After an early start in Belgrade, we had a relatively uneventful train journey to Budapest. We got here at around 4pm and headed over to the hostel. After leaving our bags in the room we headed out for a few beers and something to eat before turning in after a very long day.
On Monday we went on a Communist tour to the Statue Park where all the old Soviet Union statues are kept, we then were taken to a museum set up like a typical appartment in Communist Hungary. The guide gave us a thorough and enjoyable insight into what life was like for the Proletariat! Afterwards we visited the Dohany Synagogue in Budapest, seeing the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park which has the Tree of Life present. We also seen the Holocaust cemetry. It was a very intersting experience because I'd never been inside a Synagogue before and was very surprised at how much it is just like a Christian church inside, obviously replacing Christian symbolism with Jewish symbols. It was also very cool getting to wear the Kippah! Afterwards Rob went for a snooze, so I headed up to the Ferenc Puskas Stadium to pass the time. A very plain football stadium with nothing exciting to it whatsoever other than the fact it is named after Puskas. In the evening we went out for something to eat and then went for a few beers with some of the lads from the hostel, including a guy we met in Paris at the beginning of our trip and our now reunited in the end!
Today we got up around about 10am and pottered about the hostel before heading out to the House of Terror, which was the building used by both the Hungarian Arrow Party, a puppet government under the Nazi regime, and laterly the Stalinist regime that liberated the country. The building was used as a police cell, for those who spoke out against the Nazi and Communist regimes, where they would be brutally tortured and more often than not, executed. After that we headed to the Szechenyi Furdo, which is a big spa with thermal baths etc. We spent a while there relaxing before heading back to the hostel.
Tonight we were meant to get a free Hungarian meal at the hostel, but the staff member who usually does it is on holiday, so we will just have to make do with one of the local places for our tea tonight. Then it's a quiet night before catching our flight home to Glasgow tomorrow morning.
So that's Europe, the trip has been a really amazing experience, with plenty of memorable moments. At times it has been hard work, a lot of travelling and stress trying to find hostels and make connecting trains. It's hard to pick out a favourite destination, though I have an obvious bias towards Athens. But regardless of the many up's and very few down's it has been a very enjoyable trip and I'm very glad I've done it and feel I've accomplished a lot which brings a great deal of satisfaction for the hard work and effort put in organising and saving up for the trip.
See you all soon.
-Steven
Tuesday 28 July 2009
Saturday 25 July 2009
Belgrade
Woke up this morning expecting a pretty average day with nothing much to write about due to the fact we had a 10 hour train journey to Belgrade ahead of us, but boy was I wrong! On our way to the post office and shops we came across a cat sleeping on the street, but as we got closer we realised the cat was in fact dead, which was pretty disgusting.
Once we boarded the train all sorts of events unfolded. It started off with some Serbian nutter threatening us with some sharp tool for trying to get to the seats in our carriage that we had reserved. This left us sitting at the back of the train on our bags while some psychopath and his friend occupied our seats. This wasn't to be the only terrible moment on the train, I later had some drunk Serb couple enquire to whether or not I'd have sex with there friend, which would've been alright had it not been a dude! So now absolutely petrified, I was almost going to go back to the carriage and risk my luck demanding to seat next to the nutter with the blade, rather than be harrassed by these perverts! However that was not to be the end of the train excitement, a fat middle aged man pulled open the back door of the train, while it was in motion, and clambered out in order to get the boxes of fireworks he had stashed on some part of the outside of the train. After watching in shock, we finally managed to get seats after a whole load of Serbs got off the train once we'd crossed the Bulgarian-Serb border. The remainder of the journey was in comparison very quiet.
This evening we arrived in Belgrade after 9pm and after finding our hostel on Gavrila Principa street, we went out for something to eat and then wandered around the city for a while, seeing one or two impressive buildings in the Serb capital. Tomorrow we are up bright and early to catch what I hope will be our last train, at 7.30am to Budapest, which will be our final destination before returning back to Glasgow. It's another extremely long train journey tomorrow, but I'm hoping for it to be slightly less eventful and hopefully more relaxing before what should be a good couple of days in Budapest before returning back to dear old blighty.
-Steven
Once we boarded the train all sorts of events unfolded. It started off with some Serbian nutter threatening us with some sharp tool for trying to get to the seats in our carriage that we had reserved. This left us sitting at the back of the train on our bags while some psychopath and his friend occupied our seats. This wasn't to be the only terrible moment on the train, I later had some drunk Serb couple enquire to whether or not I'd have sex with there friend, which would've been alright had it not been a dude! So now absolutely petrified, I was almost going to go back to the carriage and risk my luck demanding to seat next to the nutter with the blade, rather than be harrassed by these perverts! However that was not to be the end of the train excitement, a fat middle aged man pulled open the back door of the train, while it was in motion, and clambered out in order to get the boxes of fireworks he had stashed on some part of the outside of the train. After watching in shock, we finally managed to get seats after a whole load of Serbs got off the train once we'd crossed the Bulgarian-Serb border. The remainder of the journey was in comparison very quiet.
