Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Friday, February 21, 2020
Europe 2018 Dec. to 2019 March
I want some better weather for tomorrow. So I can go and do some sightseeing. Been here b4 but so many things have changed I need to look around again and take photos so I can share.
For everybody who travels a lot I have a suggestion. Buy a power bank. It is not cheap, starts at about $35-40 for a better one but worth it. I plugged my tablet into it last night and by morning it was charged 100%
Alka-Seltzer to the rescue. Sun being out today wasn't enough. I still caught the cold. Luckily I packed enough of that miracle stuff. Luckily my messed up tummy is a lot better now. Not drinking water so I won't need to use toilet is not a good idea, during travel. Still learning at my age.
This was a great day. I left Hotel at 9 am. Went directly to pharmacy, got what I needed. Took a taxi to Rossio Train station, got a ticket to Sintra. It takes about 40 minutes from Lisbon to Sintra. When I arrived I was expecting a v.long walk, but things have changed since I have been there the last time. Hop on - Hop off buses, tak-tak's, tour vans and private tour guides. This lady was explaining to me how the hop on - hop off works, and I kept telling her I can't take
that because it is too high for me, and I don't want to fall, but she thanked me for my suggestion to carry a small stool with her. At the same time a tour guide with a van said "well I can't take you either because my van is high too" . Me having an accent the lady asked "where you from", so I told both of them "I was born and raised in Romania, but I live in the US/Colorado". Immediately the lady said " Buna dimineata", so did the guy, and of course I replied. Buna dimineata. The guy looked over the street and called out to a young lady " Hey Rebecca, have a customer for you", Rebecca came over, heard from the guy that I'm from Romania, and she started talking to me in Romanian. Turns out she was born in Romania, but lives in Portugal since she was 5 years old. She told me she usually takes 2 ppl.but she was OK to take me alone on a 2.5 hrs tour. I went mostly for photo ops. No museums or inside the castle this time, but we made it out to the sea also, will have photos. Yes, I know but it will worth the wait! Since she given me a discount from her original price, I promised I will take her to lunch, after the tour. So we did go to lunch after 2 pm. Fresh seafood and salad for me. In Spain , Argentina and here in Portugal they bring to the table bread, olives, cheese and 2 pc.of deep fried pastry. This are always on the house. One of those deep fried triangles were "samosas", one of the best I ever tasted, one was stuffed with seafood, one with the potato/pea and Indian spice filling. Can somebody tell me why are samosas served, in Portugal, at a seafood restaurant . I know I just want to see if anybody else can figure it out. Actually, Rebecca told me it is also called "samosas" in Portuguese. After the main course we opted out of coffee and sweets, but we got a surprise on the house again. We got 2 small glasses of Porto ( digestive), and 2 pc.of sweet pastry, looked almost like "cat's tongue", but it wasn't. It was a nice lunch. Hopefully tomorrow will be as good, when I go out to Belem.
More and more people I find that speak English in Lisbon. This wasn't the case in 2000-2001 when I was here the first time. Good for tourism business for sure. The same is happening in Paris. Will see how things are going in Spain.! Today on my way back from Belem, the taxi driver was talking to me , asking where am going next, so I told him, I'm going to Albufeira and Portimao and his face lit up. Looked at me and said " You will like both very much". Is Portuguese
people's favorite vacation spot. I searched the internet for 2 months before I decided on this 2 places in the Algarve region. Now I'm pretty excited seems like I made good choices w/out knowing anything about this places. This is the reason I like
people's favorite vacation spot. I searched the internet for 2 months before I decided on this 2 places in the Algarve region. Now I'm pretty excited seems like I made good choices w/out knowing anything about this places. This is the reason I like
This was an interesting day. I left Lisbon sick. Eat just a toast. Arrived Albufeira, my guest house in in center where cars are not permitted. The taxi driver told me where to go after he left me off. Well, I did, and asked a woman on the way........she told me wrong so I went up at least 150 steps, a guy helped me, when I got up the steps, I asked another person where is my Guest house. He checked his phone, and told me is "down the stairs".....ruck....so I went down those steps again, this second guy helped me when we got down the stairs......he was already standing in front of the door...I told him, I was here when I asked that woman from the purse shop,( because I didn't see the street sign), and she told me I need to go up the stairs. Well, she lost a deal, because I wanted to buy a purse from her ( all leather), now I won't. The guest house is like new between so many small old homes. The lady in charge is French. I asked for laundry service she told me she will do it for me. I'm the only guest here. At least is warmer here. The room is immaculate, so clean I can eat off the floor. I used to make reservations on Hot Wire years ago, until one day I got screwed over by them with a false advertisement, since then I use booking.com and I'm getting pretty good deals. This is a bit more expensive than the one in Lisbon, but it is somewhat bigger and I have own bathroom. ( No shared one).
