I am now on the train to Roma. It will arrive there at 12:45 pm. The time now is 8:05 am, i.e. about 4 1/2 hours to go.
I spent the last two days in Venezia. Having settled down in that expensive hotel Bellini, I went out to walk around. I did not really need to read the map because there were signs everywhere pointing to the Bridge Rialto and Piazza San Marco. I spent about 40 minutes, as the guidebook says, to walk from the hotel to San Marco. The streets and lanes were narrow and paved with stones. They were like a maze. It was somewhat amazing that people really lived there. Sometimes the streets smelled. The nearer I was to Rialto, the more crowded the streets became. When I finally reached the bridge, it was full of tourists, so crowded that I could hardly got on and across it. And Piazza San Marco was impossibly crowded too. People and pigeons were everywhere. It was about noon and the sun was getting fierce. It was impossible to take any picture without hundreds of people in it. So I chose to leave.
I returned to the station by ferry and then took a train to Verona. Verona was a normal place, i.e. not surrounded by so much water. There were roads and cars, thank God. And I felt normal there. It was not so infested with tourists so I could breathe and felt easier.
It was amazing that I did not need a map in Verona. In fact I did not even have the simplest map. I followed the guidebook's description and reached the old town. There it was impossible to miss the arena. I got in and climbed the steps to the top and then came back down. Then my thighs had a spasm, probably because of the steep steps. Then I followed crowds of tourists to the Juliet's House. The visitors raved about the statue of Juliet and hastened to take photos of/with it. I took a photo too. Then I just strolled along the streets, went into the shops to look around and then I left the town.
I had dinner at a restaurant near the hotel that night. The food was not good. But the price was not high either.
I left the hotel before 7 am the next morning and headed for San Marco again. The beautiful square, almost empty, was more beautiful in the early morning light. I took many pictures. Then I returned to the hotel to have breakfast. Then again I went to San Marco, by ferry this time. I visited the Cathedral and its treasury, which were not special. The I visited the Ducal Palace beside the Cathedral which was where the Government had been. The palace was quite beautiful. The view on the terrace facing the Canal was great, with the water reflecting the sunshine. The ceiling and walls of most of the rooms in the Palace were filled with paintings in golden frames. I also went through the Bridge of Signs, which has nothing inside. (By the way, I think the one in Cambridge is much more beautiful). I like the courtyard and the terrace of the Ducal Palace most.
The square, by the time I left the palace, was full of tourists. I ate a little and then proceeded to the Correr Museum opposite the Cathedral. The museum was OK. I was amazed by a globe made in the 1680's which had very detailed depiction of China on it. The coastlines and even the name of the places, like Hainan etc, were clearly marked on it. It seems to me that the Italian sailing technology was already quite advance at that time. I also like a set of antique jigsaw I saw in there.
I then had a hot chocolate at a cafe in the square. There was a good jazz performance and simply sitting there was quite a leisure, though I feared that the pigeons' feathers etc might just drop into the drinks. Of course the price for that cup of chocolate was horribly high, i.e. L13,000, about HKD70. But the music and the atmosphere were worth it.
Afterwards I returned to the hotel to wash my face. Then I decided to go to Padova, a nearby town, since there was nothing else to do in Venezia (I had no intention to visit the outlying islands). Padova was not so touristy. People lived and worked there. There were department stores, taller buildings. But since I arrived late, I couldn't get much information. And because it was not touristy, there were no crowds of tourists to follow. So I saw nothing and was lost in the streets. But I still felt quite good to leave Venezia for a while.
On my arrival in Italy, I heard a lady (a tourist) commented that the Italians should drop some zeros from their currency. I agree completely. I have problems in dealing with such huge amounts. Maybe Italians are all arithmetic genius.
It is now 9 am, 3 3/4 hours more to go. In comparison, the interior of German and French trains is better than that of the Italian ones.
Venezia was a beautiful place. But it was too special. I mean I needed to adapt to its uniqueness. And it was too touristy, too crowded. That made me feel uneasy.
I don't like the ferries of Venezia. They were slow and crowded. I preferred to walk. Walking in Venezia without referring to the map was not only possible, but could be quite interesting. Following the road signs I could somehow reach my destinations, which were always the major sights. The good thing about walking like this was that I could always walk on some streets which were new to me. But the bad thing was that I could not find the ways I had walked before or the shops I wanted to return to.
6.9.96
5.9.96
5.9.96 (Thu)
I am now in a restaurant near my hotel in Venezia waiting for my food. There is no way of knowing how the food is yet but the service is clearly not very good.
I arrived here early yesterday. The service of the EuroNight train was again as good as I had expected. Clean, comfortable, and breakfast included. It was worth the price.
I couldn't find a hotel here myself so I had to count on the Tourist Office. It has found for me a 3-star hotel at L180,000 per night (i.e. > HKD900) which is almost right next to the station. Maybe I appeared quite well-off. The staff at the Tourist Office asked me right away if I would take a 3-star one and I said yes for I did not want to wait. The hotel is good, with a grand bathroom with gold-coloured taps. But the room is at a wing which is being renovated so the corridors and the hall are dirty and noisy during the day. But the room itself is all right.
I arrived here early yesterday. The service of the EuroNight train was again as good as I had expected. Clean, comfortable, and breakfast included. It was worth the price.
I couldn't find a hotel here myself so I had to count on the Tourist Office. It has found for me a 3-star hotel at L180,000 per night (i.e. > HKD900) which is almost right next to the station. Maybe I appeared quite well-off. The staff at the Tourist Office asked me right away if I would take a 3-star one and I said yes for I did not want to wait. The hotel is good, with a grand bathroom with gold-coloured taps. But the room is at a wing which is being renovated so the corridors and the hall are dirty and noisy during the day. But the room itself is all right.
3.9.96
3.9.96 (Tue)
Finally, I am on the train leaving Budapest for Wien. It will depart within minutes. This is a very comfortable German train on which I used to travel in previous trips. Air-conditioned and roomy seats. How I love it. And I am glad that I'm leaving Budapest at last.
On the whole, the stay in Budapest was not a nice one. The weather was not good. There was thunderstorm at night and it rained during the day. Even now it is cloudy and gloomy.
I arrived in Budapest early on the first day. I left my luggage at the station and started touring around the major sights. Since it rained I was not really in the mood. But I liked the Hero Square quite a lot. The Buda Castle was just average and so was the city park. Then I checked in the hotel in the afternoon and went back to the station to get my luggage. Then I walked around again. It was then that I discovered that I had lost my camera. I now suspect that it was stolen at the station.