This evening we arrived in Belgrade after 9pm and after finding our hostel on Gavrila Principa street, we went out for something to eat and then wandered around the city for a while, seeing one or two impressive buildings in the Serb capital. Tomorrow we are up bright and early to catch what I hope will be our last train, at 7.30am to Budapest, which will be our final destination before returning back to Glasgow. It's another extremely long train journey tomorrow, but I'm hoping for it to be slightly less eventful and hopefully more relaxing before what should be a good couple of days in Budapest before returning back to dear old blighty.
-Steven
Friday 24 July 2009
Sofia
We got up at 8am yesterday morning and embarked on a very long journey consisting of two trains Athens-Thessaloniki and then a break of 2 hours before jumping on the train to Sofia. We arrived at the hostel, absolutely exhausted, just before midnight. We had a wander around the surrounding area, which was pretty empty and dark, apart from one or two homeless folk pottering around or sleeping.
After a long sleep, or what seemed long, a lie in until 10am is considered a long lie to me now, we went and got breakfast, which consisted of bread, bulgarian cheese, salami, muesli. These foods are usually the staple diet of the traveler's breakfast. In the afternoon we sorted out our train ticket for Belgrade, which will basically be a stop off night on our way to Budapest, and then wandered around the city, catching up on a bit of dark tourism, this time passing by Communist Party HQ, Soviet Army Monument and the Monument for the Unknown Soldier. We also sneaked in to the National stadium and had a look at the pitch and stand before being told to leave by a caretaker. After a good 3 hours or so walk around the streets, which really do bare the scars of a Communist regime, I set out on a run in what can only be described as baking heat.
Tonight we are going to check out a restraunt that serves traditional Bulgarian cuisine, and probably sample some of the beers, well I most definitely will, especially at 80p for 2 litres!
Anyway, we are off to Belgrade tomorrow for one night before travelling to Budapest for the final destination of our trip before returning to Glasgow.
-Steven
After a long sleep, or what seemed long, a lie in until 10am is considered a long lie to me now, we went and got breakfast, which consisted of bread, bulgarian cheese, salami, muesli. These foods are usually the staple diet of the traveler's breakfast. In the afternoon we sorted out our train ticket for Belgrade, which will basically be a stop off night on our way to Budapest, and then wandered around the city, catching up on a bit of dark tourism, this time passing by Communist Party HQ, Soviet Army Monument and the Monument for the Unknown Soldier. We also sneaked in to the National stadium and had a look at the pitch and stand before being told to leave by a caretaker. After a good 3 hours or so walk around the streets, which really do bare the scars of a Communist regime, I set out on a run in what can only be described as baking heat.
Tonight we are going to check out a restraunt that serves traditional Bulgarian cuisine, and probably sample some of the beers, well I most definitely will, especially at 80p for 2 litres!
Anyway, we are off to Belgrade tomorrow for one night before travelling to Budapest for the final destination of our trip before returning to Glasgow.
-Steven
Tuesday 21 July 2009
Athens
Got into Athens at Saturday/Sunday midnight. After a bus and metro journey we were at Hostel Zorbas and were welcomed with a shot of ouzo(which was very much appreciated) before heading to bed after a long day.
On Sunday I left my bank card in the cashline(Note: Don't worry Dad, I went the next day, they destroyed my card, and the other one is now in use!) which was a real pain in the arse! We headed to Syntagma Square to catch the number 4 tram down to Paleo Faliro. We visited my grandmothers old house on Riga Fereioura, where an elderly lady(a relative possibly?) with short grey hair shot out the house and round the corner to the local shop after I had taken a photo with my mobile. We then went up to the cemetry where my nanas ashes are and I spent some time there. It was a really strange feeling seeing the house and cemetry, I felt several emotions being in the place my grandmother grew up and where my mum went her holidays as a bairn. We then went to the beach at the bottom front of Paleo Faliro, passing past the church where my mums Uncle Kostas was married, and spent a good few hours topping up the tan, swimming in the sea, and watching the most violent game of beach football I have ever witnessed! We then headed back to the Hostel and then went out for a Souvlaki before having what was to be quite a session in the bar at the hostel.
We had planned to go to Aegina the next day, but after waking up late, chasing up the bank to see what had happened to my card, and both of us feeling horrendously hungover, we decided just to take up the easy option, sort out our rail journey to Thessaloniki and then retire to the beach in Paleo Faliro. Much to our annoyance we arrived at the train station only to find the trains were on strike! So off to the beach to suffer and enjoy the sun. After an afternoon on the beach, and feeling much better, we decided to eat in a restaurant in Paleo Faliro. The restaurant menu was only in Greek and the waiters couldn't speak English, so they actually phoned up a guy they knew could speak English to serve us. I found this particularly amusing because I can read a Greek menu very well! So we both settled for a Greek salad starter and then Bifteki for our main. Stuffed we headed back to the hostel to get over the final hurdle of the morning/afternoon after the night before!