It's Sunday......slept in and when I heard noice outside my window I looked out and ppl.were walking around the plaza, so I thought it was time to go out and get some food. The only food with rice I found was "green chili w/meat and rice". I still can't smell or taste, but I ordered a portion 6.50€.....and a bottle of water. I eat half of the chili with the cup of rice and then I asked for another cup of rice, and finished my chili. It was good since I had no cooked meal since the 7th of January. I only had 3 sandwiches in 7 days. Let see if this will help. It is beautiful outside, seen some guys in speedo's and mostly every visitor or local is in shorts and short sleeves. The taxi driver told me they don't like it because everything is dry, they need rain. The rain went to Switzerland and Austria in solid form ( snow). This is it folks.....I'll be moving on tomorrow.
Happy Monday everybody! I made it to Portimao. Nice Hotel again, and they have elevatorđ. It is a bit chilli here too, and I'm not over my cold but heat in the room, there is a bathtub not just shower and the street has stores in all directions, not to mention I can buy water right at the reception. I asked about tours, the concierge told me they don't do tours, but they have contacts. I also asked if I can extend my reservation if I need to, he said YES. $29/ night.....and I have TV. Yeah.
Went to the laundry....and I want to live in Portugal. The washing machines are loaded with detergent and softener, no need to do anything just load it, pay at a separate panel that also tells you how to operate it. €5 for 1.25 hr wash. Then another 30 minutes or so for drying. And if you have problems an attendant can see that in her little office ( I never even knew she was there until she came out and asked me if everything was OK?). Between the wash and dry cycles I went to SPAR and got some food. Portuguese Bread is the best in the world. Well besides Chilean bread. đ
For everyone who travels if I may have a suggestion.... "Wear as darker clothes as possible". I had my turquoise parka with me, and got some oil on it at some point or on the train or in a bus/taxi????, and won't wash out is that badly stained. Well it will be the end of it anyway after this trip. DARKER THE OUTER WEAR for travel the better.đ
This ppl. in Portugal are fantastic. I guess the concierge told the maids that I'm sick and cold, so while I was at the laundry, they came in and put an extra comforter on my bed. Then when I returned, they checked on me "if everything was OK?" .They deserve a tip, right?. I honestly love Portugal.. ..................On my last week post I asked if anyone might have an idea why they serve samosas in a Portuguese Restaurant in Lisbon. As we all know ( I'm sure all my FB friends know), the state of GOA once was a Portuguese colony, so many Portuguese food to this day comes from that part of the world......
Good morning. A bit of excitement today. Went to get some food and kleenex, in my way back I saw an ATM, on a side street. Several ppl.we're waiting. Some took too long, some finished fast, some left and came back to try again, I was patiently waiting on a street bench. When all was clear I went up to the machine put in my card and pressed "withdrawal " button after pur in my pin...punch in the amount I wanted. I hear the machine counting the money, and all of a sudden everything just stops and no money no card.....I pressed every button that was on that machine NOTHING........a lady approaches and I just spoke plain English, that " the machine took my card"....and she replied "have you been inside the Bank to tell them"?, never even realized it was an ATM of a Bank. Lucky me......I go inside and where I should have waited in line to solve the problem was long (5 ppl.were waiting). I saw an open cubicle with a gentleman doing something and I practically invaded him. Me: English? He: No I'm Portuguese.....we both laughed for a second, and then rapidly I told him what the problem was. He told me I need to go and wait in line where I already knew I have to wait. Luckily he went and retrieved my card and give it to the man who I had to see. By this time I was somewhat relieved seeing my card. After about 35 minutes it was my turn. The employee apologized for the long wait....ok, in my mind, just let's get it over. He already knew what happened, and kept telling me to call my Bank before I use my card again, and I kept telling him "the card is good worked before and is registered with the Bank", he kept repeating " you need to call your Bank before you use it again", me .....but it worked.........so he finally spit it out that " the machine is broken". Hallelujah we getting somewhere, so is not the card, is your damn machine. So just to be Maria, I instructed him to put a note on that machine in that case so ppl.won't waste time and their card by trying to use it. Came back to the Hotel and asked the nice concierge to check it for me if it works, so He charged tonight's stay on it and bingo. It works, so no need to call the Bank. Exitement, exitement, exitement. On the side....I slept 8 hrs.w/out waking up. Feeling better but still nasty cough......but getting better.