I started off late yesterday (the second day in Budapest) because I had not quite recovered from the shock of losing the camera. I kept telling myself that it was only a camera; it could have been my wallet or passport then it could be far far worse. I spent the rest of the morning searching for a new camera. There were not many choices, naturally. Nothing like Fortress or Broadway at the places I went to. What I wanted was a camera with built-in flash and zoom functions (actually, what I really wanted was exactly my same old one). What passed the criteria however did not seem attractive, or reliable, or priced reasonably. And the disposable ones were quite expensive with basic functions only. Plus, they would be bulky to carry. Finally I bought a very basic Kodak camera at 13,990ft, i.e. about HKD750. That way I can still use the films I've brought with me. I will buy a better one when I return to Hong Kong.
After the shopping, I felt much better because things seemed to have more or less returned to track. I hurried to the Hero Square again to take a few snaps. Then I went to the Castle Hill again. The Fisherman's Bastion was lovely. I took many photos there. What was more impressive was that what I first thought was music flowing out from the restaurants turned out to be violin played by a young man at the top of the Bastion. The music mixed so well with the view that it gave me such a romantic sensation that I considered it very reasonable to pay him. The rest of the Castle Hill was ordinary.
Then I took the cable car down the hill, took a tram, then a bus and then walked a distance to the Citadella, which turned out to be quite a disappointment. The fortress was not special, and the huge statue, though quite impressive because it was visible afar, was not beautiful at all. Well I know a beautiful statue when I see one. That one was obviously not. Plus, the weather was poor. When I came down, I bought some drinks in a supermarket. The queues at the cashiers were super-long and discouraging. For a purchase of around HKD5, I was in the line for about 20 minutes. I spent the time observing local people. One thing I could see was that they did not care much about the hygiene of their bread. They just put their huge pieces of bread inside the shopping baskets, with pieces of paper that could scarcely wrap the bread.
I then walked along the Danube river, the Chain Bridge and Vaci Utca again. I have never felt that Danube is a beautiful river. The rivers that run through Salzburg and Praha, and the Seine and the Cam rivers are beautiful. The Danube and the Rhine are not.
I then had dinner in a Pizza Hut on Vaci Utca. It was cheap. A spaghetti and a coke plus service charge were only 670ft, i.e. about HKD30. A man and a girl (both Asians) approached me at the Pizza Hut. The girl began with "sumimasen" and I instantly replied in Japanese that I was not a Japanese. The girl shut up at once. Then the man asked me in English if I was a Japanese living in Budapest because it would be good for the girl, a new student in Budapest, to have a friend from her own country. The man was from Hong Kong. And I explained to him in Cantonese that I could not help.
Then I returned to the hotel. When I was climbing the stairs from the metro to the street, I felt something touch my back. There were two men behind me. One of them obviously was trying to unzip my backpack. I was lucky that it was not easy because I was walking. But just when I turned to check what was going on, another man at the foot of the stairs shouted at them. Then they yelled at each other. People nearby watched. I think these two thieves had stolen something from that man or his pals and were discovered. What a mess with these thieves. I was frightened by strangers approaching me and so I ignored them, whoever they were. Once, these strangers turned out to be metro staff checking passengers' tickets.
I like Praha much more than Budapest. No. I like Praha. I don't like Budapest. I am so sorry that some of the pictures I took in Praha, especially those taken on the last night, were lost.
* * *
I am now in the restaurant in Wien Sudbahnhof. I have just had dinner here. The spaghetti was just average. But I want to stay here because there are still 1 1/2 hours to go before the departure of my train to Venezia.
Today was a wasted day. I had nothing to do here in Wien. I had seen everything I wanted to see last time. I just kept walking up and down between Karlsplatz and Stephansplatz, turning into the side streets from time to time. I spent about an hour standing in the British Book Shop reading. I was glad that I still remembered the way there. After the book shop, there was really nothing to do, so I just walked to and fro. My legs and feet almost fell off around 6 pm. I could walk no more at around 6:30 pm so I came to the station.
When I arrived at Wien Westbahnhof today, I met the Australians who had shared a train compartment with me from Berlin to Praha. They were going fine. Instead of taking a night train through Slovakia, they had taken a day train via Wien to Budapest. They liked Praha, just as I do, and they liked Budapest, too. I told them that I disliked Budapest for I had lost my camera there. They said they were sorry.
On the whole, the stay in Budapest was not a nice one. The weather was not good. There was thunderstorm at night and it rained during the day. Even now it is cloudy and gloomy.
I arrived in Budapest early on the first day. I left my luggage at the station and started touring around the major sights. Since it rained I was not really in the mood. But I liked the Hero Square quite a lot. The Buda Castle was just average and so was the city park. Then I checked in the hotel in the afternoon and went back to the station to get my luggage. Then I walked around again. It was then that I discovered that I had lost my camera. I now suspect that it was stolen at the station.
I started off late yesterday (the second day in Budapest) because I had not quite recovered from the shock of losing the camera. I kept telling myself that it was only a camera; it could have been my wallet or passport then it could be far far worse. I spent the rest of the morning searching for a new camera. There were not many choices, naturally. Nothing like Fortress or Broadway at the places I went to. What I wanted was a camera with built-in flash and zoom functions (actually, what I really wanted was exactly my same old one). What passed the criteria however did not seem attractive, or reliable, or priced reasonably. And the disposable ones were quite expensive with basic functions only. Plus, they would be bulky to carry. Finally I bought a very basic Kodak camera at 13,990ft, i.e. about HKD750. That way I can still use the films I've brought with me. I will buy a better one when I return to Hong Kong.
After the shopping, I felt much better because things seemed to have more or less returned to track. I hurried to the Hero Square again to take a few snaps. Then I went to the Castle Hill again. The Fisherman's Bastion was lovely. I took many photos there. What was more impressive was that what I first thought was music flowing out from the restaurants turned out to be violin played by a young man at the top of the Bastion. The music mixed so well with the view that it gave me such a romantic sensation that I considered it very reasonable to pay him. The rest of the Castle Hill was ordinary.
