The Praha adventure and Budapest (with photos!)

Finally, I've found the time, free internet, and data transfer availability required to share a few photos. I'm not sure how to format the photos on the page, and I don't think I can label them so these are jumbled. Nightscape is the view of the Praha Castle also in the background of the heavily-touristed Karlov Most (Charles Bridge). The suspension bridge is Budapest's own Chain Bridge as viewed from the Buda Royal Palace. Also shown is a shot of the Buda shore of the Danube River.

I've finally become accustomed to feeling sticky and gross two minutes after a shower and in clean clothes. This is good, because from what I hear from passing travellers is that it only gets hotter from here.

After an extra day in Praha on account of meeting a Russian girl, I am in Budapest. Looking back on my days in Praha, I have to say it is a beautifully romantic city overrun by partying tourists. Not that I am against a good party, it's just that a gem of a city such as Praha shouldn't be degraded by touristing 16-year-olds and stag party hooligans. A few early mornings however gave me a very pleasant experience in this postcard city. Meandering, cobbled alleyways lead to preserved synagogues or cool, dark cellar-pubs. Nearly every street corner boasts some visual reminder of Praga's rich history.

I rode my first night train on Friday to arrive in Budapest ready to explore. It worked, as I spent the entire day hiking the hills of Buda and its Royal Palace. Crossing the Chain Bridge to Pest, I was pulled into a local music festival with lively Hungarian music and amazing food. Speaking of food, goulash is unfortunately not a summer meal so the only restaurants to serve it do so for tourits (read: it costs three times more than it should). The music festival was a refreshing display of smiles and enthusiasm after finding that Hungarians are unusually grumpy. Especially the hostel owner! I was warned about this on the train. Hungary is, according to my cynical cabin mate, one of Europe's top countries for suicide, alcoholism, divorce, and depression. I suppose that's what a history of communist rule will do to a nation.

On the schedule for today is a visit to the famous szechenyi thermal bath.

Next stop, Vienna.