TRAVELLIVE 3 - 2018

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.
TRAVELLIVE
67