I sat up to watch Spain beat France in the hostel. There was an Indonesian student watching it with me. He is studying in Copenhagen and travelling around Europe. He agreed with me about the state of construction around Zagreb. Now is a good time to be a builder in Croatia.
I hoped I would have the room to myself at night, but two English backpackers came in late and bashed around about midnight. They both snore and the room was really stuffy, but thankfully I slept fairly well.
This morning I took advantage of the late check out to shower and check out the sights before crazy heat. I managed to get some breakfast and some sight seeing done, including the Museum of Broken Relationships, which was quite moving and painful at times.
Now back at the hostel contemplating my next move. Tempted to do museums because the temperature is too hot. I have a coach to catch to Belgrade this afternoon, so want to be at the bus station in time to find it. May have to watch the semi-final on the bus. Sad to be leaving the trains and not excited about coaches. Damn Balkans.
Later – 4.09pm
Waiting at Zagreb Bus Station. I spent the day with visits to Electric Games Museum and the Museum of Hangovers. The last was a disappointment. Whereas the Museum of Broken Relationships had lots of humanity, this had lots of inanity, in the same way that being drunk is only interesting to the person who is drunk, the rest find it tedious. The computer games museum was much more interesting and I met a real geek who knew so much about all of it. Very interesting. The rest of the time was spent trying to avoid the sun.
It is 32 degrees, so the walk to the bus station was more than enough activity. The bus station is tired and has terrible reviews online. I will quickly change my opinion if I miss my bus but it doesn’t seem too bad to me.
I’m taking the opportunity to eat, write this and download photos off of my phone. Nerve-wracking, as I don’t want to delete the pictures from my journey so far. 741 images and videos compared to the few rolls of film I used in 2000. God, life was so much simpler.
Later – 11.25pm
The bus journey was fairly straightforward. Croatia was a fairly boring landscape and one long road. It ended in a border check, end of the EU and crossing into Serbia. Then another passport check on the Serbian side.
I have to stream the England-Argentina semi-final while we drive. The signal is patchy, but I see England go ahead. Thankfully the lad behind me is Serbian and studies in Ireland. He is keen to watch the game too, and in exchange he helps me navigate the free bus system in Belgrade.
My first impression is that it is BIG.
Eventually I get off one stop after my travel buddy and wander down through the street to my hostel. On the way, England lose.
My hostel is amazing. For 40 euros I have my own room plus a kitchen and bathroom to myself. To think Belgrade gives this for 40 euro, Munich was 100 euro for a shitty bed in a six person dorm. The difference a weekend makes.
That said, my hostel is in a lively street, so I step out to have some night life as I haven’t so far on this trip. My pint is £3.14, and the street is hopping. It reminds me of Berlin before gentrification. I like the vibes.