2,600 Romlei is equal with 552€. Here in Portugal the wage is 560€ so was I told. That's all . Nobody cries that they can't afford basic needs, they can't afford housing on any level, because housing is v.expensive especially in Lisbon, and of course is expensive because everybody want to live in Lisbon Food is very inexpensive. Besides the 2 Restaurant meals I had eaten, I only spent 25€ for food in 3 weeks. This is a matriarchal society, woman still cook at home instead of going out to eat. Just because of this, cooking shows on TV are presented by woman. I won't say more. Something, somewhere is not adding up. But be as is!. Moving on tomorrow let see if I will feel better. đ
Bom Dia from Sagres. Well I'm at the end of the European continent. I started out in Portimao, stopped in Lagos and ended up.in Sagres. The Western most point of Europe. Interesting day again. In Portimao 3 ppl. couldn't figure out where the Lagos bus is on the waterfront. Finally 1 taxi driver asked at an office and they told him where to take me. Just barely give him the fare and the bus pulled up. €4 to Lagos. In Lagos I had to change bus, waited almost 2 hrs. Bom, Sagres bus pulls in the driver tells me to put in my luggage under the bus where they suppose to do it. OK he already checked my ticket. Someone helps me put the luggage in the under the bus compartment, trying to get on the bus, he is asking for my ticket again, realized it was already checked so he lets me on. On the first row where disabled ppl.should sit, was a hobo sitting, so I articulate toward him to get up and showing the stickers on the window, nothing he turns around looking outside the window away from me. When the bus driver got up, I motioned it to him to tell that guy to move it. And he did. The guy started arguing with him, but not for long, because the driver showed him the sticker again and explained it to him that those are reserved seats for pregnant woman, disabled passengers and mothers with young children. He mumbled something there for a while, but finally find another seat.OK we are on our way to Sagres. This buses are regionals ( commuters.) so they stop at every tree and fire hydrant. đș. Finally at one point he stops the bus and tells us to get off because it is Sagres. Where, we were on a street. He kept telling us to get off. I wasn't the only passenger who kept asking him about taxi and why doesn't he takes us to the bus terminal. He said no bus terminal, ok we get off, but where can be get taxis? "Taxis in the city, you need to go back". Go back where ? He told us again to get off. OK we did. It was this young couple started walking back toward the city center, I slowly after them. Finally they came to a bar and the guy went in to ask for a taxi. They told the bartender where they want to go. I didn't asked for a taxi. I asked the young couple, if I can share the taxi with them when arrives. The lady asked me where I need to go, so I told her, she looked it up on her phone , turns out it was 200 meters from the bus station where that dimwit bus driver ordered us off. We are not locals, we don't know the area, ( and Maria is a stubborn world traveler who refuses to carry a phone). đ. Anyway they agreed, but told me when the taxi arrives they need to ask if is willing to go back let me off and they can go where they need to go. The taxi arrived, a private car driven by a young girl. She agreed to take me first...because it was really close ( only if I had known when I got off that bus). Anyway, took me to my Apartments and I agreed to pay for everybody's fare.....and the gentleman didn't let me. He told me just split it and will be good enough. OK. Got to the apartments. It was 2 pm. Check in 3 pm. Another person was also waiting. At some point s he disappeared and came back with the guy who does the check in. Well, it turns out the guy Josh, runs the Apartamentos and the 2 shops adjacent to it.. 3 nights 56€ an entire apartment. Bath with bathtub, TV, double bed, refrigerator and microwave. Supermarket SPAR is just next door. Got food, sitting in bed and writing.
Good morning from Sagres. R&R day after yesterday's exiting travel events. That bus driver needs special training, first in directions secondly in how to handle foreigners who bring in the money that pays for his job. SPAR market is just around the corner from my Apartamentos Atalaia, and the Bus station is about 100-150? Meters opposite side of street from the supermarket where he ordered us off the bus and sent us back the wrong direction. But all good now. I have heat in the room, I have hot water, I have drinking water, I have food and a big soft bed.
Coming to Europe for me is not like coming home. Where I was born and raised in the middle of the communist era we didn't had much, and I left Europe in the late '70's before the end of the Communist era and for a brief stopover in Italy I hardly knew anything about living in the West. Anyway returning now having the time to pay more attention to things. Outside the bathroom are 2 light switches, one is normal like the rest in the house, the other has a little red led light on it. It looked so nice last night in the dark, when I had to go to the toilet. I figured it was a night light. Just to realize it today, is a switch to a heater above the door. A heater when I go to take a bath I won't be cold. That's why I got sick in Lisbon the bathroom was freezing cold. Damn, I just need to take a bath now đ
Happy Monday! Humid as a sauna today in Sagres. Slept until 9:30. This place is out of this Earth for relaxation. I hired a TOURISM taxi to take me around the area so I can take photos. Some ppl.walk but most ppl.drive out to the Cape St.Vincent.....I managed to get fairly close to the cliffs to take photos but the wind was so powerful I rather stayed a few feet behind. Beautiful weather except is windy and totally humid today. OK so the lady guide picked me up and asked where I want to go, so I told her and she took me around and when I saw something interesting she stopped and let me get out of the car and take photos. I did my best (my friends you need to wait for photos when I get back home). Anyway, when she came to pick me up, we
