Three Countries in 11 Days





Prague!



Good evening from Budapest, yes again after I left this beautiful city for 11 days. I spent those days to visit Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia in a row. Thank God everything was Ok, the only problem I had was I lost one of my shirt. I had totally no idea where did I put it. Impossible if somebody stole it, hahaha.

 

Anyway, it such a great time for me to visit those countries. Day by day passed so fast. I didn't even pause to think what was the date or what was the day? the more important thing was check the temperature of the days and remember that the sun goes down at 4 pm.

 

On the first day, it was 27th of November we left Budapest heading to Bratislava, Slovakia. OMG, Me and my friend, Barbara almost lost the bus. We arrived in the bus station right five minutes before the bus leave. In Europe everything is on-time. If the ticket says at 7 am, it must be departure at 7 am. Not even a minute, really. At first this on-time habit was hard for me. In Indonesia it's very normal for passenger to wait the airplane over two hours from the schedule. Hahaha. Don't try to assume that the bus or plane will be late here. You'll ruin your trip plans.

Barbara, Phuong, and I

 

Okay, so we arrived in Bratislava around 9.00 am in the morning. It took only two and half hours from Budapest. Then we just walked to the city center and visited the Christmas market. We took some pictures on their landmarks and tried their typical treat. A bad thing happened to my friend. The thieves almost got her wallet. It's too bad, she lost her mood after that. So do I, I was feeling like let's get out from this place.


At St. Michael's Tower and Street

Primates Palace

St. Elizabeth's/ Blue Church

 

We left the market to visit the castle. It was nice. On the top of the palace I saw the city panorama and the river. We didn't spend many times there because we had to catch another bus to Prague.

UFO Observation Deck View  from The Castle

The Castle



We arrived in Prague at 10.40 pm. At the bus station, I changed some euro to Czech currency,  Korona Czech (KC) just only to buy the metro tickets. I changed more on the next day when I found a better rate place. One euro is about 27 KC. We took a metro and walked a bit to the hostel. We stayed at Chili hostel. It's located near the river and the dancing house. Closed to the city center.

 

Being a backpacker nowadays become a trend for the youth from all over the world. What is a backpacker? for me doesn't matter using a backpack or not, backpacker is people who want to travel with low budget and have many thought before go travels. I never thought that I'll be a part of this thing. Staying in hostels and sharing room with many people. It's very fun though, I can safe my money and make new friends from many countries. I think people who stay in hostels mostly students or people who just want to enjoy their life and worries nothing.

 

On the next day, me and Barbara started to explore the city early in the morning. We fringed the river and stopped at the dancing house. I had no idea why people called this building the dancing house. I didn't feel if the building danced at that time. I was so "bright". I came back at night time on my last day in Prague to make sure that this building could dance. LOL!

Do You See It?

Now I found the answer, Prague.net says that this building actually is an example of deconstructive architecture, women and man dancing together, holding their hands. The women skirt sways following the music. Got it, now I see it. Clap my head!

Prague is really a beautiful city. As many people do, we walked through Charles Bridge crossing the Vtlava river. This bridge is a symbol of Prague for years. The construction was started in reign Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor in 13th century. There're no vehicle allowed to pass this bridge so everybody was safe to walk on it. Besides of a throw-back in time views of 30 statues decorating the bridge, we could also enjoy some attraction of local artists.

The Castle View from The River

 

Charles Bridge and The Castle at Night

Me on The Charles Bridge

 

Local Artists Performs

 

By following the bridge heading to the castle we saw a very nice city view. I loved it. We stopped in some places to feel the moments. Prague was really incredible for me. Kind an old and romantic city. The people were also nice. My best friend asked me if it's true that Prague's guys are good looking? Hahaha.. hmm let me think, big yes obviously!

Anyway, the castle was very beautiful as well. I think every castle or palace in places I've visited are always on the top of the hill. Needed strong foot and deep breath all the way up. But the scenery from overlook places when you pause and magnificent castle itself will erase all the sweat. It was cold, the temperature was about 3 degrees Celsius. Cold outside and hot inside, what an unique sensation.

One of The View from The Castle

The castle has being a living legend of Prague for hundreds of years. A vast reconstruction held in 1920 after being fired, invasion, and even world war. Then since 1918 the castle has served the official residents for the president of Czech until now. No wonder this castle not only crowded with travelers but also government officers.