Then I took the cable car down the hill, took a tram, then a bus and then walked a distance to the Citadella, which turned out to be quite a disappointment. The fortress was not special, and the huge statue, though quite impressive because it was visible afar, was not beautiful at all. Well I know a beautiful statue when I see one. That one was obviously not. Plus, the weather was poor. When I came down, I bought some drinks in a supermarket. The queues at the cashiers were super-long and discouraging. For a purchase of around HKD5, I was in the line for about 20 minutes. I spent the time observing local people. One thing I could see was that they did not care much about the hygiene of their bread. They just put their huge pieces of bread inside the shopping baskets, with pieces of paper that could scarcely wrap the bread.
I then walked along the Danube river, the Chain Bridge and Vaci Utca again. I have never felt that Danube is a beautiful river. The rivers that run through Salzburg and Praha, and the Seine and the Cam rivers are beautiful. The Danube and the Rhine are not.
I then had dinner in a Pizza Hut on Vaci Utca. It was cheap. A spaghetti and a coke plus service charge were only 670ft, i.e. about HKD30. A man and a girl (both Asians) approached me at the Pizza Hut. The girl began with "sumimasen" and I instantly replied in Japanese that I was not a Japanese. The girl shut up at once. Then the man asked me in English if I was a Japanese living in Budapest because it would be good for the girl, a new student in Budapest, to have a friend from her own country. The man was from Hong Kong. And I explained to him in Cantonese that I could not help.
Then I returned to the hotel. When I was climbing the stairs from the metro to the street, I felt something touch my back. There were two men behind me. One of them obviously was trying to unzip my backpack. I was lucky that it was not easy because I was walking. But just when I turned to check what was going on, another man at the foot of the stairs shouted at them. Then they yelled at each other. People nearby watched. I think these two thieves had stolen something from that man or his pals and were discovered. What a mess with these thieves. I was frightened by strangers approaching me and so I ignored them, whoever they were. Once, these strangers turned out to be metro staff checking passengers' tickets.
I like Praha much more than Budapest. No. I like Praha. I don't like Budapest. I am so sorry that some of the pictures I took in Praha, especially those taken on the last night, were lost.
* * *
I am now in the restaurant in Wien Sudbahnhof. I have just had dinner here. The spaghetti was just average. But I want to stay here because there are still 1 1/2 hours to go before the departure of my train to Venezia.
Today was a wasted day. I had nothing to do here in Wien. I had seen everything I wanted to see last time. I just kept walking up and down between Karlsplatz and Stephansplatz, turning into the side streets from time to time. I spent about an hour standing in the British Book Shop reading. I was glad that I still remembered the way there. After the book shop, there was really nothing to do, so I just walked to and fro. My legs and feet almost fell off around 6 pm. I could walk no more at around 6:30 pm so I came to the station.
When I arrived at Wien Westbahnhof today, I met the Australians who had shared a train compartment with me from Berlin to Praha. They were going fine. Instead of taking a night train through Slovakia, they had taken a day train via Wien to Budapest. They liked Praha, just as I do, and they liked Budapest, too. I told them that I disliked Budapest for I had lost my camera there. They said they were sorry.
1.9.96
1.9.96 (Sun)
I am now in the hotel in Budapest and am very unhappy because I have lost my camera. Only God knows why and when and where and how it was stolen. I have kept all my valuables very close to myself but still. Maybe I should keep them even closer, next to the skin.
But right from the beginning, I don't like this place. It is not really beautiful. The weather is not good. And it is a Sunday, i.e. the city seems dead today. Just this afternoon, two men cornered me inside the metro train. I found it strange that they jammed me to the door so hard when the other parts of the train did not seem really crowded, not realizing that they were pickpockets. I tried to get away but found it quite impossible. Afterwards, a passenger told me that my backpack was opened. Obviously, those two thieves cornered me so that I could not move, opened the bag, examined the content, but found nothing of value, just a novel and a notebook. The funny thing was that the purse in which I keep my cosmetics was also opened. They must have thought that there was money inside.
But of course it is not funny now. One of those thieves out there finally got my camera. And I only have myself to blame. What should I do now?
I dislike this place so much that I have changed my plan. Instead of staying for three days, I will leave on the third day for Wien. That night I'll take a night train to Venezia. Wien is not in my plan but I must leave here earlier. I have originally booked a sleeper on a direct train from Budapest to Venezia. The price was about HKD300. But then I considered it unsafe to travel alone on a Hungarian train for about 16 hours. So I changed my plan. The night train from Wien is a EuroNight train of very high quality. And I will have a single room. But it is expensive, about HKD1,380. But safety and comfort always take money.
Now, about yesterday.
Despite a lousy morning in Kutna Hora, I had a splendid afternoon. The musical Jesus Christ Superstar was good. I won't say it has shocked me but I like it very much. Since I didn't know the language, I concentrated on the music and the stage effects. The music was quite good. The effects were moving. The "Hosanna" scene made me feel why the Romans were afraid of JC gathering the Jews. And the scene of the 39 lashes was very powerful, breath-taking and heart-breaking. (Why 39? Is it recorded in the Scripture?) The actor playing JC was good but Judas' performance was weaker. But on the whole I like the show. I might like it more if it had been in English.
Then I had a dinner at a small restaurant introduced in the Lonely Planet. The food was really nothing special but its menu was in many languages including English (so at least I knew what I was ordering). And the food was cheap. An a la carte main dish ranged from 70kcs to 100kcs. It was cheap even if it were in HKD.
After the meal, I walked from V. Nam. to the Old Town Square and then Charles Bridge. It was very beautiful at night. When I arrived at Charles Bridge, my first thought was, "Is it possible... to be so beautiful?" There were enough people there making me feel safe but not overcrowded. And I enjoyed some good music free at the Old Town Square.
The trip to Budapest was not so smooth. First, I could not open the locker storing my backpack. Then when I boarded the train, I was told that I did not have a ticket though I had bought a sleeper reservation ticket. I had to rush to the ticket office to buy the train ticket, carrying all my luggage all the way. Then I did not have enough kcs for the ticket and had to draw a cash advance using my MasterCard (I forgot about the interest charged). Because of the weight of my luggage, the running and the frustration, I was a mess sweating and panting when I was at last allowed to get on the train.
I shared a compartment with a Slovakian lady. We chatted a little. Then because she said good night and slept, I had to turn off the light and slept too so as not to disturb her. But it was good to lie down and rest after all the hustle and bustle. And I did have some broken sleep. My companion was sound asleep. And I knew how "sound" her sleep was. But our sleep was disturbed first by the Czech border police, then the Czech custom, then twice by the Slovakian border police, then the Hungarian border police.