said HI. I asked her if she speaks English, she replied, " A little bit", I told her a little bit is good enough. So she is driving, and trying to tell me, that she is not from Portugal originally, she is from Budapest, to this I replied in Hungarian, " So then we can communicate in Hungarian". She looked at me like she didn't hear it right.......and said , "I can't believe it, I only had another Hungarian speaking client in 20 years". Well, she had one today ☺. I have so many memories like this from my trips. This is what travel is about! 30 minutes 20€.....a morning well spent. On arrival back to the Apartamentos, I went to see Josh's store ( Josh is the manager also for the Apartamentos ). I got a scarf finally, because the one I have with me, keeps my neck wet and I don't want to get sick any more. Another day, on which I will look back some day and remember where I was and what I did. ☺
said HI. I asked her if she speaks English, she replied, " A little bit", I told her a little bit is good enough. So she is driving, and trying to tell me, that she is not from Portugal originally, she is from Budapest, to this I replied in Hungarian, " So then we can communicate in Hungarian". She looked at me like she didn't hear it right.......and said , "I can't believe it, I only had another Hungarian speaking client in 20 years". Well, she had one today ☺. I have so many memories like this from my trips. This is what travel is about! 30 minutes 20€.....a morning well spent. On arrival back to the Apartamentos, I went to see Josh's store ( Josh is the manager also for the Apartamentos ). I got a scarf finally, because the one I have with me, keeps my neck wet and I don't want to get sick any more. Another day, on which I will look back some day and remember where I was and what I did. ☺
Next stop Seville.....tomorrow night I'll be there. Leaving Sagres at 10:35 morning. Getting to Lagos 11:45. And have the bus to Seville at 13:25._ Arriving in the evening at 9:35 approx. The price for 3 nights is a bit more there than in Sagres, but it is OK. Very curious to see how that place will be. They include bfast in the price and serve meals for extra cost. Will report on it asap. See ya next from Spain.
Hola desde Seville, Espagna. Dang, as soon as crossed into Spain my Spanish is killing me, spoke to everybody so far in Spanish. I guess it works only when I'm tired and need favors đ ......been a long day Left Sagres at 10:25 this morning .....the same driver picked me up, where he left me off Saturday. But all of a sudden since then he graduated English 101 and even got out of his seat and helped me with my luggage. He must had a long relaxing weekend. đ Anyway, in Lagos I had to wait 1:45 hrs.for the Seville bus. From Lagos to Portimao to Albufeira, to Faro to Olhao to Tavira ( now that is a nice little city I was planning to go there originally, but I seen it tonight .....from Tavira we headed directly toward the border......Portugal said SEE YOU SOON crossed the bridge and voila we were in ESPANA. Not a sign of Bienvenido nothing. OK. We got here at 9 pm. It was easy to get a taxi.......but the Hostal is very close 450 meters from the bus station. I told the senior conduttore, that Yo estoy muy cansada, y esta muy tardes.......so take me please. He said no problema....but when he got to the street he couldn't find the number....so he told me the fare, and went around the block again and find it the second time. How could have I find that in the pitch dark, tired and being a stranger in a strange city. Anyway, ppl.are very helpful here as well......what I seen so far in the dark.....I like. But all cats are black I'm the dark too....so will see if I'm up to do anything tomorrow. Will update. If anyone loves to read I recommend a book I read 3 times so far, and is one of my favorites "Spanish Recognitions by Mary Lee Settle" . Buenas noches a todos!
Well, this is no Portugal no more. No more food for 2 days for 5€. Just breakfast is 3.50€ . Luckily I have some food with me for dinner tonight, because this is a rest day. Tomorrow the front desk person will call a taxi for me and I will go into the Old town about good 20-25 minutes walk from here he told me. Can't do that or if I get there I won't be able to walk back. ( damn sciatica is not letting me forget it). Anyway there is elevator in the building, nice. Breakfast was 1/2 of a huge bun ( it is so huge imagine 2 ciabatta rolls together on top of each other.....so I had 1/2 and butter and peach jam. 1/2 of that roll was cheese, ham and salami slices . 1 glass orange juice. Can chose between fruit, yoghurt or a croissant. Instead of coffee I had hot tea. This is all breakfast. I don't need lunch now. I try to make up for the long travel day yesterday. Have TV in the room and heat. This is not a Hostel where backpackers are in and out and buy a bed in a 8 bed room. This is a Guest House (Hostal)....and so far I've seen only elder residents. Nice place, very clean U have the impression that in Portugal and here in Spain they clean for a hobby.☺ Rest day today
Well, I had a great day yesterday, not so great today. I felt the 4-5 hr. walks of yesterday all night long. But I did something yesterday that hopefully will work. After the 2 hrs. walk around Plaza Espana, I came home and took 3 tramadols. I also took a short nap, and then went out at 3 PM again until 5:30. And I felt pretty good on my second outing. Not so much at night. I took a very hot shower last night......thinking I will sleep better, but regardless of that hot shower and heat in the room, I was shivering to the point that at 1 am I had to put on my long sleeve shirt and after that finally the shivering stopped. Felt pain in all my joints this morning, but not the CO pain from cold, this was pain from walking so much. All good again. Went to the bus station 250 meters from the Hostal and purchased my bus ticket for tomorrow. For 2 hrs. bus ride the price is the same as for 8 hrs bus ride out of Portugal. Anyway tomorrow by this time I will be in Cordoba.
