Fallen in love with Budapest...

Vienna. Waiting for a bus to Budapest. I am drinking coffee at McDonald's, browsing my phone. Got notification about missed call from Budapest. It must be someone from the guesthouse, that I booked. I must send her/him a message that I am waiting for my bus and I will arrive at approximately 4-5 pm, I guess. I get replied after few minutes...A kind message. It is pleasure to know that someone is expecting my arrival and actually cares for me. Someone, I haven't even met yet.

The journey seems so interesting. I am sitting on the back of the bus. I am able to admire the views of two countries together. They used to be formed as one country. I am entering Hungary. A magnificent piece of beautiful nature appears on the both sides of the road. Astonishing wild lands, rocky hills, meadows. The Sun is embracing this all with its long arms, warming, cuddling...On a rocky bus, everything outside appears to dance, smile. Everything looks bright and amusing. The bus is shaking, occasionally rapidly braking, then running forward, overtaking...Here I am, with others, Asians, Europeans...We are all united and heading towards Budapest.

Finally, I have arrived to Budapest. Getting out of the bus and heading towards a building, which can provide me with some information about additional transport to my hotel. The map placed on information board does not tell me much about the area, where my hotel is situated. Again, I have no city map, so I need to rely on my Google map on my phone. According to it, I should get to the guesthouse by 5 pm.

I am getting closer. It is quite hilly area, but surrounded by trees and flowers. It looks so vivid and settled. Rocking trees are so calming and reassuring. You will be my companions for the next three mornings. You will wave to me when I leave the hotel and come back to it. Surely, inhabitants of this area must be rich and happy. I have reached my destination. I am sweating, thirsty and exhausted...

I need to have a shower, change my clothes, charge my phone and then I go ahead to meet and greet the city.

The owner seems to be a nice person. The house is extraordinary beautiful with huge garden. Everything is surrounded by trees and flowers. An enchanting place. It is missing only fairies...

Heading towards the river Danube. The first thing that appears to my eyes is a church with two green spires. On the left is the river and marvellous building of the Parliament. Crossing Szechenyi Chain Bridge with other tourists. The river is wide and has amazing light green colour. On the both sides of Danube, gorgeous buildings are raised, accompanied with the river's run. They are watching and admiring its beauty and glory. If I only had wings, I would fly.

I've managed to cross the bridge. Coming closer to the Parliament building. The Sun is hiding behind the buildings on the other side of the river, where 'I come from'. The Sun has been guiding me all day today. Now, I'm here, so it says 'goodbye', I'll see you tomorrow then.

Standing in front of this astonishing piece of architecture makes me feel so impressed and touched. The details of the building are creating an amazing artwork. How lucky am I to stand right here and admire your beauty?

Looking around, taking few photos, crossing the river, witnessing the Sunset... On my way back to hotel I feel that I need to eat something decent. The Japanese restaurant seems fine. I may come here tomorrow.

I make my choice and dine myself in a little Italian place, have a quick order. I pay and leave. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day...

I discover a fountain, close to my location. Now, it's shining, vivid and splashing! You are guiding me to my hotel...

This morning, during breakfast time, the lady (owner) has given me a ticket for all sorts of transport in Budapest. It is valid till 9th of August. How lucky am I? I know that Hungarians and Poles are like brothers, but this is what I personally experienced as truly kind gesture.

My plan is to take a map, given by the lady, visit Buda Castle, go to the centre and then to the Park, where the Budapest ZOO is.

The Castle is fantastic. I have bought some souvenirs from the shop next door and now I am ready to cross the bridge and get to another side of the river.

I am admiring the view from the bridge. It is so hot today that I would jump into the river...I could stay here forever and let the wind to play with my hair. I'm feeling a bit lonely, but the charm of the city compensates me this longing for another human. I love nature. It has been always my substitute to my sadness and sorrow. I regret that my childhood was hopeless...Now, I am doing everything I possibly can to reward myself for my loss. Looking at Danube heals the pain. It is dressing for my wounds and milk for my hunger. I remember being a child and suffering after coming back from summer holiday. Everything was still warm, bright and golden. The end of summer. The horrible feeling, that the all joy, I have experienced will be distracted and taken away from me and replaced by gloomy period of duties and commitments. This time, I am free, unconditionally free.

