Expect Nothing and Hope For Anything!

Amazing week in the life of Benjamin Hargrove. Unbalanced creating a balance of normality in hoping for nothing and expecting anything. Bratislava to Budapest somewhere around 175 miles in 6 days including the side trip which was more scenic but slow. So much has happened this week again. My only known fact is that everything works out somehow some way. Oh have I mentioned that plans are useless? Ideas are better, better that plans because plans change and ideas are created as you please. The idea now is to get a direct train to Greece and starting the island hoping. I'm tired I am bored of the river. So many endless days both mentally, physically hard with only another corner of the river to go around and wonder. Yes I know this is what I am looking for the unknown. I am though also looking for contact with people and culture. My travel by Kayak on the Danube has brought this but alone this way of travel has made me a little mentally deprived. Maybe but maybe not I will become satisfied going to Greece for a little while but I'll try it. I have more ideas too but who knows who knows? Not me!

My thoughts of taking it slow has kind of worked but all the same my instincts tell me to keep going and going pushing the everyday. Just another mile, just keep going there is something around the next corner. Then there are those days when you never want to get up and get going. Yes, maybe because it is raining and I did not put up a tent. Stuck under a piece of tyvek I brought from home propted up with sticks to keep it off my face. Paddling into the wind barely moving because the river is so slow. Sleeping in the bushes with a full moon bright enough to read my book from while listening to the river animals. Portaging around a small dam, scouting it out and having dogs chase me. Deciding to just go a little further and not camp at the outskirts of town only to be welcomed by the local paddling club and given a room to stay in. Mid 30 mile days followed by a 50 mile day only to think the next would be a rest day ending as one of the longest. Finding a Marina by accident with camping only to be give a bed in the tour boat by the captain after a night of a few beers talking with Internet translation The next morning given gifts of a Thermos, tea, cookies, toilet paper and water. Arriving near Budapest and other kayakers coming up to me saying they have read my blog. Singing endlessly to myself on the river while locals stair at me. Finding way to keep going all day on my boat maybe stopping to stretch my legs once or twice. Sailing a bit too which I am excited for in Greece. Packing up the boat on the bank of the river in Budapest tourist district while preforming perfect packing I have perfected. Wondering the streets of Budapest with my boat for hours literally stopping only when people offer to buy me beer when they hear my story, then having to pee on the streets like any other person would do. Over spending my on my normal budget in a 3 star hotel when giving up looking for a hostel at almost 11PM. Enjoying the hotel while taking just a little extra from the breakfast buffet in the morning for my pockets and lunch.

Now in a Hostel annoyed by the party seen a little in shock of my alternative travel mode compared to the norm. Raining in Budapest, I have interest to walk the streets but not really. I have spent too many long days in the rain this last couple weeks. The streets are full of tourist. It is Easter weekend but still Budapest is super modern western. Starbuck type coffee shops, subway everywhere, the nicest Mcdonalds I have ever seen. Kind of put it into realm of southern Thailand is where I can relate. Southern thailand as in tourist and more of them than locals it seems. Tomorrow I go to Thessaloniki Greece on the train. I have scouted my route to the train station for my oversized lugage. One conection in Belgrade, Serbia but other that that smooth sailing as far as can ever be seen. Ideas of spending a night there then a ferry to the island of Chico. Who knows though. Just bought a nice bottle of wine to enjoy and look forward to a nice relaxing evening.