I’d like to say it’s cos it’s Prague, and I had such a magical time here, but as I crawl into bed, knowing there’s a train in the morning, there’s a weird feeling in me.
Another town, another place, and just leaving something behind. But if you don’t leave, someone else will. This is not even close to life. It’s a holiday.
I am excited about Krakow, but its just the thought of packing it all up, moving on… It’s over and will never be again.
Danny
Prague
I was crossing the Charles Bridge two days ago here in Prague. Ipod on, looking at this bridge and all the buskers and tourists that line every side.
Until there was a bit of a gap of people, and oh it was so cinematic. Camera pans then lifts and you see the amazing river from the Charles.
I stood there for a long time, thinking about how I got here, people I miss and all that.
Prague has been wonderful. I’ve met so many awesome people. Seen some breath-taking stuff. Drank a lot of beer. Good times. The Castle at night…oh my.
More details later. Right now I’m waiting for my breakfast, in a cafe typing this and looking at last night’s photos.
Krakow tomorrow.
Danny
Third night in a row of great, great nights in Prague. I love this town. It is 4am and I am wasted. Goodnight and I hope you are well.
Danny
Prague
Kim, in her Kim on Tour blog, linked to the right there, had the best headline for Prague. I won’t even try.
Said goodbye to Brussels, which was lovely. I will be back. Spent last night with Katia, and we saw some music at Grand Place, then a french band call Les Fatals Picard.
These last guys were the french eurovision contestants but were actually brilliant. They had a pogues/madness vibe, and weezer called and wanted their guitarist back. Actually, reminded me of Barenaked Ladies too (I like them, fuck off).
Today we tried Little Asia on Goris’ recommendation. I bought Harry Potter one in French in an effort to better myself. It is all good.
Now I’m in the Prague, in the best hostel ever, recommended to me by Dave Keys. I’m in pretty high spirits.
Hope all’s well with you, wherever you are.
Danny
Prague
Once again, I’m caught in Europe on a Sunday. There is nothing to do so I do whatever.
The Jacques Brel Museum was closed and will be tomorrow. Such a shame I don’t think I’ll see it.
I did see two wonderful Museums. One was Musee Royaux Des Beaux-Arts Belgique, ie the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Belgium. It had Rubens, and quite excitingly, James Ensor, who was the subject of a They Might Be Giants song. Most excitingly, Rene Magritte. I will write more about Magritte later.
The other is a comic museum, featuring the rich, rich history of cartoons in Belgium. Tintin and the Smurfs are the main two. Its amazing. The first floor has over a hundred original works. From comic book pages to cartoon strips. Romance comics, sci fi adventures, cowboy shoot em ups and just cartoon fantasies.
I’m a big fan of comics. Newspaper strips and comic art, and yes, American Superheroes. Where as this place had a whole floor showing the evolution of comics, American mainstream stuff has stood still.
This place had a whole floor dedicated to comic’s evolution. Both visually and thematically. Where as in the US you have to bend at the altar of Stan Lee, and any speaking out against him and his style is treachery. You must have screaming damsels. You must have cackling villians. You must have an alliterated name. I hate Stan Lee.
Otherwise Belgiums been lovely. I’m meeting someone I met last night and we’re going to see some French folk music. Tomorrow will be the music instrument museum then off to Prague. Right now I’m at Ste Catherine, downing Hoegaardens and wondering if I’ll be able to buy more socks today.
I doubt it.
Danny
Brussels.
I’m staying in a terrible hostel in Brussels.
Why do I keep choosing the cheapest ones. I think maybe I can afford a better range of Hostel. Note to self. what really should have given it away was the name. Youth Hostel Van Gogh. It’s just one of those names that international travellers will recognise. I just put one euro in this machine and you only get 12 minutes. Ripped off. Oh well.
So it’s a very strange feeling travelling again. Last time I really did this, I kind of had nothing else to go back to. Now I do, and I miss home, my current home, already.
But I’m getting back into the spirit of it. It’s kind of like putting yourself in an elastic band and just shoot yourself off. It’s random and fun and the aim is to just keep going. Manage to forget the battery for my camera and a European adapter. Argh.
I’m liking Brussels so far, although I have not done much. Wasted some time in record shops. There’s free music in the Town Square tonight so I will go check it out. Saw some lady truly destroy an Alanis Morrisette song earlier. And it’s a little bit quieter than what I’m used to. I might buy some shoes. And there’s a FNAC here, and those places are always good.