Heading towards the city centre, I notice a beautiful church. I need to enter it and pray. After taking some photos, I am going to discover the Park, surrounded by water and the Zoo.

This is stunning, a breath taking object. Surrounded by water. Another castle I guess. It has a gate and the bridge and the Park, I decided to visit.

What a charming place, full of trees and flowers.

Time to visit the ZOO. I love animals and recently I have visited Vienna ZOO, the oldest zoo in Europe.

What and amazing view! I have been waiting for it till 9 pm. The Parliament is in lights, the both bridges are in lights too! Time to go back to hotel!

Today, I am going to the Botanic garden. It is my last day in Budapest. Tomorrow, I'm leaving. I am anxious, because I want to stay here for longer...

This place is so exquisite, delicate and romantic. My little paradise. I have hidden myself from rain in bamboo trees. The rain has passed after 10 minutes. I am crying inside and this rain was just reflecting my feeling. The sky was dropping tears...

I would be lovely to live here in a small cottage house. It is so romantic garden.

Budapest, a little Paris of the Eastern Europe, where life is normal. No rush, no chaos, no smell, no squeeze, no expense...My oasis, my treasure, my time, my past and my present. My future. I will come back here...soon.

Wonderful Vienna

Getting out of the airport in Vienna... My new adventure has just began. Everything around me seems familiar. I am not afraid. Looking at my Google map to find out about the hotel address, I booked. 

It seems, it is easy to follow. It is long straight way ahead. Nothing more simple. 

The Sun is striking with its beams like swords. All is bright, warm, vibrant. 

Just looking around and I am in the middle of summer, in Vienna! I can hardly see any people. All I need now is food, have a wash and rest. I am passing a lot of funeral companies offering headstones for sale... Certainly, it is not a pleasant walk towards my hotel! According to the map, it should take me about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to my hotel. I can see a grocery shop. I need to drink and eat...

Finally, I'm finding myself in front of my hotel. Got in, on the first floor, opening the door to the reception and...there is no one in?! Nobody is waiting for me, welcoming...Ok, I will wait. 

I remember, that I declared to arrive at 3 pm, and now is 2.20 pm, so I need to wait. 

I approach a reception desk and I can see the piece of paper and some note on it, written by a guest: "We were waiting over one hour, couldn't wait longer, so we give you a key back, sorry..." 

A young man appears in a reception room, says 'hello' to me and sits down on a chair. I can hear his conversation in foreign language, but I can't be sure if this is in Russian or in other language. 

Perhaps, he is waiting for someone. Suddenly, he gets up and rapidly leaves the hotel. I am fed up with standing and waiting, so I sit myself down on a chair. It is nearly 3 pm. I am expecting to meet up with receptionist soon. 3 pm, no one is here yet. I just see from time to time a young woman with long dark hair coming in and going out. She looks at me like I am a stranger...She got into room next to main entrance. It is 4 pm. A young man is coming in and immediately refers to me as he clearly can see me waiting. I respond saying that 'I am waiting for check in'. He enters the room, where the young woman is and explains that I am waiting. Finally, she is coming out, saying 'sorry for your waiting' and checks me in...

I get washed and dressed, just waiting to charge my phone and I am ready to explore a piece of the city.

Walking down the long Simmering street, I notice the first object that is interesting to admire. Coming closer. What a wonderful fountain! Bringing relief from the heat. 

I take few photos of it and walk forward to see more things. 

The architecture is amazing, a bit like Paris, but different...Vienna is unrepeatable city. I can see stunning buildings, designed for culture purposes, such as concerts, meetings...theatre academy, museums, hotels, galleries. I am enchanted...

I am curious about the river, so now I am attempting to find it and take some photos.

I am not impressed by the river. It is too narrow and dominated by its surrounding.

I am heading back to hotel. Tomorrow, I am going to Kunsthistorisches Museum...

What I definitely like about this country is the fact, that every McDonald's has its own cafe room, specifically designed for cakes and coffee. You can buy a local, traditional cake such as: cheesecake or apple strudel, creamy sponge cake with fruits in jelly, tiramisu...

Today, after a long journey, breakfast in McDonald's, I find my way to Kunsthistorisches Museum.