Lomo adobado horno ( tenderloin baked in oven) was my dinner tonight. I'm not a fan of dried out lomo, but this was the best I ever had. Melted in my mouth. Went and got ticket for tomorrow morning. No translation needed, all went down nicely in Spanish. Seville is so Argentine ( I guess there's a reason why Argentina's speak Spanish ( Castellano dialect). Sidewalks are almost as bad as in Argentina......but ppl.are very helpful and accommodating. Taxi drivers speak English but I want to practice my Spanish so they don't mind my slow Spanish. đ. Ready for Cordoba reserved only 2 nights stay, but if I like it I might be able to make it 4 nights. 4 nights in every city is about the norm. Yesterday strolling in the "ciudad vieja" I looked at a huge advertising in the Burger King window. Be happy that you live in the US, where you still can have a $ 0.99 burger if that's what you can afford. I'm not kidding a "double cheeseburger with bbq sauce" 8.99€..... I should have taken a photo so ppl.don't think I'm lying.....that would be a $11 burger in the US from BK. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. As soon I arrived in Spain I realized this is no Portugal. No more 2 days food purchased for 5€( and Google doesn't know there is a word meaning "food" in English keeps changing it to "good" all day! )
And finally made it to Cordoba. I'm jinxed with bus travel. In 2010 Oct. Greyhound broke down in Topeka KS. In 2016 Breyhound broke down between Augusta and Atlanta. Today, ALSA bus broke down 30 minutes away from Cordoba. I jinx them for some reason. But finally here. Tomorrow sightseeing. And Monday morning moving on. But at the same time I'm lucky.......when I arrived to the Hostel.......I saw they are open 9:30 to 14:30. Then I only saw 17:30. I was here at 13:45 but first I went to eat. A " pollo Asaso con aioli and a glass of agua con gas( club soda), 2.80€".......The chicken sandwich came with papas fritas. It was the perfect portion for me. On the menu are 3 different platos and each of those have a designated number of items for 6€. When I saw 1 of the items being a " hot dog", I almost lost my appetite. Why Spaniards or Italians have to accommodate certain segment of the tourist population. But that garlic was so good on that chicken sandwich. So tomorrow more photos. I 'm at a Hostel this time, in the main plaza of Ciudad Vieja. It is a lot colder here in the Sierra Mountains, but is much drier than Sevilla. Climbed 2 floors ( no elevators in this 200 year old building), but to stay in a building protected by "World Heritage Org.", in an honor in itself.
I went to get my ticket to Granada this afternoon, ( for tomorrow). At the bus station they have a special long distance bus that goes to several cities only in Romania. Needed to use the loo, walked by a little kiosk in the bus station ....the name of the kiosk " produse Romanesti". Going further down the aisle of that huge terminal, another window. Deliverez pachete in Romania ( deliver packages to Romania). I felt like I was in Romania and not Cordoba Spain.☺
Well, it's cold outside. And overcast. What a great idea was to do the Alhambra yesterday. This morning slept in again, it's quiet and dark in the room, and I don't need to go to work, so I sleep in. At 10 I went to do the laundry. The laundromat is very simular to that of Portugal, except here you feed the coins into the machines themselves, in Portugal was a main panel to operate all the machines from. While the ropas were drying, I went to the bakery and got a huge " croissant Neapolitan". When laundry was dry, folded and put it in my backpack. Walked down toward the Hostal, when just figured I better go and look for that supermarket on the other side of the street where I was told after I arrived. And there it was. All this on the picture 11€. ( olive oil, 2 bottles water, lemon, jamon serrano, pate de jamon, pan, sal, comb and plastic knives).
Well, it is my last day in Granada, I was making plans last night where am I going to go, what am I going to visit, but I woke up to a torrential rain hitting the roof. I will wait until noon or 2 PM if the rain doesn't stop until then, I might just go the the bazaar and look around. Not much to do on streets. I have a rain poncho, but regardless I want to take photos and that is impossible in rain. I don't want to ruin my cameras. đ
I had a very light sleep last night. I sure hope I can make up for it tonight. A glass of wine could help, but maybe I'll do some shopping for that tomorrow! I remember when I lived here in Rome back in 1978-79 me and my friends were buying "spumanti" wine by the case. It came to $0.25/bottle.... Cheap for sure. đ
Today my friend Dana helped with my luggage, up on the train. The best place for it was under the seat next to me. The person who sit next to me got off in Florence. As soon the train started moving, I went to the toilet, when I came back and sit down, the gentleman in the seat behind me, tapped my shoulder and asked if the " luggage under the seat is mine". Yes sir, is mine.........I could see on his face the sign of relief. He told me " for safety purposes only". And I can understand. Nobody is sitting in front of him, but there is a luggage under the seat. This is what means to be observant and ask, rather than be surprised.
