I never thought I would see the day that I saw a child catch a pigeon. Throughout my entire life, I have watched, with much amusement and a certain level of disdain, children all over the world chase after the rats of the sky, arms out, in the hope of clasping onto the winged buggers … Continue reading »
Category Archives: Eastern Europe
Feed Me Kobasice
For some reason yesterday, I walked all the way out to Zemun. Thats a 6 km walk for those who don’t know. Sure, it isn’t much, but for a man of lack of total fitness, it is absolutely crippling. Still, its a really nice walk, all the way along the Danube river with a great … Continue reading »
Dobro dosli (nazad) u Beograd
I’m in Beograd. I do love this city, oh so much. After a couple of days in Osijek I arrived here via bus yesterday afternoon, and immediately forgot all about the uphill slog towards Chillton2 hostel. Okay, its not uphill all the way, but good lord I forgot about the initial climb. I’m terribly unfit … Continue reading »
An Illustrated History of Slavic Misery: Osijek
Despite being the fourth biggest city in the country, I would wager that not many of you have ever heard of Osijek. Aside from being the club that I took to the Croatian championship on Football Manager (http://penguinorchestra.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/the-sad-lonely-world-of-a-croatian-football-manager/), it is also home to the largest city in Slavonia, the birthplace of Jelena Dokic (Aussie tennis player … Continue reading »
An Illustrated History of Slavic Misery: Zagreb
Amongst former Yugo-towns, Zagreb has got a pretty decent reputation. Whilst certainly not grabbing the headlines and tour buses as much as Dubrovnik or Split, it has definitely formed a reputation of being a great Central European city, leaning towards the west as opposed to the east. Croatia has been this way for much of … Continue reading »
No Monument Can Defeat Me.
I failed miserably in my attempt to reach the Slavin on Thursday. Miserably. After being rudely awoken by the alarm of a drunkard at 7am, I figured I’d walk out to it already. Sidenote, if you are staying in a multi person dorm room, only set a stupidly loud trance alarm if you plan on … Continue reading »
Bratislava Castle is the Worst Type of Castle
Seriously. I’m in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It is unfortunately better known for being the town in which the terrible film ‘Hostel’ is based. Side note, if you’ve formed your opinion of hostels based solely on that film, you are the worst type of idiot. I’m staying at Hostel Blues, recommended to me by … Continue reading »
The Best Laid Plans
Well, sometimes things go exactly as planned, and sometimes they don’t. I’ve been out in Eastern Europe almost a week now, with my good buddy Eric Wiedemann. We’ve had a pretty spiffing time, as per expected. The first night saw the scummiest bar I’ve ever been to, the second saw a pub quiz and way … Continue reading »
My Yugoslav Summer
Well, its Balkan time. Not immediately, but practically. Today is the day I fly into my beloved Eastern Europe for another summer of hilarity, thrilling history and Australians. Unlike previous times there isn’t a solid plan this year, and I’ve saved less money than I ever have, so there we go. Knowing this, I’ll probably … Continue reading »
Book Club 23: Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka)
Metamorphosis (Franza Kafka, pb.1915) As far as novellas go, this one has got a pretty darn good reputation. Kafka himself is pretty lauded, but this is the one that gets school courses based on it. And for good reason. It follows the story of Gregor Samsa, a travelling salesman living with his family. Somehow, it … Continue reading »