Today, we got up and went out, stopping at the bakery and getting a Loukamades before heading on the metro down to Pireaus. We then stopped for lunch before jumping a board The Flying Dolphin over to Aegina. After a half an hour bus ride we were in Agia Marina where we spent the afternoon doing much the same as we had been doing before, sitting on the beach! It was really cool being back in the Marina, where I had been 9 years before, and where nothing has changed, even the building on the hillside was still far from completion! We caught the bus back to the main town in Aegina and had tea(Mousakka ;) ) before catching the boat back over to Pireaus.
Tomorrow we're finally going to get around to doing the touristy things, Acropolis, Parthenon, Plaka and then we are off to see Deep Purple at Terra Vibe Park in the evening. We'll also have to get down to the train station to organise our train to Thessaloniki and Sofia, which is going to be an absolute pain in the arse as it doesn't work well with our schedule grrrrr...
Good luck to the 'Lok tomorrow on their first pre-season friendly!
-Steven
Saturday 18 July 2009
Rome
We got into Rome at about 5pm on Wednesday and after a short walk from the Termini to our hostel, we were informed of a mix-up that lead to me and Rob being moved round the corner to a private room... with one feckin' double bed! So after a head2foot night we were moved to a room with two single beds thankfully(Rob hogs the covers!).
On Thursday we headed off to the Colloseum and Roman Forum in the baking sun. We got a tour of the place which was pretty cool, although none of the marble is left because it was moved to the Vatican! After wandering around for a good few hours, getting maximum tan on, we headed up Via Nazionale and stopped for an ice-cream, the coconut flavour was by far the best! We then headed back to the room and had a few beers before going out to get something to eat.
Yesterday we got up at 7.30am before heading off to the Citta Del Vaticano(The Vatican City). After paying an obscene amount of money for a guided tour, we were treated to seeing the Rafael rooms and the famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michaelangelo. We then failed to make it down the tombs for the next part of our guided tour and the guide basically buggered off. I decided just to sit in St. Peters Square and just chill out and Robert went round some more of the buildings in the Vatican. I was a bit miffed at the amount of money we spent on the tour and felt we'd been had, I also found the tour pretty boring, but I suppose that is because I don't hold an interest in paintings and tapestries. Though the trip was not a total disaster because I'm pretty sure Rob thoroughly enjoyed it. After the Vatican we went back to the room for a sleep, via the ice-cream place! Later in the afternoon I decided to go out for a half an hour run, which turned into a 50 minute run, and 2 hour walk afterwards to try and find the apartment! Now completely exhausted we went down and seen the Trevi fountain and had our tea before nicking up the road.
Today we're just arranging stuff for our flight to Athens tonight and then probably sitting in a park somewhere enjoying the weather. I've really enjoyed Rome, especially the weather, but now I'm very excited to get to Athens.
On a side note, I'm sorry to see Baz has finally left Rangers, if only it were Walter Smith that moved! Very pleased to hear Davie Turnbull is staying at 'Lok aswell.
-Steven
On Thursday we headed off to the Colloseum and Roman Forum in the baking sun. We got a tour of the place which was pretty cool, although none of the marble is left because it was moved to the Vatican! After wandering around for a good few hours, getting maximum tan on, we headed up Via Nazionale and stopped for an ice-cream, the coconut flavour was by far the best! We then headed back to the room and had a few beers before going out to get something to eat.
Yesterday we got up at 7.30am before heading off to the Citta Del Vaticano(The Vatican City). After paying an obscene amount of money for a guided tour, we were treated to seeing the Rafael rooms and the famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michaelangelo. We then failed to make it down the tombs for the next part of our guided tour and the guide basically buggered off. I decided just to sit in St. Peters Square and just chill out and Robert went round some more of the buildings in the Vatican. I was a bit miffed at the amount of money we spent on the tour and felt we'd been had, I also found the tour pretty boring, but I suppose that is because I don't hold an interest in paintings and tapestries. Though the trip was not a total disaster because I'm pretty sure Rob thoroughly enjoyed it. After the Vatican we went back to the room for a sleep, via the ice-cream place! Later in the afternoon I decided to go out for a half an hour run, which turned into a 50 minute run, and 2 hour walk afterwards to try and find the apartment! Now completely exhausted we went down and seen the Trevi fountain and had our tea before nicking up the road.
Today we're just arranging stuff for our flight to Athens tonight and then probably sitting in a park somewhere enjoying the weather. I've really enjoyed Rome, especially the weather, but now I'm very excited to get to Athens.
On a side note, I'm sorry to see Baz has finally left Rangers, if only it were Walter Smith that moved! Very pleased to hear Davie Turnbull is staying at 'Lok aswell.
-Steven
Tuesday 14 July 2009
Venice
This post is likely to be full of spelling errors as the keyboard is missing a lot of keys.
We got in to Venice bright an early on Mondahy morning, after a small walk to the hostel we were greeted by a friendly Japanese bloke who offered us wine and breakfast. We then set out around the area, we are located right on the banks of the Grand Canal, and got ourselves familiar with thee area and the hot baking sun. In the afternoon we caught up on the sleep we had lost on the night train. In the evening we went to a pizzaria and then just chilled out in the hostel.
