My first evening in Sarajevo, I took AK’s walking tour. An enlightening five-hour walk through the city, learning about it’s history from Ottoman rule to today. There were times where tears filled my eyes as he spoke of the war, the mortars, the Sarajevo roses that fill the holes were people were killed and serveContinue reading “Sarajevo … surrounded”
Category Archives: Europe
The City of Roses
iPod. iPod. iPod. Music. Music. Music. The four hour bus ride from Budva to Sarajevo left me sitting in my seat longing for music. The thought of listening to music consumed me as we weaved through the mountain roads, crossing the border and eventually ending up 12 km outside of Sarajevo proper. I sat inContinue reading “The City of Roses”
Backpacking Awesomeness
I was still tired when I woke up the next morning at Hippo. Not sleeping and being in transit for nearly 40 hours can do that to a person. But, I had a one-track mind: the Adriatic. After a quick breakfast (Hippo gives you eggs to do up however you like), I grabbed a beachContinue reading “Backpacking Awesomeness”
Trains versus buses — which is better? (The List)
//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js // <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // ]]> Given the fantastic experiences I had on the trains through the Balkans, I decided to write-up a pros/cons list of taking the bus versus taking the train through most of Europe. Both can be good. Both can be bad. Often times — at least inContinue reading “Trains versus buses — which is better? (The List)”
The longest day
In theory, I should have arrived to Bar, Montenegro from Belgrade, Serbia around 8:30 p.m. Which, in theory, would have given me plenty of time to catch the bus from Bar to Budva and check-in to Hippo Hostel. In theory … Unfortunately, that was not the case. As I sat in the train at theContinue reading “The longest day”
Midnight Express
The women on our couchette looked straight out of Halloween Eve … long, eggplant dyed hair, small beady eyes, long hairs sprouting from her upper lip next to a large mole with more hair protruding, and on her chin, whiskers spreading down towards her neck. She was dressed in a long black dress and fromContinue reading “Midnight Express”
Hanging in VK
Veliko Tarnovo is an easy place to get sucked in. Well, more specifically, Nomads Hostel IN VK is an easy place to get sucked in. It’s a lovely hostel. The owners are amazing. The travelers who stay there are nice. I ended up staying in the little town for five days. The first full day,Continue reading “Hanging in VK”
Attempting culture
Growing up in America, I was taught that during thunderstorms, to seek shelter. Don’t stand under trees. Don’t stand under anything metal. In Veliko Tarnovo, that little juicy bit of warning was completely unheeded. Abby, our new Italian friend and I had learned “Carmina Burana” was being performed at the Tsarevets fortress for 15 LVContinue reading “Attempting culture”
Leaving the Black Sea
After nearly 10 days seaside, Abby and I boarded a bus to Bulgaria’s interior — the can’t-miss-town of Veliko Tarnovo. It’s not big. It’s not glitzy. But, it is breathtaking. Little stone homes line old cobblestone streets. Stairs climb up the hillside, leading people to the main street packed with stores and delicious (and inexpensive)Continue reading “Leaving the Black Sea”
Hot hot hostels
“Hello, girls, hello,” Dave, the owner of Flag Varna Hostel said, ushering us into the property. “Hi,” Abby and I chimed in unison. We were happy to have arrived to Varna. Immediately, I liked the city. It was a real city, not a town sprung up around an 8 km stretch of beach with theContinue reading “Hot hot hostels”
D Travels 'Round 