Yesterday, I was reminded of something I was trying to forger for 41 years. I went to a real Restaurant for a sit down lunch. Everything was fine, actually the food was so so so good and the portions are so huge, I always have left over for "porta via" (take away). But when lunch was over, I went to the toilet, and that's when I saw it. Not 1 but 2 containers with "rat poison" , in the stahl. At least was no rat around. But still remembered back in 1978, when I was in a phone booth, and the rats were running around between my feet. I'm going to die if I ever see another rat.
Good night all over the world! Off again in the morning! Going to Genoa for 4 days. From there to Hungary, I just need to figure it out by what means. Trains or buses , both seem to take too long 17+ hrs.Will figure it out in Genoa. Will post when get and settled in the Hotel.
Yesterday in Rome I went to the open air market of Campo de Fiori, where my life to the US started ( The org. I was sent to from the American Embassy in Bucharest had its offices there). So even if I didn't know where I was, I heard a few "cazzo here and cazzo there", that really proved to me that I was in Rome đđđđ! Also while in Campo de Fiori I went into a store that was selling cold cuts, I showed with my finger to a pc.of dry sausage and asked the good looking guy if it is "picante"? He cut 3 thin slices and give it to me to try. It was the perfect seasoning. Tonight I had that for dinner........my mouth is burning. Those few paper thin slices did no justice to the spiciness of this v.good tasting sausage otherwise. Tomorrow I will have gyro or kebap from the store next to the hotel. Last time in Genoa I eat there every day. Or I use the smaller food stahls in the train station. And confession time, I had a cappuccino today in Rome before I got on the train.
This is Hotel Chopin in Genoa I's staying. So far the most expensive, but just because originally I reserved 4 nights and when I arrived I asked to add 1 extra night and that 1extra night added $85 to my bill. It wort the peace and quiet and relaxation for me, b4 hitting the road again.
I have no idea how am I going to make it to Hungary. From here if I go to Milan to Verona to Venice to Insbruck, to B......something, to Wienna and then Sopron. I need to change trains 7 times.....Not in my lifetime...... Idiot system . Don't retired ppl. travel by train in Europe?. But that is not enough. From Genoa to Milano arrives to one station, and in Milano need to change stations in 36 minutes. Gives me the posibility of Metro ( yes in a city I never been to before). Or taxi which is 12€, or UBER which would be 24€. This is how I just realized that Uber is twice as expensive as a taxi. So why we using Uber?
Last time I was here I got a gyro or kebap ( they spell it as such), every day one or the other for lunch or for dinner. It was the best thing ever. One night he had sliced off all the meet that was on that huge skewer and put all the meat in my gyro. That time a gyro or kebap was 7€, each. Today I ordered the same thing and I really didn't see what he was doing, but when he assembled the gyro he wrapped it in aluminiu foil. I eat the kebap there for lunhch and I took the gyro with me for dinner. Now I know why he is only charging 4€ for the gyro. Barely any meat, but is stuffed with french fries. More fries than meat. In my opinion doesn't even worth 4€. Anyway, the train Station has, Sushi Restaurant, has Pasta/Pizza Restaurant and sandwich places. Will do my feeding in one of those Restaurants tomorrow. There is another Pasta/Pizza bar next to the Hotel, and many more up the street. No lack of food in Genoa. I just don't like to be given gyro stuffed with french fries, when I was used to something else!
I don't know what's happening in Genoa but every day, almost once every hr. the Police cars sirens are being heard ( even 4 years ago ), I asked if is the.Police or ambulance, I was told is the Police.
Had "pasta carbonara" for lunch and a small bottle of "acqua con gas". 8€........no more eating for 2 days out if 5€. But no meat dishes either under 20 Euro
So many things are so totally inaccurately presented here on FB, and so many ppl.fall for this liberal crap. Please start thinking with your brain, instead of your heart. Good to be aware of things but every statement has 2 sides and 2 explanations but not always it is as it looks like. If ppl. have no money they write bad checks. If they write bad checks and is not covered with funds in their own acc.is called " overdraft". If you don't want Banks to charge you overdraft, than sign up for " overdraft protection". Either way will cost you money, but with overdraft protection will cost you less. If I see stupid memes referring to "charging poor ppl.money by a rich Bank", I swear I'm going to reply in such manner to make you understand why you posting stupid stuff you never thought about, or you don't know how things work in real life. I had enough of bleeding heart memes.
Well, I had a nice day. Took the train to Rapallo, from there I hired a taxi to take me to Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. A 16C day. Beautiful. When I got on the train, someone was talking very loud on a cell phone. At one point I herd "a va fa'n c....lo". There's no mistake, reminded me I was in Italy. An older gentleman face to face with me, started shaking his head, like "I can't believe what this guy is saying"....the cussing went on for a while, until the controllers came on and escorted the foul mouthed fella off the train. I think.that guy was so drunk he never realized where he was. Anyway, streets were full with visitors and locals. Beautiful day, sunny and warm. Unfortunately, again, I can walk only that fast and that far. But I jumped into a taxi the guy took me around to take photos. Hard to do it, when can't stop and really take more photos than 1 or 2 of the area. But it was a nice day for a short excursion. On the way home I had Japanese food for lunch. Teriyaki noodles. Now I need a nap. Tomorrow is my last day here in Genoa so I need to figure our what will I di tomorrow.