Today we headed to Piazza San Marco with the rest pf the tourists and seen the Basilica before getting the water train back to the hostel. Later in the afternoon I helped a Croation lady Neda, with her bags and she showed me around her terrace flat, seeing the amazing rooftops of Venice, and then she bought me a beer from the local cafe to thank me. She was a very interesting lady with lots of stories of Venice and Croatia during Communism. Tonight we might go out with other guests from the hostel, then tomorrow we are heading to Rome.
I wish I could explain in more detail how nice Venice is, but the keyboard is useless!!!!!
-Steven
We got in to Venice bright an early on Mondahy morning, after a small walk to the hostel we were greeted by a friendly Japanese bloke who offered us wine and breakfast. We then set out around the area, we are located right on the banks of the Grand Canal, and got ourselves familiar with thee area and the hot baking sun. In the afternoon we caught up on the sleep we had lost on the night train. In the evening we went to a pizzaria and then just chilled out in the hostel.
Today we headed to Piazza San Marco with the rest pf the tourists and seen the Basilica before getting the water train back to the hostel. Later in the afternoon I helped a Croation lady Neda, with her bags and she showed me around her terrace flat, seeing the amazing rooftops of Venice, and then she bought me a beer from the local cafe to thank me. She was a very interesting lady with lots of stories of Venice and Croatia during Communism. Tonight we might go out with other guests from the hostel, then tomorrow we are heading to Rome.
I wish I could explain in more detail how nice Venice is, but the keyboard is useless!!!!!
-Steven
Sunday 12 July 2009
Vienna
Arrived in Vienna's Sudbahnof station at around 5pm on Friday evening. Immediately booked our seats on the Sunday night train to Venice and then headed to the hostel. Got to the hostel without any problems, which was a bonus, as it was pretty hard to find the hostel in Prague at first! We headed out for something to eat then sat in a pub and had a few beers before heading back to the hostel. We got talking to some folk in our room who seemed pretty cool, bar this one Indian guy who snored, kept f###ing about with his bag and turning the lights on and off through the night.
On Saturday I went out for a run, ran for an hour then realised I was lost and it took me another hour to find the hostel! After that we wandered down into the centre of Vienna and passed by the Soviet monument, which was very similar to the one in Berlin, before heading to St. Stephens Church. After climbing up to the top of it and seeing some remarkable views of Vienna we headed back to the hostel.
We got changed and went for an early tea as we were planning on heading to the Gerard-Hanappi Stadion in order to see if we could buy some tickets off of touts outside the ground for the Rapid Vienna - FC Schalke match. We managed to get two tickets for 20€ each and off into the stadium we went. The atmosphere was amazing, both sets of fans were jumping, chanting, setting off flairs, throwing beer glasses at players and officials, they even serve beer at the games...It was brilliant! The game finished 2-1 for Schalke which left the Rapid fans booing excessively at the referee at the end of the game as they felt a bit short changed to say the least!
Today we will probably just have a wander around Vienna before getting on the train to Venice tonight at 8.40pm. I'm really looking forward to Venice as it would be nice to get some sun, even though it is sunny here in Vienna, I imagine it is much hotter in Venice!
-Steven
On Saturday I went out for a run, ran for an hour then realised I was lost and it took me another hour to find the hostel! After that we wandered down into the centre of Vienna and passed by the Soviet monument, which was very similar to the one in Berlin, before heading to St. Stephens Church. After climbing up to the top of it and seeing some remarkable views of Vienna we headed back to the hostel.
We got changed and went for an early tea as we were planning on heading to the Gerard-Hanappi Stadion in order to see if we could buy some tickets off of touts outside the ground for the Rapid Vienna - FC Schalke match. We managed to get two tickets for 20€ each and off into the stadium we went. The atmosphere was amazing, both sets of fans were jumping, chanting, setting off flairs, throwing beer glasses at players and officials, they even serve beer at the games...It was brilliant! The game finished 2-1 for Schalke which left the Rapid fans booing excessively at the referee at the end of the game as they felt a bit short changed to say the least!
Today we will probably just have a wander around Vienna before getting on the train to Venice tonight at 8.40pm. I'm really looking forward to Venice as it would be nice to get some sun, even though it is sunny here in Vienna, I imagine it is much hotter in Venice!
-Steven
Thursday 9 July 2009
Prague
We got off the train at Praha-Holesovice station after 3pm local time. We make our way in the tram to the stop at Palmovka where we get off the tram and are greeted by a man kissing a rat! We then take a wrong turn and go a jaunt through the area, which is far detatched from the beautiful reputation Prague has acquired and finally arrive at our hostel. We were soon relaxed though when we were warmly welcomed into the hostel and shown to our room, a private twin room en-suite, which to us is very classy after sharing rooms with complete strangers for the past week. We have a kip for an hour or so then head out with our intention to see the Old Town in a dull Prague evening. We got as far as the wee pub/restruant 10 yards down the road and decide we've seen enough for the time being and settle down with a beer. Suddenly things in the area didn't seem as bad as our first impression, of which when I asked Rob what was his he replied, "Scary!"(Big Jessy!).
