Six Months in Eastern Europe: A Brief Presentation of My Experiences

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Six Months in Eastern Europe A Brief
Presentation of My Experiences

• Library 500
• September 26, 2003
• Chris McBratney
• chris_mcbratney_at_hotmail.com

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In 2000 I found myself in a job I didnt like but
paid well. Growing restless, I decided to quit
and go traveling. Eastern Europe had always
fascinated me, so I set out to see it in person.
Here is where I planned to go

• London
• Czech Republic
• Poland
• Berlin
• Russia
• Hungary

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I flew into London because it was one of the
cheaper locations to fly to. I had also
lived there before and wanted to catch up with
some friends. After a little while though, I
left to see the Czech Republic.
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Czech Republic

• Although I saw other towns, I found myself drawn
  to Prague. It is an amazing city, full of
  history and elegance. The winding streets seemed
  to always lead to a Kafka monument, whether it be
  a bookstore, café or historical site.
• In addition to seeing the sites, I found myself
  caught up in the Prague night life. The Czech
  Republic has many things going for it, among them
  cheap cigarettes, incredible beer and an
  abundance of absinthe. I enjoyed all of these,
  sometimes in the same night.

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Poland

• Originally, I thought that Poland would be one of
  the highlights of my trip. I was very
  disappointed with it though. The people were
  inhospitable, the hostels were dilapidated and
  empty and there was little to experience.
• Krakow was unusual, as it had escaped World War
  II with little damage. I stayed there a few days.

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Auschwitz-Birkenau

• Auschwitz-Birkenau is situated near Krakow. It
  is as disturbing as one can imagine.
• Below The tracks were custom built for Birkenau,
  it was the last stop.

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Berlin

• Berlin was a relief. I stayed with a
  friend and explored the city. I found it
• modern
• efficient
• cosmopolitan

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Moscow

• From Berlin I flew to Moscow. I had a
  particular passion for Russia, but I knew that it
  would be inhospitable. After settling in I saw
• Red Square
• St Basils Cathedral
• Gorky Park and other sites
• Below Lenins Mausoleum

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St. Petersburg

• St. Petersburg suffers from a completely
  decayed infrastructure. Its Czarist-era core
  has a crumbling elegance, but there is rampant
  crime.
• I toured Dostoyevkys former neighborhood
  and recreated the fateful route Raskilnikov took
  when he killed the money lender in Crime and
  Punishment.

• To the right the money lenders flat.

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Hungary

• Budapest has an interesting attraction
  there is a strange park just outside of town
  where the Hungarians dumped all their communist
  monuments. I visited it and saw some captivating
  pieces of art.
• To the right is statue of Marx and Engels.
  

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Endnote

• That completes my time in Eastern Europe. I
  didnt go home immediately. Back to London, I
  arranged to meet my friend in Thailand and caught
  a flight out of Heathrow. South East Asia
  doesnt have anything on Eastern Europe though.
  Ill take the faded glory of the Soviet Empire to
  sunny beaches any day.