Left at 8 sharp this morning. Took train to Corniglia, from there back to Vernazza. From Vernazza back to Sestri Levante. Changed train and got back to Genoa Principe at 4:30. I'm super exhausted. Need to stay and rest because tomorrow I'm on the road all day. Yesterday I did Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino. My "Cinque Terre adventure comes to end......and continue with some Hungarian adventure, and then see ya Deutschland đ
Grusse aus Munchen, Deutcheland. That was easy, I'm here for 10 minutes and after drinking a glass of Gerolsteiner, I already speak German. Yes, no Hotel ever, even had a glass of plain water, not to mention Gerolsteiner, my favorite sparkling water. And the water is boiling hot in the bathroom. Good to be back in Germany.
Since my cloths were in the laundry today, I ordered room service. Burger and fries and cole slaw. It was a good tasting beef. Very seldom I eat burgers, but I sure try to taste them in diff. countries around the world to see the difference between American beef and beef in other countries. It was good.
Well, I tried to doctor my cough all day. Feeling better, but this cough still hanging around. But at least is curable. Tomorrow moving on. Will see what's next. 5 nights in Sopron starting tomorrow. Will update!
I'm miserably sick again a mix of cold from the Italian Ligurian coast, and the resurfaced bronchitis that really did not go away in January. I'm taking my medicine I got in Portugal, and , I will be better if I can get a good night's sleep. I spent some time with my longtime friend Zsuzsa W. We had time to catch up on some things we didn't do 4 years ago. Had a great time Zsuzsa. Hopefully se you in CO some day!đThanks for everything!
The older lady who runs this guesthouse with her sons, just came to check on me. She told me I look a lot better, than I did earlier today. I feel somewhat better, but now I'm scared to even talk. She offered to get me breakfast from the store, in the morning. Her son offered to pick up lunch from the Restaurant he bring in some menu today.... Lovely family.
I will travel as long as I live, here, there, everywhere, but as long as Europe is making me sick (the mouth full of smoke blown in my face didn't helped me either), this is my last trip to Europe. Ppl.in Germany and Hungary smoke more than the rest of Europe. And Monday I'm heading back to Germany. Luckily the person I'm going to meet up with or her family are non smokers.
Good morning Monday! Good news. I slept 8 hrs.w/ out coughing interruptions. Antibiotics really works. Should have started it earlier. After waking up, I coughed a few but just to get rid of the gunk in my chest. No longer coming from my lungs. And can finally breath. Nothing is worst than not being able to get air in or get it out of the lungs completely. It will take a few more days to get even better, but now I start to have hope!
I made it to Hannover. This is the cutest Hotel I ever been in. Hotels usually are very business like, this is more welcoming by a tiny bit of feminine touch. Each Hotel is unique of course! They have apple and orange on the table, with a knife next to it. Hanuta of course and a bottle of water with gas. They have a hot bottle for heating the bed, and they also have an umbrella by the wardrobe. I had a white rose on the pillow..........but unfortunately not much heat, which is OK, because I have the big square, soft German pillo, and the German comforter.đ
I've been on a daytrip today with Gisela and Wolfgang. We went to Quedlinburg. What a beautiful city. I imagined it a bit smaller. We went into a hotel, asked for some directions, and the concierge said, that many foreign visitors sleep at their Hotel. The wall board had photos of the ppl.who slept there. I looked at one particular photo, and recognized the Australian couple who posted on youtube the movie they made about Quedlinburg. So I said" this is the couple, who made me come to Quedlinburg.....and the concierge was very impressed that I recognized that couple from the photo. I'm moving to DE to live in Quedlinburg.đ We had excellent food for lunch. We took a tour with the little train and before returning to Neubruck we had gelato.
Things are changing in Euro pe. Monday going from Sopron Hungary, a s soon we crossed the border, police got on and ask ed for passports. OK, no biggie, but when we crossed from Austria into DE, German police got on the train again and asked to check passports.
Celle, a smaller regional city in Northern Germany was our target today. Of course yesterday was 22 C and today only 10 C. It was cold. Lucky for us ( me and my friend here).....we took refuge in coffee house and eat a pc.of cake and drink some sparkling water to wash it all off. On our return home I took the most beautiful sunset photos. đ Life is good in DE. Saturday moving on to Brugge Belgium.
Reception ordered taxi for 6:30 in the morning, showed me how to get out because front entrance door will be closed at that hr. From Lyon to Annecy 2 hrs. by train.......not a big trip. Hotel in Annecy is about 150 meters from train station also in the middle of town. I have waited 3 months to make it to Annesey, hope I will have a nice weather there.
