Vienna 31st July 14 - beauty without words...

31st July:

Vienna - yes !!! I managed to reach another place from the top of my to-go list, just below Macedonia (not geographically)…

I think this is one of the most beautiful cities I ever have been to !!! The magnificence of the monarchy is still vibrating throughout, mingling with artistic creativity and cosmopolitan vibrancy throughout the inner city.

The first discoveries were of course the Schönbrunn Palace, and with this a journey into the past, mostly into the life of Empress Sissi...

... well, for this one I had to choose the best angle according to the day-light direction...

... I shall not dedicate this photo to anyone special...

Budapest 30th July 14 - Mr Anonymous and me

30^th July:

Everyone keeps asking me, how I can live in London with it raining there all the time… I can only say that I got soaked twice a day since leaving London – luckily the sun dries it all very quickly afterwards…

Back in Transylvania, or not?

No, still in the centre of Budapest - however, this castle is the exact replicate (just a bit smaller) of the Vajdahunyad Castle in Transylvania - beautiful.

In the castle’s grounds, I met Mr Anonymous, who is KNOWN for writing Hungarian chronicles, he seems to be another soul-brother on this trip…

Budapest 28th July 14 - heavy metal musical notes...

28^thJuly : 

Budapest

Many things in live have a positive outcome or meaning, it often comes apparent a little, or unexpectedly much later…

Some good fruits of Magyarlapad, my rather dissatisfying music week, could be harvested about 2 weeks after: My new friend Aniko was waiting for me at Budapest train station, with a fresh coffee :-) 

I had met her in Magyarlapad - she had contributed gravely to safe my sanity there…

My first and last visit to Budapest is 21 years ago, and I really had likes the city then, so I'm really happy to be back! 

After settling into Aniko’s flat, what did we do?

Sightseeing, of course:

 History lessons:

But where is the music ??? No busking, no live music in bars or cafes, and we didn't really fancy the pretentious Gypsy music in the ‘traditional Hungarian Restaurants’ for tourists, where no real Hungar would ever go to… 

… here we go, I found the music, on the fence, at least the theory of it... 

Sighisoara 27th July 14 - the medieval festival surprise

27^th July: Sighisoara

The 3^rd city with ‘S’ on my trip - and yes, definitely lucky: 

I bumped into a medieval festival !

This destination was only put on my schedule after I decided to visit Budapest on my way from Transylvania to Munich, as there is a direct train from there. I had been in Sighisoara 10 years ago, and loved this little old town with the fortified church. It is a creative and lively place with just the right mixture of touristic and traditional features.

There was a big great market of partly pretentious-medieval goods and partly traditional folk art. Also Roma people had their stalls. Again, I tried to practice my Romani, and for some strange reasons they answered me back in Italian language, but they did reply to what I asked !!!

In the earlier day, I again was a bit disappointed by the lack of live music, however, later I got rewarded to full satisfaction: groups from Romania and around, performing a variety of oldish music, from traditional, to medieval, Balkan and Gothic, even one wind quartet performing pre-classical court music.

Right now I’m dreading a night on the train - I reserved only a seat, but I’m determined to pay the balance which will buy me a bed…

Sovata 26th July 14 - Kindness and Rudeness

26^thJuly:

People here in Transylvania are strange. I met some, who get out of their way big time to help you, whilst others are openly unfriendly, ignorant and rude. Nearly each time I went to the supermarket, people were pushing into the queue in front of me, or when watching some street art or similar, a tall and fat men pushes forward, planting himself down right in front of you - this seems to be the rule rather than the exception.

On the other hand, some people give you lots of their time and energy to call you cabs, walk with you to be sure you are on the right way, or like today, the people from my lovely place Vila Ursula, who offered to drive me to to Sighisoara, which is 1 1/2 hours drive one-way from here, and expecting nothing but a thank you !!!

Sovata 25th July 14 - Drakula and salted Tin Sardines

25^th July:

There are two main images I will carry away from Sovata:

1) Miniature Dracula castles on every corner

2) Tin-sardine people, the oil-type on the beach, and the brine-type in the water…

Also lots of rain… Floating on top of the salt water, getting showered on from the top by rain, whilst still the sun is shining on you, is actually quite a fascinating sensation…

Sovata 24th July 14 - Saltlake - hop hop hop

24^th July:

I’m so lucky ! In dire need of some holiday, I’m making my way to the next place with ‘S’: Sovata, a spa-town with a thermal salt lake and great walks. I was quite frustrated after realizing, that to travel there will take me 8 hours, and 5 changes, even if it is only 200km !!! 

In my desperation I digged deep into my resourcefulness and the www, and discovered a Romanian car sharing service, and a couple who drove on the right day, to the right hour along the right road !!!

Well, I arrived after 2 ½ hours travel in a Dracula Fairy tale place. On my first walk round heaven opened its gates and flooded the whole village - this topped the best London shower I have ever experienced - where is my sunshine !!!!