And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
I had t look it up... The Orient Express still exists. "The train operates from mid-March to December and the fares range from £3,530 per person for a Venice to Paris journey, up to £61,200 for a Grand Suite on the Istanbul journey. You can often save by booking the Orient Express early. All fares include meals and some beverages."
Travelling from Budapest toward Vienna on the Orient Express tells you everything you need to know about Communism. As you pass out of Hungary and Slovakia, and enter Austria, you go from decrepit, crumbling infrastructure instantly into modern well-kept infrastructure. It is instantaneous when you cross the Austrian border.
Yep. You don't even need to be on the Orient Express. Back in 1984, the train from Budapest to Vienna was the only option to get out of town when Andropov died. Three of us were there negotiating a licensing deal. The news hit, things got sketchy, we decided to beat it before the border closed. Literally the last train out of Pottsville. Paid somebody off for tickets and exit visas. Soon as you crossed the border the difference was obvious.
We did the London to Venice 20 years ago, wonderful experience. The scenery is breathtaking, tiring journey though surprising how noisy the carriages are when trying to sleep overnight, still worth it.
I had t look it up... The Orient Express still exists.
ReplyDelete"The train operates from mid-March to December and the fares range from £3,530 per person for a Venice to Paris journey, up to £61,200 for a Grand Suite on the Istanbul journey. You can often save by booking the Orient Express early. All fares include meals and some beverages."
That's a trip I have in my bucket list. Curious if I'd get caught up in a murder investigation. :D
DeleteI wouldn't be able to stop looking out that window
ReplyDeleteDepends on who you brought with you.
DeleteTravelling from Budapest toward Vienna on the Orient Express tells you everything you need to know about Communism. As you pass out of Hungary and Slovakia, and enter Austria, you go from decrepit, crumbling infrastructure instantly into modern well-kept infrastructure. It is instantaneous when you cross the Austrian border.
ReplyDeleteYep. You don't even need to be on the Orient Express. Back in 1984, the train from Budapest to Vienna was the only option to get out of town when Andropov died. Three of us were there negotiating a licensing deal. The news hit, things got sketchy, we decided to beat it before the border closed. Literally the last train out of Pottsville. Paid somebody off for tickets and exit visas. Soon as you crossed the border the difference was obvious.
DeleteWe did the London to Venice 20 years ago, wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteThe scenery is breathtaking, tiring journey though surprising how noisy the carriages are when trying to sleep overnight, still worth it.
Don't drink the valerian nightcap.
ReplyDelete