But right from the beginning, I don't like this place. It is not really beautiful. The weather is not good. And it is a Sunday, i.e. the city seems dead today. Just this afternoon, two men cornered me inside the metro train. I found it strange that they jammed me to the door so hard when the other parts of the train did not seem really crowded, not realizing that they were pickpockets. I tried to get away but found it quite impossible. Afterwards, a passenger told me that my backpack was opened. Obviously, those two thieves cornered me so that I could not move, opened the bag, examined the content, but found nothing of value, just a novel and a notebook. The funny thing was that the purse in which I keep my cosmetics was also opened. They must have thought that there was money inside.
But of course it is not funny now. One of those thieves out there finally got my camera. And I only have myself to blame. What should I do now?
I dislike this place so much that I have changed my plan. Instead of staying for three days, I will leave on the third day for Wien. That night I'll take a night train to Venezia. Wien is not in my plan but I must leave here earlier. I have originally booked a sleeper on a direct train from Budapest to Venezia. The price was about HKD300. But then I considered it unsafe to travel alone on a Hungarian train for about 16 hours. So I changed my plan. The night train from Wien is a EuroNight train of very high quality. And I will have a single room. But it is expensive, about HKD1,380. But safety and comfort always take money.
Now, about yesterday.
Despite a lousy morning in Kutna Hora, I had a splendid afternoon. The musical Jesus Christ Superstar was good. I won't say it has shocked me but I like it very much. Since I didn't know the language, I concentrated on the music and the stage effects. The music was quite good. The effects were moving. The "Hosanna" scene made me feel why the Romans were afraid of JC gathering the Jews. And the scene of the 39 lashes was very powerful, breath-taking and heart-breaking. (Why 39? Is it recorded in the Scripture?) The actor playing JC was good but Judas' performance was weaker. But on the whole I like the show. I might like it more if it had been in English.
Then I had a dinner at a small restaurant introduced in the Lonely Planet. The food was really nothing special but its menu was in many languages including English (so at least I knew what I was ordering). And the food was cheap. An a la carte main dish ranged from 70kcs to 100kcs. It was cheap even if it were in HKD.
After the meal, I walked from V. Nam. to the Old Town Square and then Charles Bridge. It was very beautiful at night. When I arrived at Charles Bridge, my first thought was, "Is it possible... to be so beautiful?" There were enough people there making me feel safe but not overcrowded. And I enjoyed some good music free at the Old Town Square.
The trip to Budapest was not so smooth. First, I could not open the locker storing my backpack. Then when I boarded the train, I was told that I did not have a ticket though I had bought a sleeper reservation ticket. I had to rush to the ticket office to buy the train ticket, carrying all my luggage all the way. Then I did not have enough kcs for the ticket and had to draw a cash advance using my MasterCard (I forgot about the interest charged). Because of the weight of my luggage, the running and the frustration, I was a mess sweating and panting when I was at last allowed to get on the train.
I shared a compartment with a Slovakian lady. We chatted a little. Then because she said good night and slept, I had to turn off the light and slept too so as not to disturb her. But it was good to lie down and rest after all the hustle and bustle. And I did have some broken sleep. My companion was sound asleep. And I knew how "sound" her sleep was. But our sleep was disturbed first by the Czech border police, then the Czech custom, then twice by the Slovakian border police, then the Hungarian border police.
31.8.96
31.8.96 (Sat)
I am now on a train at the Central Station in Praha, which is about to depart for Kolin, where I shall take another train to Kutna Hora.
Now, the last two days.
On Thursday, I took the train from Berlin to Praha. A trio, from Australia I think, shared the compartment with me. First we did not converse. But then the lady (I think they were elderly parents and an adult son) asked me if I had a map of Praha because she wanted to look up where their hostel was. They studied my map for quite a while but could not find its exact location. I don't think they were very smart. Then we were about to cross the border. Three groups in uniform boarded the train: German border police, Czech border police and Czech railway staff. My passport was, as usual, not without problem. The German border police found that I did not have a stamp on my visa showing my entry into Germany. It was really not my fault. The staff at Tegal Airport just had not stamped it. Maybe they had thought that mine was an EU passport. Anyway, the real problem now was the train tickets. The Australian trio, despite the additional DM70 something per person they had paid for the journey, was each charged yet an additional amount. They argued, the railway staff explained, but they couldn't agree with each other. But of course they paid at last. I was also asked to pay an additional DM23 on top of the DM12 supplement I had already paid. I paid it without arguing. At the end I had paid much less than the Australians. They were so very annoyed for being charged so much. DM70x3 was more than HKD1,000, not a small sum. Then we chatted a little. When I said that the train from Praha to Budapest, where they planned to go, would go through Slovakia, they were shocked. It seemed that I had dropped a bomb because they didn't have that visa. They thought the train would go through Wien. Poor people. But I think this is a common misunderstanding. I had only found out that just before my trip.
On arrival in Praha, I was so efficient that I exchanged money, bought a phone card and a tourist pass and got to the hotel within an hour. Super. That was the result of experience and planning.
Then I planned to just walk around the place, going nowhere in particular. It seemed to me that almost everywhere here was within walking distance. It was actually quite convenient. I strolled along V. Nam., walked through the old town, got across the Charles Bridge, and saw LEE Wing-tat in the old town. What a small world. The old town was really beautiful. Then I returned to the not-so-comfortable hotel.
I started early the next day. Following the guide of the Lonely Planet, I arrived at the Castle District around 8 am. The streets were quiet. The air was cool. And there was mist down the hill. It was truly beautiful. I took many pictures there.
It was stupid of me to be a little frightened when I went past the two guards into the Castle because it was not yet the opening time. But nothing happened. I had finished walking around the place once before 9 am. Then I bought a ticket and went inside each sight. The St Vitus’ Cathedral was OK. The St George Church was a disappointment. The Old Royal Palace was a scary experience. I was let in and then the door was closed "bang" behind me. In front of me was a big empty hall. No furniture, no paintings, no decoration and nobody in there. Just an ugly, worn-out hall with worn-out wooden floor. Thank God there was sunshine or I would be scared to death. The other parts of the palace were equally scary and unattractive. I kept praying that there would not be any skeletons or tombs or crypts inside. There was hardly anyone in there, just two very quiet Japanese girls other than me. The air was stale and smelly because there were no windows (or they were shut). And when I followed the sign to the exit, I just got in yet another and then another empty room. Scary. When I finally left the place I had cold sweat all over me.