We walked down and stopped at John Lennon wall. Actually this wall just looked like any wall full with graffiti. But if we look back there's a long history behind. John Lennon is a pop legend and very popular in 1960s. His song and lyrics about peace and freedom had inspired many people at that time against communism. This wall was painted with John Lennon portrait and a symbol of peace. Many words of peace filled this wall and made it so colorful.

John Lennon's Wall

On the next day, we explored The Old Town and all the attraction closed to it. We visited The Astronomical Clock, Powder Tower, Synagogue, Cemetery, and so. OMG, there're so many architectural buildings scattered everywhere. I became careless of the map. It was just WOW.

On the evening, most of the market had opened. The Christmas tree was ready as well. A lot of travelers crowding the square. We even couldn't enter to the square because of the police bordered the entrance. It was a huge amount of people. The temperature became warmer a bit, hahaha.  The square was very interesting for me. Not only the market or the tree but also it had a kind of Christmas concert. They played Czech song with traditional instruments. The market sold so many things. Started with hot wine, typical treats, Christmas decorations, chocolate, candies, ginger bread, scarfs and gloves, jewels, and many more. I tried a kind of treat, Trdelnik or chimney cake. Actually this treat looked the same with Kurtoskalacs in Budapest. Well, tasted the same just different name.

Posing with The Astronomical Clock at The Old Town Square

Christmas Market

On the last day, we visited again the city center and bought some souvenirs. I bought postcards and shot glass. Yup, I'm collecting shot glass. It's easy to carry, small, and light. I'm too lazy to travels with so many stuff. My bad.

Oh ya, I tried another treat on that day. It was Langos. It was reminding me with "Cakue" or "Cakwe" in Indonesia, special treat from West Java. If Cakue looked like a stick and served with sour and spicy ketchup, Langos more likely a flat bread and full with topping on it. You can choose what kind of topping you want. Shredded cheese, sour cream, garlic paste, ketchup, chopped of bacon, pickles, or cabbage. It tasted good.

On the afternoon I had to say good bye to Barbara. It was sad. She planned to go to Italy and I intended to go to Krakow, Poland. We waved hands in the front of Charles Bridge.

I've booked a hostel in Krakow and a ticket transportation via studentagency.eu before. It was a good price. Owh yes the train was on-time, not even a minute. This time I've prepared so I was not in hurry. The train left Prague at 19.44 and arrived in Krakow at 05.45. This is one of the travelling strategy, I guess. Spending night at the bus or train so we don't need to spend money for hostels :).

Oh ya I want to talk about the trip to Krakow. So, when I got my seat on the train, a young good looking guy served the passenger with a bottle of water. I think in Indonesia this guy could become an artist because of how he looked like. It's true, I don't know why they are all look Ok. I felt like I was in a plane because he asked everybody what do we want to drink, coffee, tea, juice or anything else's. I asked for a hot honey mints drink. It was very good. On the table there was a menu list that you can choose. I was thinking about having dinner on the train. I'd been thinking about a piece of cheese cake and my favorite caesar salad for dinner. I was so surprised when the guy came in hold an iPad. Yes, he did check list every order using iPad. Apologize my countrified. Hahaha..

Honey Mints Drink

Shortly, I arrived in Krakow and stayed in One World Hostel. It's a very recommended hostel. They served free breakfast, clean rooms, and very closed to city center and bus station. Here in Krakow I had to change Euro to Poland currency, Polish Zloty (PLN). One euro is about four PLN. In the hostel accidentally I met two Brazilian guys, Francco and Gustavo. We shared the same room with another 10 people. Each of us never met before, so after short talks we planned to go to Auschwitz together on the next day. I was so lucky to met them.

Francco, Gustavo, and I

Talking about Auschwitz always brings me back to the dates when the camps were exist. Auschwitz concentration and extermination camps were established in 1940 by Nazi Germany during the world war II. It's located 37 KM from Krakow. It consists of two integral parts of the former camps, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. About 1.3 million people were killed in these deathly places. About 90% of them were Jewish and the rest were Poles, Gypsies, and Soviet prisoners of war. Majority they were killed in the gas chamber. The others were killed by disease infections, starvation, forced labor, medical experiments, and individual executions.