Our first morning in Prague was sunny, much to our suprise as we had expected it to rain constantly while we were staying there. I went for a run down to the Old Town and returned with an eagerness to get out and see the city. We went down to the train station to checkout the train times for Vienna and then headed for the Cathedral of St Cyril and Methodius. We stopped off at the pub across the road, Krama U Parasutistu, which was a themed pub dedicated to the assassins of Reinard Heydrich. After a beer in there we headed into the famous crypt where the men who had successfully killed the 'Butcher of Prague' had saught refuge while they were being hunted by Nazis and where they eventually committed suicide when it was inevitable that after a heroic struggle they would be captured by the Boche due to Curda betraying the group.
After leaving St Cyrils, we headed to the Old Town, enjoying the heat from the sunshine as we wandered along the riverfront(not hand in hand!) and seen Mozarts house on the way. We then wandered through the Old Town Square by the Old town house, and other very impressive buildings. We ventured into the Hard Rock Cafe, walked round it quickly catching a glimpse of everything we could possibly see before sneaking out without buying anything and again wandered round the Old Town, seeing a Hare Krshna march on the way. We then made our way back to the hostel after a successful afternoons jaunt around Prague.
We went out in the evening earlier than normal and went to a pub just down the road from where we were staying. It was a smoked filled boozer that had a real hardman tending the bar, and people having a drink that had returned from there days work. I think we must have been the first tourists to enter the pub as we got some very interesting looks from the punters and it had a real locals only feel about it. That didn't stop us enjoying a few pints, or Half litres, in there for an hour or so before heading for tea.
Today the plan is to head out across the water from the Old Town and visit The John Lennon Wall and the Prague Castle. Tomorrow we are making our way to Vienna, Austria which has produced many infamous people such as, Adolf Hitler and Joseph Fritzl! Hopefully the people we bump into aren't quite so evil!
Haven't found the bar Conor recommended 'Friends' and I'm pretty sure I don't want to find it either!
-Steven
Our first morning in Prague was sunny, much to our suprise as we had expected it to rain constantly while we were staying there. I went for a run down to the Old Town and returned with an eagerness to get out and see the city. We went down to the train station to checkout the train times for Vienna and then headed for the Cathedral of St Cyril and Methodius. We stopped off at the pub across the road, Krama U Parasutistu, which was a themed pub dedicated to the assassins of Reinard Heydrich. After a beer in there we headed into the famous crypt where the men who had successfully killed the 'Butcher of Prague' had saught refuge while they were being hunted by Nazis and where they eventually committed suicide when it was inevitable that after a heroic struggle they would be captured by the Boche due to Curda betraying the group.
After leaving St Cyrils, we headed to the Old Town, enjoying the heat from the sunshine as we wandered along the riverfront(not hand in hand!) and seen Mozarts house on the way. We then wandered through the Old Town Square by the Old town house, and other very impressive buildings. We ventured into the Hard Rock Cafe, walked round it quickly catching a glimpse of everything we could possibly see before sneaking out without buying anything and again wandered round the Old Town, seeing a Hare Krshna march on the way. We then made our way back to the hostel after a successful afternoons jaunt around Prague.
We went out in the evening earlier than normal and went to a pub just down the road from where we were staying. It was a smoked filled boozer that had a real hardman tending the bar, and people having a drink that had returned from there days work. I think we must have been the first tourists to enter the pub as we got some very interesting looks from the punters and it had a real locals only feel about it. That didn't stop us enjoying a few pints, or Half litres, in there for an hour or so before heading for tea.
Today the plan is to head out across the water from the Old Town and visit The John Lennon Wall and the Prague Castle. Tomorrow we are making our way to Vienna, Austria which has produced many infamous people such as, Adolf Hitler and Joseph Fritzl! Hopefully the people we bump into aren't quite so evil!
Haven't found the bar Conor recommended 'Friends' and I'm pretty sure I don't want to find it either!
-Steven
Monday 6 July 2009
Berlin
We got into Berlin 9am yesterday morning after a 13hour train from Paris. It was pretty hard to sleep but we managed to catch a fair amount of Z's before the train arrived. After a 20 minute walk or so we arrived at the City Hostel, situtated nextdoor to the North Korean embassy, where we were informed that our reservation had been mistakenlz cancelled, however they upgraded us to a 4 person dorm instead for the exact same price so that was a nice suprise!
Almost immediately we headed out to the Holocaust Memorial and visited the Brandenburg Gate before going on a Third Reich tour around Berlin. This was quite an experience, visiting the Reichstag building, the Soviet memorial, the car park where Hitler's bunker once was and Gestapo HQ. It was a very intersting trip wandering around the sights where the Nazi party plotted some of the worst atrocities humanity has witnessed. I will go into more about this trip when I'm back home and have more time to explain.