Arrived in Annecy today! As soon I woke up this morning and looked out the window, of course blue skies and sunny in Lyon. It happens every place every time. Bad weather while I'm in a place, nice sunny on the day I'm leaving. From Lyon to Aix de Bains was so foggy, it was impossible to see beyond 50 meters. Unfortunately most of the fields in France are under water, lots of water. Must have rained a lot lately, plus the snow is melting in the Alps, because all the rivers we crossed are full to the brim many overflowing their banks. But on the other hand all the fields and pastures are beautiful green. The train stopped in Aix-le-Bains and Albans where the skies turned blue again and by the time we arrived in Annecy it was a beautiful v.warm day. My Hotel is really walking distance to the train station. My first priority was to take a nap, after arriving at the Hotel. Last night I couldn't sleep. Before a trip I always worry if I'm going to make it.....will I figure out where the train going to stop. Usually they post the time, the #of the train on the screen but what tracks is living from is posted only 20 minutes before departure or even less than that time. But today everything went smoothly. Since it was such a beautiful day after my nap In went out for a stroll. The lady at the reception told me that today is a festival ?????, Ppl.dress up in costumes and also wear Venetian masks. More like a "Mardi gras" festival. So this afternoon when I went out I had the occasion to see many such dressed up people and I managed to take their pictures too. Annecy is full of bars, Restaurants and even more stores. As I'm a glasses wearer I looked at the prices of frames.......450-600€ .......I think Argentina has my favorite frames for sure ( under or slightly over $100). So this is my first impression of Annecy. If weather is still nice tomorrow, I might take a boat ride on the lake!
Good morning from Annecy. It happened again, sunny blue skies yesterday, overcast today, and sprinkling. Oh well, I got most of the photos I wanted yesterday!. Going on a boat trip is not as important. B'fast here is very affordable, only 9€ and it was abundant too. Fresh baguettes, or there was a toaster for those who want their FRESH baguette toasted. Serrano ham or pressed ham, 4-6 diff. cheeses, 4-5 diff fruit, 4 diff cereals, coffee, milk, teas, croissant, soft boiled e
ggs, and several coffee cookies. Yogurt, juices what not, I usually don't take inventory just enlist what I choose to eat, but this morning I had to wait in line to get to the bread, so I had time to look around. The water was HOT in the shower this morning ( I guess Europe knows that hot water is necessary in the morning, not just lukewarm water as the water heaters are set in the states , prevention from lawsuits against them if someone gets scalded). Overall it is a ** Hotel, but I sure would give it at least ***. Very good price too $90/2 nights. If you in Annecy remember "Hotel du Nord".
Arrived Paris. The TGV was a bit not so fast this morning. Arrived 1 hr.late in Paris. There was a guy twice my size sitting next to me. I was sitting on the edge of my aisle seat because he was taking half of my seat. Anyway that extra hr.made me flustered. But I'm safe at my Hotel, arrived early, the consierge never told me to wait. I have a full size bed and a street view with balcony. And is just by Gare du L'Est......such the name of the Hotel Modern du L'Est
Took a 1 hr.nap.....when woke up went down the street and immediately found a mini mart, which had my "bubbly water" ( club soda as I know it back home). Got 2 huge 1.5 liter bottles total 2€. In the smaller cities, I get 330 ml for 2.5€. Upon leaving, I asked the man in charge about a boulangerie? he directed me by L, L, R. Found it, fresh out of the oven baguette for 1€. Prices are for sure cheaper in Paris. Competition, competition. This morning in Annecy, I got a "croque monsieur sandwich", but this was different than any other I ever had. The ham and cheese between the 2 slices of bread was as usual, but on the top had grated gruyere cheese, and was put under the broiler. It was crunchy and heavenly tasting, especially for the fact that I love gruyere cheese. I need to find a Restaurant nearby tomorrow to have a "french onion soup"
Left early morning....8:30 into town. Of course I took the metro in the opposite direction that I wanted to. No biggie got off the next station went out and back down to take the M in the opposite direction. I got the photos I wanted, but going ahead by the river Saine, I got tired so I found some benches on one of the bridges and sit to rest a bit. After that I wanted to go further up the sidewalk by the river, and all of a sudden I realized where I took the tour bus in 2001 the same little travel/tourism office still on the corner of the St. Michel plaza. By this time I was really tired, so I took the M back to the Hotel. Arriving back at Gare du l'Est before going back to my room, I stopped to get lunch at an Asian Restaurant called "Yummy". Take outs nicely packed, and fresh, because some were still warm. I had chosen my fav. Crispy duck over chow fun noodles. 6.90€ for 6 slices of crispy duck breast. Back home is not possible to get 2 slices of crispy duck breast for this money. I had a really good lunch today. Now charging my camera and updating my report on my travel, maybe taking a short nap before going out again this afternoon.
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