Then I left the Castle and walked to the Lessor Town. The Castle was not as grand as I had expected. But the Lesser Town was truly even less attractive. But I was lucky enough to get into a garden with a beautiful Roman building.
For the rest of the day, I just walked around. I tried to check the bus schedule to Kutna Hora but failed. So instead I bought a train ticket for today. But the time is not good. I'll only have about 2 1/2 hours for the place as I need to rush back to Praha for the 4 pm show of Jesus Christ Superstar. The show is in Czech language but since I have listened to the CDs I think I know the music and the story well enough. I hope I'll like it. I hope I'll be shocked.
Tonight I'm going to take a night train to Budapest. There is only one sort of sleeper compartment which had three beds inside. I have no choice. But as there is the word "Frau" on my ticket, which means female or lady in German, I hope the two other passengers sharing my compartment are ladies. I hope I"ll arrive in Budapest safe and whole. Ha!
* * *
I am now at the railway station at Kutna Hora. My trip here has been a total failure. A horror.
I got on a bus following the others on my arrival here. I asked the driver if the bus went to the old town, showing him my simple map, and he nodded. On the same bus were half a dozen other tourists, all including me going to the centre. But when the bus arrived at its terminus, we were still aboard, not knowing that it was already way past the centre. Some Americans protested and the driver was so kind, strangely, to start the bus again and dropped down all these troublesome tourists at a road leading to the centre.
Then we walked on. I didn't want to follow the others or be followed so I fell out of the way. Without a detailed map, losing my way was only to be expected. Having spent some ten minutes in all those alleys and streets finding my way and reading incomprehensible street names, I decided to leave the town. But it was again difficult to find the way back to the railway station. Plus I had to walk back there. I was not totally sure if I was on the right road. Luckily I met a Czech girl who appeared, to me, to be heading for the station. I asked her the way but could not understand her reply. Since we could not communicate, I just followed her. And she led me back to the station, after about 30 minutes' walk, that is.
Infrequent train connections, inconvenient location and it was a Saturday. These has made this trip a failure. This journey was similar to my previous trips to Leuven (Belgium, it rained so I left at once) and Colmar (France, no map, could not find my way). Having written so much, the train to Kolin, where I'll take another train back to Praha, still will not be here in about 20 minutes. I have wasted a whole morning and part of the afternoon on this futile trip.
Now, the last two days.
On Thursday, I took the train from Berlin to Praha. A trio, from Australia I think, shared the compartment with me. First we did not converse. But then the lady (I think they were elderly parents and an adult son) asked me if I had a map of Praha because she wanted to look up where their hostel was. They studied my map for quite a while but could not find its exact location. I don't think they were very smart. Then we were about to cross the border. Three groups in uniform boarded the train: German border police, Czech border police and Czech railway staff. My passport was, as usual, not without problem. The German border police found that I did not have a stamp on my visa showing my entry into Germany. It was really not my fault. The staff at Tegal Airport just had not stamped it. Maybe they had thought that mine was an EU passport. Anyway, the real problem now was the train tickets. The Australian trio, despite the additional DM70 something per person they had paid for the journey, was each charged yet an additional amount. They argued, the railway staff explained, but they couldn't agree with each other. But of course they paid at last. I was also asked to pay an additional DM23 on top of the DM12 supplement I had already paid. I paid it without arguing. At the end I had paid much less than the Australians. They were so very annoyed for being charged so much. DM70x3 was more than HKD1,000, not a small sum. Then we chatted a little. When I said that the train from Praha to Budapest, where they planned to go, would go through Slovakia, they were shocked. It seemed that I had dropped a bomb because they didn't have that visa. They thought the train would go through Wien. Poor people. But I think this is a common misunderstanding. I had only found out that just before my trip.
On arrival in Praha, I was so efficient that I exchanged money, bought a phone card and a tourist pass and got to the hotel within an hour. Super. That was the result of experience and planning.
Then I planned to just walk around the place, going nowhere in particular. It seemed to me that almost everywhere here was within walking distance. It was actually quite convenient. I strolled along V. Nam., walked through the old town, got across the Charles Bridge, and saw LEE Wing-tat in the old town. What a small world. The old town was really beautiful. Then I returned to the not-so-comfortable hotel.
I started early the next day. Following the guide of the Lonely Planet, I arrived at the Castle District around 8 am. The streets were quiet. The air was cool. And there was mist down the hill. It was truly beautiful. I took many pictures there.
It was stupid of me to be a little frightened when I went past the two guards into the Castle because it was not yet the opening time. But nothing happened. I had finished walking around the place once before 9 am. Then I bought a ticket and went inside each sight. The St Vitus’ Cathedral was OK. The St George Church was a disappointment. The Old Royal Palace was a scary experience. I was let in and then the door was closed "bang" behind me. In front of me was a big empty hall. No furniture, no paintings, no decoration and nobody in there. Just an ugly, worn-out hall with worn-out wooden floor. Thank God there was sunshine or I would be scared to death. The other parts of the palace were equally scary and unattractive. I kept praying that there would not be any skeletons or tombs or crypts inside. There was hardly anyone in there, just two very quiet Japanese girls other than me. The air was stale and smelly because there were no windows (or they were shut). And when I followed the sign to the exit, I just got in yet another and then another empty room. Scary. When I finally left the place I had cold sweat all over me.
Then I left the Castle and walked to the Lessor Town. The Castle was not as grand as I had expected. But the Lesser Town was truly even less attractive. But I was lucky enough to get into a garden with a beautiful Roman building.
For the rest of the day, I just walked around. I tried to check the bus schedule to Kutna Hora but failed. So instead I bought a train ticket for today. But the time is not good. I'll only have about 2 1/2 hours for the place as I need to rush back to Praha for the 4 pm show of Jesus Christ Superstar. The show is in Czech language but since I have listened to the CDs I think I know the music and the story well enough. I hope I'll like it. I hope I'll be shocked.
Tonight I'm going to take a night train to Budapest. There is only one sort of sleeper compartment which had three beds inside. I have no choice. But as there is the word "Frau" on my ticket, which means female or lady in German, I hope the two other passengers sharing my compartment are ladies. I hope I"ll arrive in Budapest safe and whole. Ha!
* * *
I am now at the railway station at Kutna Hora. My trip here has been a total failure. A horror.