In the evening we wandered round to the train station and booked our train ticket to Prague on Tuesday, where I have heard it is to rain for the time we are there which has really pissed me off!!!! After that we went to the small doner kebab restraunt, situated opposite where the entrance to Hitler's bunker once stood, a chinese restraunt is now in it's place. It was good to sit, relax with a few beers, and reflect on the events of the day.
Today I went my first run since Glasgow to try and maintain some sort of level of fitness while I'm out here. After that, in order to take a break from the dark tourism we decided to visit Berlin Zoo, which was pretty cool!
Tonight will probably be a quiet one, a stroll to get some dinner and a couple of beers before heading off to Prague tomorrow morning for a few days.
I'll try and get some photos uploaded soon.
-Steven
Almost immediately we headed out to the Holocaust Memorial and visited the Brandenburg Gate before going on a Third Reich tour around Berlin. This was quite an experience, visiting the Reichstag building, the Soviet memorial, the car park where Hitler's bunker once was and Gestapo HQ. It was a very intersting trip wandering around the sights where the Nazi party plotted some of the worst atrocities humanity has witnessed. I will go into more about this trip when I'm back home and have more time to explain.
In the evening we wandered round to the train station and booked our train ticket to Prague on Tuesday, where I have heard it is to rain for the time we are there which has really pissed me off!!!! After that we went to the small doner kebab restraunt, situated opposite where the entrance to Hitler's bunker once stood, a chinese restraunt is now in it's place. It was good to sit, relax with a few beers, and reflect on the events of the day.
Today I went my first run since Glasgow to try and maintain some sort of level of fitness while I'm out here. After that, in order to take a break from the dark tourism we decided to visit Berlin Zoo, which was pretty cool!
Tonight will probably be a quiet one, a stroll to get some dinner and a couple of beers before heading off to Prague tomorrow morning for a few days.
I'll try and get some photos uploaded soon.
-Steven
Saturday 4 July 2009
Paris
Where do i begin? When we first arrived we managed to miss the train from Beauvais to Le Gare Du Nord by 1 minute, so to pass the time waiting on the next train, me and Rob went and got the first beers in of the holiday and sat outside and enjoyed the glorious weather. Once we finally got the train it was an hour and a half until we arrived in Paris. We found the Le Village Hostel with no real problem, and we dropped off our bags and went and got something to eat and book our ticket for Berlin. That night we went out for tea and then sat in a pub and watched a bit of the tennis before heading up to the Sacre Couer where everyone in the area seems to congregate and enjoy their carry-outs!
The next day we made the trip on the metro into the centre of Paris and visited the Louvre and Notre Dame, I received a call from my work seeing if I knew I was due to be in that evening! We then went a World War 2 tour and seen the Holocaust monument, Nazi HQ and where the insurrection in Paris began. We then walked up the Champs Elysees and I went up the Arch Di Triomphe. An absolutly spectacular view from the top, especially being able to see Robert, who's scared of heights, sitting on a bench below me! That evening we just sat up in the hostel and had a few beers.
Yesterday we took the metro down towards the Eiffel Tower, we didn't go up it though as there were massive queues for lifts, and I didn't fancy the wait. We then headed over to the Holocaust museum and spent some time wandering around it and seen the 'Wall of Names', a huge wall which is covered with the names of the 76,000 Jews from France that were wiped off the face of the planet by the Nazis and Vichy government. We then visited Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde's graves on what happened to be the anniversary of Morrisons death in 1971, so there was plenty of hairy rockers paying there respects to the good man, while Oscar Wilde's grave was covered in lipstick messages and kisses from adoring fans.
Today we have wandered around the Monmatre area of Paris where we are staying, while we wait for the train. At 8.20pm we should be advancing on Berlin for the next leg of our trip. I'll try and get some photos uploaded to the blog at some point but just now that's not possible. I'll hopefully post again in a few days.
-Steven
The next day we made the trip on the metro into the centre of Paris and visited the Louvre and Notre Dame, I received a call from my work seeing if I knew I was due to be in that evening! We then went a World War 2 tour and seen the Holocaust monument, Nazi HQ and where the insurrection in Paris began. We then walked up the Champs Elysees and I went up the Arch Di Triomphe. An absolutly spectacular view from the top, especially being able to see Robert, who's scared of heights, sitting on a bench below me! That evening we just sat up in the hostel and had a few beers.
Yesterday we took the metro down towards the Eiffel Tower, we didn't go up it though as there were massive queues for lifts, and I didn't fancy the wait. We then headed over to the Holocaust museum and spent some time wandering around it and seen the 'Wall of Names', a huge wall which is covered with the names of the 76,000 Jews from France that were wiped off the face of the planet by the Nazis and Vichy government. We then visited Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde's graves on what happened to be the anniversary of Morrisons death in 1971, so there was plenty of hairy rockers paying there respects to the good man, while Oscar Wilde's grave was covered in lipstick messages and kisses from adoring fans.
Today we have wandered around the Monmatre area of Paris where we are staying, while we wait for the train. At 8.20pm we should be advancing on Berlin for the next leg of our trip. I'll try and get some photos uploaded to the blog at some point but just now that's not possible. I'll hopefully post again in a few days.
