However, It ended up being my favourite 2 days of the tour. But, I think that has more to do with cheap alcohol and bringing in the New Year here!

The city is old and historic and can be explored in one day. The Castle district is probably the most exciting site! 

                 

The town does look quite old and run down, but the people are friendly and the food is good!!

(A variety of delicious Polish dumplings (pierogi), Spinach, Beef, Cottage Cheese and Strawberry) 

(Dark Chocolate covered Chili) 

And of course we shared an amazing New Years Eve here in the town square. It was crazy, last year we spent New Year at Jess' house party and here we were a year later spending it together in Poland! What a blessed life we live!!!!

Happy New Year!

Prague...

Prague the only city from this trip that was on my list when I left Sydney!

There is something about walking the streets and just knowing you are in Prague. 

There is no denying it! 

It was truly amazing! 

The architecture truly is unique and impressive. 

                And positively no homesickness, why?






Well there's just something about a city that has Vegemite at the bar that tells you everything is going to be ok!

We had such a great 5 days exploring Prague. Enjoying the city and the nightlife.

(He is making potato chips!) 

(Green Iced-tea) 

And as I sat on the plane, extremely tired and possibly still drunk I adjusted my iPod from European time back to London time, looked down at the city and realised my trip had ended.

This trip was so much fun and filled with laughter. Maybe it was just the Vodka but I don't remember a part of the trip that we weren't laughing!!!

Touching you inappropriately from afar, Joey!