I got on a bus following the others on my arrival here. I asked the driver if the bus went to the old town, showing him my simple map, and he nodded. On the same bus were half a dozen other tourists, all including me going to the centre. But when the bus arrived at its terminus, we were still aboard, not knowing that it was already way past the centre. Some Americans protested and the driver was so kind, strangely, to start the bus again and dropped down all these troublesome tourists at a road leading to the centre.
Then we walked on. I didn't want to follow the others or be followed so I fell out of the way. Without a detailed map, losing my way was only to be expected. Having spent some ten minutes in all those alleys and streets finding my way and reading incomprehensible street names, I decided to leave the town. But it was again difficult to find the way back to the railway station. Plus I had to walk back there. I was not totally sure if I was on the right road. Luckily I met a Czech girl who appeared, to me, to be heading for the station. I asked her the way but could not understand her reply. Since we could not communicate, I just followed her. And she led me back to the station, after about 30 minutes' walk, that is.
Infrequent train connections, inconvenient location and it was a Saturday. These has made this trip a failure. This journey was similar to my previous trips to Leuven (Belgium, it rained so I left at once) and Colmar (France, no map, could not find my way). Having written so much, the train to Kolin, where I'll take another train back to Praha, still will not be here in about 20 minutes. I have wasted a whole morning and part of the afternoon on this futile trip.
30.8.96
30.8.96 (Fri)
It is not yet 6 am and I am of course in the hotel. This Hotel Junior Praha is quite a run down hostel. The furniture is worn out and I don't think the bed sheet, blanket, pillow and towels are very clean. It just does not feel clean. It simply can't be compared with the great big hotel in Berlin. But of course I pay much less here.
My room is on the first floor facing the street. There is an ugly terrace outside but it is shared by another room, so I keep it locked.
When I was in Berlin, I kept thinking of going back to the hotel. Now, I feel like going out very much. This is the difference.
The lady at the reception of this hotel was very business-like. She made me feel that this was after all an ex-communist country. She was stone-faced and spoke only when she absolutely had to. And she took my passport when I checked in here. I must remember to get it back when I leave.
My room is on the first floor facing the street. There is an ugly terrace outside but it is shared by another room, so I keep it locked.
When I was in Berlin, I kept thinking of going back to the hotel. Now, I feel like going out very much. This is the difference.
The lady at the reception of this hotel was very business-like. She made me feel that this was after all an ex-communist country. She was stone-faced and spoke only when she absolutely had to. And she took my passport when I checked in here. I must remember to get it back when I leave.
29.8.96
29.8.96 (Thu)
I am now on the train to Praha. It will arrive there at around 1:30 pm. The weather is fine today. Cool with sunshine.
Yesterday was not a very good day for me. It was cloudy and it finally started raining around 6 pm.
First I went to Charlottenburg Palace. It was quite an ordinary palace. Not really impressive. I did not go in there, which housed several museums now. Instead I took a walk in the garden at the back of the palace. It was big, but not as big as the ones of Versailles or Sansouci. And it was not impressive. Many smaller trees (or maybe bushes) were planted in pots, not in the soil. I don't like them.
Then I took a bus to Bahnhof Zoo and then Bus 100 again. I thought it was a circular route and intended to finish the rest of the route (I jumped off at Alexanderplatz on Tuesday). But it was not a circular route. It took me to the far east end of East Berlin, with ugly apartment buildings and streetcars (trams) that don't run in the west side. I then checked one of my guidebooks and voila : Bahnhof Zoo was the start and end of Bus 100. I had to take another bus back to Bahnhof Zoo again.
Then I strolled along Kustferstrass, the busy shopping streets. It was OK. Nothing special. I went into the Kadewe Department Store, trying to find something for lunch on the 6th floor, but left soon with an empty stomach because I did not know how to order. I ended up having lunch in Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Then it was the Dahlem Museum. I thought it was in the east at the Museum Island so I took the U-Bahn heading east. But mid-way I found out from the map that it was actually in the west, quite far away from the centre. So I had to change to another U-Bahn line.
The museum was all right. It was quite quiet inside, no crowds, no tourists (except me). I think I visited only one of the many Dahlem Museums. The exhibits inside were not really interesting to me. What makes it even less attractive is that, unlike the Louvre, it is a modern concrete building, like one in a university (and I think it is). I don't think anything can compare to the Louvre. (p.s. But then I've found that there are other excellent museums, like the Ducal Palace in Venezia, the Uffizi in Firenze and the Vatican Museum in Roma.)
After Dahlem, I went back to Alexanderplatz. I tried to buy something for dinner but failed. I was so tired that I got back to the hotel and slept for about an hour. My feet (the blisters) hurt. When I woke up it was already too late for shopping. The only choice was the Burger King downstairs. So I had a salad there and an ice-cream next door. It was good to have a salad. I've been eating too much and too well lately.
Is it not a pity that I don't like Berlin. I spent three days there but still I don't like the place. I can't describe why. The atmosphere was cold (though the weather was not), the city was not beautiful (maybe all the beautiful things had been bombed), and the people were not particularly nice ( the people in Amsterdam and Wien were). But it was a convenient place with easy transport. Nobody ever checked anybody if he had a ticket.
I hope very much I'll like Praha, despite all the difficulties I could imagine. I hope I'll fall in love with the place. Well I always hope that I'll fall in love.
I feel much better on a train. Being on a train makes me feel that I am really travelling. And it feels good.
One more thing. I went to the train station early this morning to validate my Eurailpass. The lady at the counter simply pressed a chop on the pass and did not bother to fill in what was required on it. So I did it myself afterwards, ha ha ha.
Yesterday was not a very good day for me. It was cloudy and it finally started raining around 6 pm.
First I went to Charlottenburg Palace. It was quite an ordinary palace. Not really impressive. I did not go in there, which housed several museums now. Instead I took a walk in the garden at the back of the palace. It was big, but not as big as the ones of Versailles or Sansouci. And it was not impressive. Many smaller trees (or maybe bushes) were planted in pots, not in the soil. I don't like them.
Then I took a bus to Bahnhof Zoo and then Bus 100 again. I thought it was a circular route and intended to finish the rest of the route (I jumped off at Alexanderplatz on Tuesday). But it was not a circular route. It took me to the far east end of East Berlin, with ugly apartment buildings and streetcars (trams) that don't run in the west side. I then checked one of my guidebooks and voila : Bahnhof Zoo was the start and end of Bus 100. I had to take another bus back to Bahnhof Zoo again.
