Kylin's European Grand Adventure: Day 22

Today was a long day on the train. We took a taxi to the train station rather than walking or using the metro/bus (needed to use both to get there). We talked to the taxi driver about his life in Budapest and were saddened to hear that life has not improved under their form of democracy. It makes no difference to the average worker who is in charge -- life is hard. The average worker makes US$800 a month. Government construction projects take 4 times as long as they project unless it is a favorite of a political leader.

In Budapest we were continually approached by people wanting to seek us something or panhandling. One guide told us to simply ignore them because if you were kind, they would not leave you alone. So today in the train station some guy came up to me and I didn't understand what he wanted so I waved him away and kept walking! Imagine my surprise when he showed up on the train toting someone's bag. He saw me in our compartment and recognized me so he stopped. He tried to explain that he was trying to help me and I apologized. Then he proceeded to ask for a tip. John had some Hungarian coins left so I told John to give them to him. Then he proceeded to berate us because he couldn't even buy a cup of coffee with what we gave him! When John started to get a little irate, he left!

The train was 20 minutes late in leaving and by the end of the day, was an hour late arriving in Prague! We sat in a compartment with a Venezuelan and his partner. He is a mechanical engineer working for GE in Kuwait. It is hot in Kuwait and lots of sand storms currently. Life in his home country is very difficult. Chavez came to power in the late 1990's and started instituting major control changes in 2002. He lives out of the city so finding necessities like whiskey and toilet paper is very difficult. Most items can be purchased at twice the normal cost from the black market. His brother and sister-in-law are doctors and must buy their medical equipment and supplies from the black market.

Do we realize how blessed we are? I have seen the pain of these people and it makes me weep for them! I know that life is tough for some Americans but most Americans do not try to live on $800 a month and it is expensive in Europe!

Hungary is so poor compared to the other countries. We noticed how things improved from Budapest to Bratislava and then to Prague.

Our passports were checked for the first time when we entered Slovenia. That was interesting! When we saw the police come on board and start down the corridor, I joked that the worker was probably still on board harassing passengers and the guy from Venezuela thought that was really funny!

One of our most frustrating experiences is entering a different country, not really knowing where to go, what word means exit, how to find the metro, getting a 2-3 day senior pass, which escalator to take to get to the correct platform, etc. Today we encountered our first really rude metro worker. He made us thankful for all the wonderful ones we've had so far! So we get on the right line, make our first transfer, hop on the next line, subway takes off and the lights go off. Subway stops at the first stop, voice announces something and everyone leaves. I tell John that we need to get off, he wants to stay on the train because its not our stop, I try to explain everyone is leaving and we must too. Some woman is watching this and she comes up to me and says in a very soothing manner that this happens often and to not worry because there will be another train in a few minutes and we will be fine and then she disappears. I felt like God sent an angel to say "don't be afraid, I'm with you". Sure enough that's what happened. Next problem always is getting to the street and then figuring out which way we need to go. We get outside and I start asking people questions. We were on the right street but going the wrong direction so stopped to examine the map and some woman walking a dog came up and asked if we needed help which we did. She was very nice and said we needed to go the opposite direction. It all works -- we just need to keep preserving.

So here we are at our hotel with our feet up in another city with another language and doing well! God protects, life is good and we're looking forward to seeing Prague tomorrow!

Good night! Have a wonderful day and be thankful!

Schedule board at Keteli train station in Budapest