Auschwitz I

Pictures of Prisoners

I can't imagine it.

Nazi deported at least 1.3 million people for along 1940 - 1944 to Auschwitz. The train from countries occupied by Germany to Auschwitz arrived in a special railway ramp at Birkenau. At the unloading ramp, woman, child and man were separated. It was the last time they could see each other. Those who fit to work directed to the camp and the rest directed to the gas chamber :(. In order to avoid the panic, they were assured to take a bath for disinfection. On the way to the gas chamber they undressed themselves. About 2000 victims entered to the gas chamber without knowing that they will be die. The door chamber was locked and the poison, Cyklon B was poured to the chamber T_T. After 15-20 minutes the door was opened and the dead bodies were transported to the cremation room. The ashes then had been used for fertilizer. OMG!

Prisoner's Belongings

The Train to Transport the Prisoners

Those who fit to work than threat brutally. They had to work 11 hours a day and suffered by starvation. Majority of them could survive only for two or three months. The worst thing was they had to survive in winter time without blanket or warm clothes in the camp. They slept on the surface of the floor only wearing pajamas. The tour guide said that the temperature could be about -17 degrees Celsius.

The Bathroom and Toilets, No Privation

Auschwitz II-Birkenau

Thank God, it was over. On January 27 1945 the Soviet troops were liberated about 7000 remaining prisoners.  In 1947, Poland founded a museum on the site of Auschwitz I and II, and in 1979, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After visiting Auschwitz, we had a good time with having dinner and enjoy the city together. It was sad because on the next day I had to say good bye to Gustavo. He's going to Warsaw and I was going to Zakopane. Talking to many people gave me a new thought about enjoying life. I think it's not easy to find parents in Indonesia who allowed their children to travels abroad for a year and support their choice. You are so lucky man! just like Francco said, "enjoy life".

I went to Zakopane early in the morning on the next day. It took about two hours from Krakow to get there. Zakopane is a small city in southern Poland and became famous of the ski center. On the way, I was sleeping in the bus and when I woke up I was so surprised. Snow was everywhere. Hahaa. Zakopane is located at the foot of Tatra Mountain. That's why. I didn't think that I'll see the snow that early. So yes, the scenery was so beautiful in Zakopane.

Snowy!

The Views from  Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car

I was so stupid.

On the way from Krakow, Poland to Kosice, Slovakia I was terrible. I lost. The trip had to be about four hours but I spent about 16 hours trip to get there. I didn't find a direct bus from Krakow so I just chose the last seat on studentagency.eu to get there. I had to be not like that. I could go to Zakopane and found a bus or train from there because it's already close.

Oh yes, considering that the bus from Krakow to Kosice would have stopped in Czech Republic, I started to count my remaining KC coins. Yeaah, it was enough to buy some food. Thank Lord!

Finally, I arrived in Kosice. It was 4 am in the morning. It still weird for me why does Slovakia using euro where all of the border countries using their own currency. I don't understand.

Oh Sorry I Forgot  this Guy. Behind is St. Elizabeth Church

The Surface of the Lake Starts to Frozen

Entrance to the City Center

Immaculata

It was shiny bright like a diamond morning in Kosice. I walked to the city center after put my stuff in the hostel. Kosice city center wasn't that big like I thought before. There's an iconic Elizabeth church that's very eye catching. It's so beautiful. Oh ya.. I have friends live in Kosice, that's one of the reasons why I went there. There're Barnaba, Michal, Jaroslaw, and Aurelie. Many thanks for the companion.

On the second day in Kosice, I went to Bardejov. I had totally no plans to go there before. Just because I saw some pictures from Michal then I decided to go. It was totally worth it. OMG! It was perfect to end up my trip. Bardejov is a town in north-eastern Slovakia. The old town square was so incredible. Can't describe it better. In 2000 this town was selected as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its Jewish Suburbia and historic town center.

The View  from the Top of the Church

St. Egidius Church

 

The Stores

Now, I'm in Budapest again. I had a great time while travels to the places above. So many thought delivered in my head. But yeah people come and go in your life. We never know what life brings us ahead. Just enjoy the moments.