Budapest after 15 hours of travel.
Long distance travel whether by car or plane is usually the
same sort of mind and body numbing experience.
Yesterday’s was no different.
Some sleep on nine hour flight to Amsterdam made more tolerable by a
seat in an exit row and the exceptional service and amenities provided by
KLM. Everyone has their own experiences
with these things and am sure there are people out there with horror stories
about the Dutch airline, however, I am now, officially a fan.
Arrived at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam only to conclude
that we had spent all that time flying in a circle. The weather was doing a bang-on imitation of a
Vancouver fall day—grey, pissing down rain, and cold enhanced by a blustery
wind. Fortunately, didn’t have to go
outside, and there was a sprinkling of ubiquitous Starbucks throughout. Not a fan of chains of any kind—the only time
I allow myself into a McDonalds either in the city or in Europe is to use the
bathroom—however, a good old medium (refuse to use “Coffee-speak” that
Starbucks and other barista bullies insist on calling sizes. What the hell is wrong with “Small, medium
and large?”) mocha with half the chocolate (none of this “Half sweet” crap)
hits the spot in the middle of a 34 hour travel day.
Never been to The Netherlands before but could have guessed
where I was by simply counting the number of six foot blondes in the crowds.
Another delightful KLM flight to Ferihegy Airport. No blondes here. And no rain; 70 degrees and sparkling
sunshine. Cab ride into the city came
with a wonderfully lucid history lesson that castigated the Soviets and
gypsies, and enthused about the Hungarian people’s courage and wine.
No Starbucks either, “Hooray!” thought I. Should have known better. In a city famous for its classic cafes—look up
Alexandra Bookstore—these insidious bastards have gained a beachhead. But they won’t lure this cowboy in with their
tasty mocha frappucinnos© and orange lemon scones. Its white tablecloths and aproned waiters for
me.
Out for a walk last night along the Liszt Franz Ference
where it was possible to snuggle in amongst some locals at a little restaurant. Hungarian wine with characteristic full body
and hearty colour, along with a paprika and sausage stew.
Staying in the lovely, old Corinthia Hotel where in 1956 the
Soviet army laid siege to the rebel fighters and massacred them by shelling
this building. Amazing job done of
restoring it.
Wonder how Evolene is coping? And have not been able to figure out what is
behind Jason’s surprising and sudden interest in The Shoreline.
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