Then I strolled along Kustferstrass, the busy shopping streets. It was OK. Nothing special. I went into the Kadewe Department Store, trying to find something for lunch on the 6th floor, but left soon with an empty stomach because I did not know how to order. I ended up having lunch in Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Then it was the Dahlem Museum. I thought it was in the east at the Museum Island so I took the U-Bahn heading east. But mid-way I found out from the map that it was actually in the west, quite far away from the centre. So I had to change to another U-Bahn line.
The museum was all right. It was quite quiet inside, no crowds, no tourists (except me). I think I visited only one of the many Dahlem Museums. The exhibits inside were not really interesting to me. What makes it even less attractive is that, unlike the Louvre, it is a modern concrete building, like one in a university (and I think it is). I don't think anything can compare to the Louvre. (p.s. But then I've found that there are other excellent museums, like the Ducal Palace in Venezia, the Uffizi in Firenze and the Vatican Museum in Roma.)
After Dahlem, I went back to Alexanderplatz. I tried to buy something for dinner but failed. I was so tired that I got back to the hotel and slept for about an hour. My feet (the blisters) hurt. When I woke up it was already too late for shopping. The only choice was the Burger King downstairs. So I had a salad there and an ice-cream next door. It was good to have a salad. I've been eating too much and too well lately.
Is it not a pity that I don't like Berlin. I spent three days there but still I don't like the place. I can't describe why. The atmosphere was cold (though the weather was not), the city was not beautiful (maybe all the beautiful things had been bombed), and the people were not particularly nice ( the people in Amsterdam and Wien were). But it was a convenient place with easy transport. Nobody ever checked anybody if he had a ticket.
I hope very much I'll like Praha, despite all the difficulties I could imagine. I hope I'll fall in love with the place. Well I always hope that I'll fall in love.
I feel much better on a train. Being on a train makes me feel that I am really travelling. And it feels good.
One more thing. I went to the train station early this morning to validate my Eurailpass. The lady at the counter simply pressed a chop on the pass and did not bother to fill in what was required on it. So I did it myself afterwards, ha ha ha.
28.8.96
28.8.96 (Wed)
I am, again, having breakfast now.
My eye is much, much better now. So I guess the inflammation was caused by not enough sleep.
I went to Potsdam early yesterday morning. The map I bought there was difficult to read but I managed to get to the Sansouci Park somehow. The tram stopped at a place near one of the entrances to the Park, but it was not visible. So I had to spend some time to look for the way to get in. The park was huge. I met a man inside who asked me if I knew how to go to the Sansouci Palace. So I was not the only one who found it very difficult to locate the palaces in such a large park. I did not have a map of the park so I just followed the other tourists. Luckily I could find the New Palace, the Orange Palace and the Sansouci Palace.
The big park was quite beautiful. I appreciated the flowers, the lawn and the trees, which were very tall and seemed quite old. I however did not go inside the palaces. I just did not feel like it. Maybe I was tired and had no intention of prolonging the visit. I walked too much. I would not have so much exercise in one whole week if I were in Hong Kong. Well, it turned out that there was a blister on one toe of each foot, and they hurt.
I then visited the zoo. It was OK. Large, with lots of animals, of course. What I liked most was the wild cats. They looked exactly like big cats but had fur like leopards'. And I like the giraffes too. The aquarium however was a disappointment, though the jelly fishes and coral were quite impressive.
I also went to the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. It was like some modern art gallery. I didn't like it much. But I got in without paying the fee because I got in from the exit, not the entrance (without knowing it at the time of course).
I tried to book hotels in Praha and Budapest. The hotels in Praha I chose from the guidebooks were full. I think I had made about four or five calls before I finally found one. It was called Junior Hotel Praha. It costs 1200kcs per night and I hope it is good. It was much easier for Budapest. One call and that was it, though I will have to take a double room.
At night, I went to Brandenburger Tor again, just to take some pictures. Unlike the Arc de Triomph, it was quiet around there. Actually, Unter der Linden was nothing compared to Champs Elysees.
And the TV Tower was another disappointment. I paid the DM8 fee, got in, took the elevator to the panorama terrace and got out in no more than ten minutes. Alas.
My eye is much, much better now. So I guess the inflammation was caused by not enough sleep.
I went to Potsdam early yesterday morning. The map I bought there was difficult to read but I managed to get to the Sansouci Park somehow. The tram stopped at a place near one of the entrances to the Park, but it was not visible. So I had to spend some time to look for the way to get in. The park was huge. I met a man inside who asked me if I knew how to go to the Sansouci Palace. So I was not the only one who found it very difficult to locate the palaces in such a large park. I did not have a map of the park so I just followed the other tourists. Luckily I could find the New Palace, the Orange Palace and the Sansouci Palace.
The big park was quite beautiful. I appreciated the flowers, the lawn and the trees, which were very tall and seemed quite old. I however did not go inside the palaces. I just did not feel like it. Maybe I was tired and had no intention of prolonging the visit. I walked too much. I would not have so much exercise in one whole week if I were in Hong Kong. Well, it turned out that there was a blister on one toe of each foot, and they hurt.
I then visited the zoo. It was OK. Large, with lots of animals, of course. What I liked most was the wild cats. They looked exactly like big cats but had fur like leopards'. And I like the giraffes too. The aquarium however was a disappointment, though the jelly fishes and coral were quite impressive.
I also went to the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. It was like some modern art gallery. I didn't like it much. But I got in without paying the fee because I got in from the exit, not the entrance (without knowing it at the time of course).
I tried to book hotels in Praha and Budapest. The hotels in Praha I chose from the guidebooks were full. I think I had made about four or five calls before I finally found one. It was called Junior Hotel Praha. It costs 1200kcs per night and I hope it is good. It was much easier for Budapest. One call and that was it, though I will have to take a double room.
At night, I went to Brandenburger Tor again, just to take some pictures. Unlike the Arc de Triomph, it was quiet around there. Actually, Unter der Linden was nothing compared to Champs Elysees.
And the TV Tower was another disappointment. I paid the DM8 fee, got in, took the elevator to the panorama terrace and got out in no more than ten minutes. Alas.
27.8.96
27.8.96 (Tue)
I am now having breakfast in the restaurant of Forum Hotel. This hotel has everything a hotel should have, except air conditioning (I mean cooler). It is comfortable. The hotel is about 37 storeys high and my room is on the 30th floor. Think about it: I have never lived in a place so high. It is modern, using card keys and television sets that combine radio, TV, video and communication functions. But it looks ugly on the outside.
