I love Eastern Europe for its picturesque sceneries, and old charm of the past that cannot be found anywhere else.
The sight of a chapel standing out in the middle of a vast field gave me a sense of peace that I had not known before. The chapel is the place that the locals go for prayer since most Eastern Europeans are Christian. As we approached the village, the vast rice fields were no longer in sight. They were replaced by tall chestnut trees and huge oak trees, or sometimes dwarfed Jerusalem thorn trees braving the strong winds. Villagers often burn oak for warmth during the cold winter. Situated on the hills are small villages, which can be easily recognized by the bell tower of a church or layers of smoke billowing out from their kitchen roofs. The villages are a great stop for travelers like us. A new friend whom I met at the village was kind enough to take us to see the old train. We waited at the station for the old train to arrive and took amazing photos of it. The train arrived and left so quickly before we knew it, bringing immediate movements and quickly returning its tranquility. Unplanned trips always turn out to be the most amazing and unforgettable. I was lucky to hear the church bells ring beautifully in the early morning, and see black smoke coming out from the kitchen roofs below. What a great way to start a new day. I was completely detached from the noisy and bustling world that I lived in. Instead I was worry-free about my future plans. I felt present right in the middle of the peaceful village, and here is where I will keep all of my beautiful memories. The sound of the church bell's ring signaled time for prayer, and the beginning of a new day, bringing me peace and warming my soul. The bridge between the past and the present Eastern Europe presented to me two contrasting colors. One a peaceful and relaxing palette, and another that is ancient, and poetic. During this trip, I visited three big countries of Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. The trip lasted almost half a month and I could not wish for more. I was free to let my soul roam around in remote villages and let myself become immersed in the history and romance of the cities. If you've been following me on my trips to the Himalayas and the Arctic, you will be surprised at why I chose such a peaceful trip this time! It is in fact, an important part of my life. I love Eastern Europe for its picturesque sceneries, and old charm of the past that cannot be found anywhere else. I visited Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the capital of Moravia. Since it is a big city, the amount of buildings and skyliners is substantial. But the most interesting thing about it is that it is detached from the old neighborhood, an area strongly preserved in terms of its architecture, color, and ancient features. From the route leading to the St. Matthias Church in Budapest (Hungary) to the wall in Bratislava (Slovakia), from Brno streets to alleys in Prague (Czech Republic), from the mellow Danube river crossing through the city of Budapest to the solid bridge over it. Every places that I visited in Eastern Europe kept me from ever wanting to leave. I was able to live a life of someone who had crossed to the other side of life. Every places that I went was so picturesque, and possess so much mystery of its past. I did not plan a single place, attraction or landmark to visit. I simply wandered around the old towns, enjoyed coffee, listening to music, and watching passersby. I sometimes simply stared at a lamp post, or a wall, or an old alley, feeling totally absent-minded. To me, that is what connects the past with the present. Visa ñ Entry fees in some European countries are relatively inexpensive, and sometimes all you need is the Schegen Single entry visa which can get you into Greece, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovenia. To enter Croatia or Romania, you will either need a multiple entry visa, or enter these countries and fly back to Vietnam from there (you are not allowed to re-enter Schengen). For the Baltic countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, due to the recent economic growth, the visa fee is no longer as cheap as before, but it is still cheaper than the Netherlands, Italy, and Austria, and especially northern Europe. Travel costs The cost for an Eastern Europe trip is quite reasonable. ñ Beverage: a fresh glass of beer costs 60,000VND, sometimes cheaper than bottled water. Tap water is safe to drink. ñ Food: a buffet meal costs from 200,000 - 400,000VND. Restaurant prices are equivalent to restaurant prices in Saigon and Hanoi. ñ Accommodation: An Airbnb property costs between 20 - 40 euros per night per room. A 4-star hotel room in Brno, Czech Republic, costs 75 euros per night for a 50m 2 room with kitchen included. <strong>TRAVELLIVE</strong> 67
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