Really, It’s A Synagogue

Far too quickly, this trip is wrapping up. Today was my last full day, and I started the morning with a quick breakfast and a return train to Budapest. I finally understood something that happened on my outward trip. On that trip, the conductor came through and checked my ticket, and later in the trip […]

In A Place of Broken Walls

I feel as though I’m starting the days a little later when I travel now, and I’m not trying to cram quite as much into a day, although that may reflect the fact that Bratislava is a smaller city, with fewer things for a tourist to do. As I consider this, I’m finding that it’s […]

In Which I Take the Advice of Strangers

The train finally drew to a halt and I stepped out with a crowd of other departing passengers. I joined the press of people in the overstuffed doorway, and saw a big blue sign that announced, “Welcome to Slovakia,” in great, capital letters. In smaller print, it declared Slovakia to be a “Little Big Country.” […]

If There are Ancient Ruins, I’ll Find Them

We talked about reckless climbs yesterday. If you haven’t figured it out, there are a couple other things that almost always grab my attention while traveling. One of those things is ancient ruins. If they’re available, I will try to find the Roman or Greek ruins, or frankly ruins of pretty much any lost civilization, […]

I’ll Almost Always Choose This

Two hundred and ninety six steps up I clambered to reach the viewing platform at the base of St. Stephen’s dome. The steps were straight and spiral and short and tall, the inconsistencies rendering the climb that much more exhausting. But I was never truly tired – not really. Nothing kept me from pressing always […]

The Post In Which I’m Up Far Too Early

I woke up early today — earlier, I think, than even I had realized. I cleaned up and headed out into the desolate streets of the city thinking, “Oh – it’s just a Sunday morning.” But, really, there was no place to go and nobody to see. I could see the Buda castle, […]