I went to the supermarket today and saw something I’ve never seen before. A stand of glass hip flasks full of whisky being sold attached to cards. I don’t know if packaging spirits in this way is a new idea or something unique to France, but I don’t remember...
Dear Travel Diary
When I Go Walking I’m Sometimes Surprised by the Things I Find
I’ve been in France for around two weeks now and most of the days have been cloudy and grey. There’s been a lot of rain. The weather here is very different for the weather I got used to enjoying in Spain. There have been a few nice days though....
You Can Buy Snails at the Supermarket! Who Knew?
I always knew people eat snails in France but, until today, I had no idea it was possible to buy snails from a French supermarket. I presumed snails were a delicacy that was only available from restaurants. The truth was revealed to me when I was examining the options...
Sun, Sweat, and Exercise – Outdoor Fitness Equipment Beside the Road
The first time I encountered any outdoor fitness equipment was in Valencia. I was walking through the Jardín del Turia (Turia Riverbed Park) and saw a zone filled with exercise equipment that anyone could use. The idea of having a free workout under the hot Spanish sun was not...
Spain Again and It’s Good to Be Back
A couple of days ago, I was in Hungary. Today I woke up in Spain and it’s good to be back. The last time I was in Spain was just over a year ago when I left Granada and flew to Leipzig, Germany. Since then, I’ve visited lots of...
City Pan Fish & Chips: British Fish and Chips In Hungary?
Today I ate fish and chips in Szeged, Hungary. Although I was born in Britain and used to eat fish and chips fairly regularly during the 48 years I lived there, I seldom get cravings for fish and chips. However, when I see fish and chips for sale in...
Hungarian Folk Dancing in Szeged (They Dance Fast!)
I’ve been in Szeged less than a week, but I’ve already noticed there’s often something happening in the squares within the city centre. Today, as I was strolling through the city I was fortunate enough to get a chance to see some traditional Hungarian folk dancing. I’m not sure...
WTF! Airbnb Forced Me to Take a Selfie!
Today I logged into Airbnb and began exploring possible to places to go after I leave Belgrade. I eventually made a decision and attempted to book a room. The whole process was interrupted by a red-tape request out of the blue. Airbnb wanted a selfie verification. I think it’s...
Till Receipts in Serbia Are Sometimes Very Skinny!
Some of the till receipts in Serbia are very narrow. The first time a shop assistant handed me such a skinny receipt I got quite a surprise. I’d never seen a till receipt like it before. It was less than half the width of the receipts I’ve received in...
Thanks to a Recent Storm, I Now Know Why Trams Have to Stop in Heavy Rain
Today I discovered trams have to stop if there’s heavy rain and then I found out why. The weather in Belgrade has been very warm lately. Often 30 degrees or more. There have been a few thunderstorms as well, though. There was a pretty bad one last night. This...