Will hit a couple of cafes on Isabelle’s list and check out the Jacque Brel Museum if I get the chance. And get a Tintin t-shirt. But you know, really looking forward to some serious sitting in a park time too.
Danny
Brussels
So I’m really busy but just wanted to write a two things.
Tony Wilson passed away. I’m working in music in the UK and his legend looms large. Many people have told me amazing stories about him. I’ve enjoyed reading him interviewed, his writings and I adore his legacy. But there is no better tribute than the film 24 Hour Party People. Funny, that I’m working on a project now that is one of Tony’s. And I’ve been batling and struggling to get it done despite the ridiculous packaging, and someone pointed out – “That’s Tony.” The man who lost money on every Blue Monday single sold because it was the right thing to do.
Mike Wieringo also passed away. I’m not going to say he was a personal hero of mine or anything overblown. He drew many, many comics I loved. But more importantly, one of the greatest run of comics for me is the Mark Waid era of The Flash, that ran in my late teens. It’s such a mature, well written, loving, funny, epic run of a comic. It’s considered THE Flash era by many, and one of the best titles in that 90s comic explosion. And Mike was there. A great artist, with a great happy style that was so far away from like, the Punisher or Spawn. And when I think of that excellent run of the Flash, and then I see the Flash in my mind, it’s drawn by the hand of Mike Wieringo. That’s something.
Danny
London
I am always pretty awake and alert at midnight. Why can’t I be at work now? I’m no use at 8am. Who came up with 8am?
There gets to a point when it’s 5:45am and you’re still wide awake that you are pretty much trying to waste another hour tossing and turning in bed before you make yourself a slow breakfast and proceed through the day as if by some miracle you woke up early, as opposed to not having slept at all.
So, I’m doing well in London. And yes I have scored a pretty decent job. But that’s not what is making my time here a comfort and a joy.
That’s my home.
I’m living in a three storey place in Ladbroke Grove. The area is synonymous with Notting Hill, mentioned in a Pulp song and is where the Clash and Blur cut their teeth. Nick Lowe wrote a song about Basing Street. Notting Hill the movie was of course set here. Most excitingly, one of my favourite Blur songs, Best Days, mentions Trellick Towers. Those strange looking apartment blocks look down at me as I leave the house every day.
(Also, Trellick Towers was designed by the Belgian architect Goldfinger, a man who would offend Ian Flemming so much that he would name one of his greatest villains after him.)
I love the people I live with and I’m quickly trying to capture something about them before things change.
What I have come up with is the Balfour House Date. It sums all four of us up.
The BHD starts with me. I’m the chatterbox. The ice breaker. I would get a couple of drinks, ask how you are, be genuinely interested in who you are, what’s going on, and all that. I’ll make you comfortable and relaxed.
Next is Isabelle. She’s the more arty, fun and passionate one of the house. She’s an architect, and she would switch to the wine or the scotch as the atmosphere winds down. You would stumble out of the bar with Isabelle, tipsy, happy, talking about meaningful things in funny ways.
Then comes Nathan. Nathan will have sex with you. He’s tall, well built, and a doctor (a research scientist). He’s a good looking man, and a fantastic person, funny and yet has a great curiosity about the world. He also plays guitar. He would take you home, sing you a song, then take you to bed.
Finally there’s Jodie. She will marry you and take care of you forever. The steady head and shoulders when we need it, she is organised, smart, caring and motherly. She will make a great mother. She cleans when she’s restless. She’s a great cook and cooks often. She gives me dry cleaning advice and worries that I still haven’t put a new light bulb in my room for about 2 months (I have a lamp). She’s the last part of the Balfour House date, and the best part.
And she’s the one who is leaving us next week. It’s very sad, but I wont dwell on that. Plenty of time to do that. This week we have been interviewing potential housemates and it’s been a drag. Only one person seemed to fit in with us.
It has pulled the rest of us closer together. Isabelle and I wet through people today, and I just felt like we both loved this place, and we were going to protect it from the spoilt, the daysleepers, the non English speakers and the plain unsettling.
Nathan has been here the longest. Four years or so. He’s sad about Jodie too, but he has a perspective I don’t. People leave all the time. He’s lived with all kinds. Strange feeling, that. But at least it looks like Nathan and I will be pretty stable parts of this house for the coming years.
Home is a time and place. I’ve said it before. Jodie reckons she’s put off her real life long enough. But her last couple of years, her real life has been travelling, and London. As is mine. And nothing stays settled for long these days.
Danny
London