-Steven
Tuesday 30 June 2009
5 hours and counting...
Passed all my exams, bags are packed and raring to go. Time is running out fast until I leave for Prestwick Airport for a 6.40am flight to Paris Beauvais. The next time I post I should be in Paris enjoying the city sun!
Au revoir!
Au revoir!
Wednesday 3 June 2009
Edinburgh
Just realised it has been nearly two months since my last post. In fairness I have been very busy with exams and the like taking up much of my time. Celebrating Rangers winning the league and Scottish Cup has also been time consuming(yet very enjoyable!). I've also been training for the Glasgow half marathon which takes place in September and have sadly badly injured my wrist, which makes typing quite difficult!
As I have been off work due to my wrist injury I've found myself often bored. So last Friday, knowing I'd have nothing to do, I decided I would go for a day-trip to Edinburgh. I had never been to Edinburgh before, and I thought it's best I check out my own capital city before embarking on a trip visiting several capitals around Europe!
After catching the 7.50am train from Glasgow Central I arrived at around 9am to a very Sunny Edinburgh Waverly station. Almost as soon as I left the station I was taken by the sites around me. The buildings in and around the city centre are quite stunning, putting Glasgow's city centre to shame I must admit!
My first port of call was to visit Edinburgh Castle. On entry I took a guided tour of the castle and heard some funny anecdotes from the tour guide Frank who had that true to Scottish humour in which we take the piss out of ourselves. After a good 2 hours in and around the castle I decided it was time to grab something to eat and enjoy my first pint in Edinburgh. After a short walk down the Royal Mile I stopped off at a pub called The Mitre and ordered up a tuna melt and a pint of Peroni(ooh missus!). Feeling like a tourist and complete outsider in Edinburgh I wolfed down my tuna melt and sipped my pint and had a wee read of 'Not Forgotten' by Neil Oliver. The sun was beating down on my face, and I knew I could not go anymore walking without another first quenching pint. So another pint was ordered and enjoyed before setting off down the other end of the Royal Mile to the new Scottish Parliament building.
The Scottish Parliament building has taken a lot of criticism for how much of the tax payers money was spent on it. After arriving at the odd shaped, and out of place building, I decided to go inside and possibly get a tour. I set off the alarm due to my steel toe-capped boots and after getting frisked by some old codger, who seemed to enjoy it more than I, I headed up to the debating chamber, what would turn out to be a very unimpressive lecture hall. I left the Scottish Parliament building very disappointed. It seems that the criticism for the cost of the building is completely just as it seems extremely out of place, tacky and powerless.
After the parliament building I decided another pint was on the cards and after receiving a text from my dad informing me that Rose Street was 'pub heaven' I made my way up and down Rose Street, failing to find a pub where there was any seats outside available, but as it was very hot they were all occupied so I proceeded to go to pub that seemed nice and traditional, though the name escapes me now. I sat up right in the back and observed the surroundings around me. Rugby jerseys and pictures all around, it really is a Rugby city, not a football top or photography in site! I had a quick pint before nipping off to Princes Street Gardens to have a seat in the sun while I waited for my train. I sat on the grass verge for a good half an hour watchin other folk doing the self same thing as me, and some guys with mullets doing extremely strange acrobatic dancing, before heading off down the Waverly Steps in order to catch the 4pm train.
I left Edinburgh happy after an enjoyable day. It seems a very strange city, very cosmopolitan and very un-Scottish. The buildings are nice and the streets are filled with tourists, who seemed more at home than I did. I'm sure outside the city centre it will be much the same as Glasgow, but certainly the city centre is the most unique place in Scotland I have visited. I've always been biased against Edinburgh due to my pride as a Glasweigan, but maybe now I can finally admit that Edinburgh is maybe worthy of being tagged, 'The Athens of the North'.
As I have been off work due to my wrist injury I've found myself often bored. So last Friday, knowing I'd have nothing to do, I decided I would go for a day-trip to Edinburgh. I had never been to Edinburgh before, and I thought it's best I check out my own capital city before embarking on a trip visiting several capitals around Europe!
After catching the 7.50am train from Glasgow Central I arrived at around 9am to a very Sunny Edinburgh Waverly station. Almost as soon as I left the station I was taken by the sites around me. The buildings in and around the city centre are quite stunning, putting Glasgow's city centre to shame I must admit!
My first port of call was to visit Edinburgh Castle. On entry I took a guided tour of the castle and heard some funny anecdotes from the tour guide Frank who had that true to Scottish humour in which we take the piss out of ourselves. After a good 2 hours in and around the castle I decided it was time to grab something to eat and enjoy my first pint in Edinburgh. After a short walk down the Royal Mile I stopped off at a pub called The Mitre and ordered up a tuna melt and a pint of Peroni(ooh missus!). Feeling like a tourist and complete outsider in Edinburgh I wolfed down my tuna melt and sipped my pint and had a wee read of 'Not Forgotten' by Neil Oliver. The sun was beating down on my face, and I knew I could not go anymore walking without another first quenching pint. So another pint was ordered and enjoyed before setting off down the other end of the Royal Mile to the new Scottish Parliament building.
