on the other side of the wall
i am presently in prague, with one day left before heading to budapest. i’m feeling about 300% more optimistic than when i wrote the last post. but before i get to that: what’s happened since then? well, after being ravaged by all the mosquitoes in milan, i flew and german railed my way to berlin.
berlin was fantastic. i got to meet the korean side of the family for the first time, which was wonderful. my second cousin soo-youn and my grand uncle and grant aunt were extremely gracious hosts, making me feel very at ease and welcome immediately. i couldn’t have had a better time — such a contrast from being sick and alone and wanting to go home. it was also the first time in six months that i’ve been in a car, which felt oddly unfamiliar after so long. i’m really looking forward to seeing them again in switzerland.
my time in prague has been unproductive, but relaxing — so not entirely wasted. i was wary after my experience in morocco, so i wasn’t sure what to expect from my first eastern european city. thankfully, it’s turned out to be very safe, clean and orderly. there’s a very good public transit, it’s affordable and of course, also gorgeous. the only thing it could do without is the throngs of tourists, crowded like vultures around every landmark, but then of course i’m not really being part of the solution. i shall put up some pictures soon. i’ve also heard good things about hungary, so i’m very much looking forward to that too.
italy looks to be the tricky part, as even in my short stay in milan i got to experience the frustration of italian disorganisation and slow-service. i waited in line for a bus ticket to the airport for 25 minutes (missing one bus) only to be told when i got to the counter that they didn’t take credit cards for airport bus tickets, despite having signage for major credit cards right on the service window! venice in particular seems ludicrously difficult and expensive to stay overnight, so i am looking into staying outside and making a day trip in. anyhow, we shall come to that problem as it needs resolving.
6 Comments, Comment or Ping
Elliott
Glad to hear you’re doing better. And that you got to meet your Korean family! Awesome.
Aug 19th, 2007
Birdman
Good to hear things are picking up .. oh and happy borgust! (ref. get this podcast, in case you were wondering)
Aug 20th, 2007
James
I wouldn’t really consider Berlin to be Eastern European, but if you want to be technical, I guess you could say at least half of it is. (By the way, nice Third Reich reference. “When in Berlin…” I suppose.)
And even though your state of homesickness changes like the mood of a pregnant woman, you are sorely missed here. There are too many cafe made espresso’s not being sent back. Blaine has tried to pick up the slack in your stead, but it’s just not done with the same disdain.
Looking forward to seeing your smiling/scowling face again.
Aug 21st, 2007
James
Ok, my bad, I misread your post. Prague, not Berlin.
Aug 21st, 2007
_linus
James, I will take that as a compliment. How was S’africa? When are you going to update your blog?
Aug 21st, 2007
James
That was definitely a complitement mate. There will be a week long celebration of Naked Coffee and Schlicks when you get back.
I haven’t gone to South Africa yet. I must have accidentally typed the wrong thing. I’m going in March next year, for two weeks. Speaking of which, I think I will end up getting a cannon, as their lenses, processor and sensor’s are the best. And information about the soon to be released 40D looks very promising.
Ahh yes, my blog. I’ve been contemplating giving it a major facelift as part of a resuscitation for it. I do want to start writing for it again, and I’m not short of material, I just need to set a schedule. But it will live again, I promise you.
Aug 21st, 2007
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