My right eye is feeling better now that I have slept properly for a whole night. In fact, I think I fell asleep about 8 pm last night and did not wake up until about 4 am this morning.
I think I am still not in the mood of travelling. What I want most now is to lie down and sleep. Anyway, today I plan to go to Potsdam. When I am back I may visit the zoo.
OK. About yesterday. The weather was very fine. Hot. I found my way to this hotel quite easily (experience counts, you see). But the S-Bahn here is quite confusing. The route plan does not show the lines clearly. I left my backpack at the hotel (well I could not check in because it was only noon). Then I took the S-Bahn to Bahnhof Zoo, had lunch, exchanged some money, and then got on Bus 100. By that time I was quite tired, partly because of the heat. So when the bus reached Alexanderplatz I just got off and returned to the hotel. I showered and rested for about an hour before I set off again (because I did not feel it right to sleep in the afternoon, especially during a trip).
I walked towards the west to Brandenburger Tor. There must have been many historical buildings/sights on the way but I don't think I saw many of them. I lost my way and went to the Altstadt around the Nicholas Church. It was a bad idea to walk westwards at the time of sunset. The sun almost blinded me and my eye hurt very badly. When I reached Brandenburger Tor I was exhausted (the heat, the walk, the sunshine). I took the S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof where I made a reservation for a seat to Praha and then returned to the hotel.
The Altstadt is the place I like most. It was cool in there. I just may visit there again.
I took some pictures on the sky in my room this morning because the colours before dawn were beautiful.
Berlin. I don't think I like it or will like it. Sitting here eating my breakfast, I miss Paris, London, Munich, Rothenburg, Heidelburg, Brugge, Bath, and many more places. How I miss them. But not Berlin.
I don't see many differences between East and West Berlin (this hotel is in the East). But maybe I don't see anything at all.
My right eye is feeling better now that I have slept properly for a whole night. In fact, I think I fell asleep about 8 pm last night and did not wake up until about 4 am this morning.
I think I am still not in the mood of travelling. What I want most now is to lie down and sleep. Anyway, today I plan to go to Potsdam. When I am back I may visit the zoo.
OK. About yesterday. The weather was very fine. Hot. I found my way to this hotel quite easily (experience counts, you see). But the S-Bahn here is quite confusing. The route plan does not show the lines clearly. I left my backpack at the hotel (well I could not check in because it was only noon). Then I took the S-Bahn to Bahnhof Zoo, had lunch, exchanged some money, and then got on Bus 100. By that time I was quite tired, partly because of the heat. So when the bus reached Alexanderplatz I just got off and returned to the hotel. I showered and rested for about an hour before I set off again (because I did not feel it right to sleep in the afternoon, especially during a trip).
I walked towards the west to Brandenburger Tor. There must have been many historical buildings/sights on the way but I don't think I saw many of them. I lost my way and went to the Altstadt around the Nicholas Church. It was a bad idea to walk westwards at the time of sunset. The sun almost blinded me and my eye hurt very badly. When I reached Brandenburger Tor I was exhausted (the heat, the walk, the sunshine). I took the S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof where I made a reservation for a seat to Praha and then returned to the hotel.
The Altstadt is the place I like most. It was cool in there. I just may visit there again.
I took some pictures on the sky in my room this morning because the colours before dawn were beautiful.
Berlin. I don't think I like it or will like it. Sitting here eating my breakfast, I miss Paris, London, Munich, Rothenburg, Heidelburg, Brugge, Bath, and many more places. How I miss them. But not Berlin.
I don't see many differences between East and West Berlin (this hotel is in the East). But maybe I don't see anything at all.
26.8.96
26.8.96 (Mon)
I am on the plane to London. It will arrive there in 45 minutes. This journey has not been so bad, though it is of course difficult to remain seated for 13 hours.
The first seat I got was all right except that it was too close to the smokers. I tried to change seat about two hours after the flight had taken off but it was already too late. Most vacant seats had already been taken up. This seat I am in now is not very good because the reading light is out of order and the earphone point is not functioning properly. And the kid sleeping beside me kicked me from time to time. But it is still endurable. Sometimes I slept and sometimes I watched the movies/TV. The movies are good. But I have seen them all before.
The food was not bad at all. I think I had a wrong impression about BA's food. The awful food should be that of British Midland.
My right eye hurts quite badly. The eye drop the doctor gave me does not seem useful. I am worried.
I will read about Berlin on the next flight. I feel that I am not well prepared for the trip yet. I hope everything will be fine.
The food at the Hong Kong Airport was very, very expensive. Impossibly expensive. One 500 ml Volvic water was HKD22. An ordinary cup of coke was $19 and a tasteless sandwich something around $35. Awful. No doubt McDonald's runs a good business.
My eye hurts. What should I do?
* * *
Here is what happened on the flight to Berlin. There was an Asian girl who kept talking in German incessantly to a European young man, whom she had just met obviously. They sat in the seats several rows in front of me and the girl blah blah blah all the way. The noise a woman can produce is unbelievable. I think the girl was from Hong Kong. And she spoke in German, English, Cantonese and Putonghua.
The first seat I got was all right except that it was too close to the smokers. I tried to change seat about two hours after the flight had taken off but it was already too late. Most vacant seats had already been taken up. This seat I am in now is not very good because the reading light is out of order and the earphone point is not functioning properly. And the kid sleeping beside me kicked me from time to time. But it is still endurable. Sometimes I slept and sometimes I watched the movies/TV. The movies are good. But I have seen them all before.
The food was not bad at all. I think I had a wrong impression about BA's food. The awful food should be that of British Midland.
My right eye hurts quite badly. The eye drop the doctor gave me does not seem useful. I am worried.
I will read about Berlin on the next flight. I feel that I am not well prepared for the trip yet. I hope everything will be fine.
The food at the Hong Kong Airport was very, very expensive. Impossibly expensive. One 500 ml Volvic water was HKD22. An ordinary cup of coke was $19 and a tasteless sandwich something around $35. Awful. No doubt McDonald's runs a good business.
My eye hurts. What should I do?
* * *
Here is what happened on the flight to Berlin. There was an Asian girl who kept talking in German incessantly to a European young man, whom she had just met obviously. They sat in the seats several rows in front of me and the girl blah blah blah all the way. The noise a woman can produce is unbelievable. I think the girl was from Hong Kong. And she spoke in German, English, Cantonese and Putonghua.
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