The Scottish Parliament building has taken a lot of criticism for how much of the tax payers money was spent on it. After arriving at the odd shaped, and out of place building, I decided to go inside and possibly get a tour. I set off the alarm due to my steel toe-capped boots and after getting frisked by some old codger, who seemed to enjoy it more than I, I headed up to the debating chamber, what would turn out to be a very unimpressive lecture hall. I left the Scottish Parliament building very disappointed. It seems that the criticism for the cost of the building is completely just as it seems extremely out of place, tacky and powerless.
After the parliament building I decided another pint was on the cards and after receiving a text from my dad informing me that Rose Street was 'pub heaven' I made my way up and down Rose Street, failing to find a pub where there was any seats outside available, but as it was very hot they were all occupied so I proceeded to go to pub that seemed nice and traditional, though the name escapes me now. I sat up right in the back and observed the surroundings around me. Rugby jerseys and pictures all around, it really is a Rugby city, not a football top or photography in site! I had a quick pint before nipping off to Princes Street Gardens to have a seat in the sun while I waited for my train. I sat on the grass verge for a good half an hour watchin other folk doing the self same thing as me, and some guys with mullets doing extremely strange acrobatic dancing, before heading off down the Waverly Steps in order to catch the 4pm train.
I left Edinburgh happy after an enjoyable day. It seems a very strange city, very cosmopolitan and very un-Scottish. The buildings are nice and the streets are filled with tourists, who seemed more at home than I did. I'm sure outside the city centre it will be much the same as Glasgow, but certainly the city centre is the most unique place in Scotland I have visited. I've always been biased against Edinburgh due to my pride as a Glasweigan, but maybe now I can finally admit that Edinburgh is maybe worthy of being tagged, 'The Athens of the North'.
Monday 6 April 2009
Backpack and rail pass
My backpack has been purchased and my rail pass has arrived, now just for the travel insurance and my pre travel spending is complete(other than the odd thing here and there). Excitement for this trip is going to help me get through the exam period(that and the Lok doing the double hopefully! ;-) ). Can't wait to get going, enjoying looking at the different cities I'm going to and thinking of things I'd like to do while I'm there.
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Inter Rail Pass
That's me finally bought my rail pass for this summer. Every new thing I buy for the trip makes me even more excited, thought parting with £400 over the internet does make me nervous! All I need now is my back pack then I'm sorted. Just got to keep working hard to get more money and pass my exams at Uni first time so I don't have to worry about sitting any resits in August. Only 90 days til we go!
-Steven
-Steven
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Travel Itinerary
1. Glasgow - Paris (fly)
2. Paris
3. Paris
4. Paris - Berlin
5. Berlin
6. Berlin
7. Berlin - Prague
8. Prague
9. Prague
10. Prague - Vienna
11. Vienna
12. Vienna
13. Vienna - Venice
14. Venice
15. Venice - Rome
16. Rome
17. Rome
18. Rome - Athens (fly)
19. Athens
20. Athens
21. Athens
22. Athens
23. Athens - Thessaloniki - Sofia
24. Sofia
25. Sofia - Belgrade
26. Belgrade - Budapest
27. Budapest
28. Budapest
29 Budapest - Glasgow (fly)
2. Paris
3. Paris
4. Paris - Berlin
5. Berlin
6. Berlin
7. Berlin - Prague
8. Prague
9. Prague
10. Prague - Vienna
11. Vienna
12. Vienna
13. Vienna - Venice
14. Venice
15. Venice - Rome
16. Rome
17. Rome
18. Rome - Athens (fly)
19. Athens
20. Athens
21. Athens
22. Athens
23. Athens - Thessaloniki - Sofia
24. Sofia
25. Sofia - Belgrade
26. Belgrade - Budapest
27. Budapest
28. Budapest
29 Budapest - Glasgow (fly)
Welcome to my blog
Hello, my name is Steven Livingston, I am 19 years old and live in Glasgow with my dad Ian, mum Tricia and younger sister Kim. I am currently studying History at Strathclyde University and working part-time in Morrisons. I enjoy listening to music and playing guitar, both of which I do regularly. I am also a huge football fan and take great pride in supporting both Pollok and Rangers along with playing 5-a-sides. When I am not studying, working, or at the football I enjoy going to pubs and clubs for a few drinks with friends.
In July of this summer it is my plan to travel around 9 countries in Europe with my friend Robert. It is for this reason I've made the blog to record my travels so that everyone back home can read about what I've been up to while on the continent, although I will probably use this blog for posting random links and music reviews or downloads I come across.
-Steven
In July of this summer it is my plan to travel around 9 countries in Europe with my friend Robert. It is for this reason I've made the blog to record my travels so that everyone back home can read about what I've been up to while on the continent, although I will probably use this blog for posting random links and music reviews or downloads I come across.
-Steven
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