I bought a ticket a month ago, so now this is the time to finally enter that legendary building,

that I know about from 'The Wachter's list'.

The museum is brilliant, very sophisticated. I am amused...

I'm entering the room with artworks by Peter Bruegel. I'm feeling tremors, excitement and agitation...I'm standing in front of ' The Fight Between Carnival and Lent'. 'The Babel Tower' gathers around the most of art lovers...

It was an amazing experience to be able to see those paintings. Now, it is time for the most famous cake of Europe from Sacher. The queue to the Sacher Cafe is standing out of the building, so I decide to go for a walk around and come back and check later how the situation looks like. I am lucky enough to get a table after my short walk. The cake in deed is delicious...

My God, how much did I need to go on this trip? To get rest from the all efforts and stress I had gone through the last two years...I just have to cut myself off the past...I hope to remember this moment like it lasts forever...

I pay for my cake and drinks and go back to my hotel. I order a ticket to the ZOO for tomorrow...

The oldest ZOO in Europe...

Sitting by the fountain, I am thinking about a trip to Budapest... How will it be there? Will I like it? So far I like Vienna. Some people say that Budapest is a better place that Vienna. How is it possible? I am really curious about Budapest. I have no plans for tomorrow, so maybe I should go and visit the Karl's Church and find the bus station, where my trip to Budapest starts from...That's the plan.I'm standing for the last time in front of the mirror in hotel in Vienna. Time to say goodbye Vienna. Time to leave. I am ready for Budapest...

The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge

 Cambridge. The city of youth and art. The reason, I am here today is the EU election. By the way, I have decided to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum. I have been here before, 10 years ago. Everything just looks the same, interiors, gorgeous paintings, armours, sculptures. Time to bring my memories back...

Magdalena Ogórek: “The Wächter's List”- The Review.

“The Wächter's List” is going to be published in the English language by the end of this year. I have posted a review of that book in Polish. This time, I am  presenting the English version of my review, simply because this magnificent book is worth it. Worth to read, worth to buy!

Magdalena Ogórek: ,,The Wächter's list.” The Review.

Cinematic writing as a style of expression through the literature in the case of “The Wächter's List”, by Magdalena Ogórek turns out to be a great success. The book has been written in the form of diary combining features of reportage with elements of historical investigation. Apart from that, there is a significant amount of informative interludes, conveying outstanding knowledge to a reader. The aim is to understand the values and purposes of described pieces of art, also to introduce their important figures related to them. An addressee of the book has a real chance to feel genuine emotions of the author - the protagonist. It is possible, thanks to excellent language features, perfectly used by the 
writer. At her piece of work, going step by step, she reveals the stages of her private 
investigation. She conveys the poignant truth about the title role of the SS General - Otto von Wächter and his responsibility for the disappearance of works of art, including “The fight between Carnival and Lent” by Peter Bruegel (Brueghel). Through further story, the author very effectively uses sensory effects in a description of her experiences. She often handles words defining taste, smell, colour, sound (Onomatopoeia) and even touch. It makes a reader feel like he/she equally participates in actions, or even becomes a companion of her mission.
By using a personification of nature and objects, this message becomes more vivid, powerful and interesting.
One of the most important, crucial and essential for creating this book is meeting between the protagonist and the title role's son - Horst von Wächter, reminiscence of his parents (especially his beloved mother), revealing his family's secrets and attaching documents, including photographs. Thanks to Horst, the protagonist meets persons, witnesses, that are crucial for investigation. The statement given by Polish Prince, Stanislaw Lubomirski and one SS soldier's story (a companion of the General Wächter) contributes to this book, help to shape more precisely the figure of Otto von Wächter. To discover the truth, the author multiple times travels abroad to places such as Vienna, Prague, Rome, where Wächter was hiding himself during his escape from justice. 
This book is for the art history fans, interested in II World War. It is an amazing proposition for those seeking the truth about missing Polish art masterpieces during WWII, desiring to find out, what has really happened to the stolen artefacts. The book may also motivate those, who love travelling and would track Magdalena's journey to those amazing places in Europe, full of history and secrets!
Personally, I cannot wait to visit Vienna!

Thank you.

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