Trever's European Gaycation…

Dear not-so-secret diary:

My last week has been quite interesting. I spent 4 nights in the home of a 21 year old, very attractive, Polish Rent boy. I met him on the app “Grindr” and offered to rent me a room in his apartment for 50zl/night (about $15).  Initially I was quite apprehensive, but I realized that if I truly believed all of the bulshit I’ve been spouting, there was no reason to turn down the offer. 

I spent 5 days in his home, he did my laundry and cooked me a few meals. He was (mostly) very nice and it was all very innocent. 

Maybe I should use booking.com and Airbnb a little less and Grindr a little more. 

Good morning. 

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love it here.  So much has happened to make it amazing. I have met wonderful new friends and had so many incredible experiences. 

Budapest Pride was very different and very cool. The gathering point was at Parliament and I went with my new friend (and airbnb host) Santiago and my other new friend David. There was music, speeches and then the parade march started. The pride festivals that I’ve been to were all very different, they were just businesses and organizations showing their support with floats and overpriced drinks after.  In this town the people are the parade. There were no overpriced vendors for food or drink. The entire route was blocked off and secured. This was amazing. Very little protest. Lots of people. The only bad thing was that I spoke to a lot of local gay guys that were not going to the parade — they sounded like I did when I was 20. They didn’t understand the point of pride, why they needed a parade when the people of Budapest don’t like it. It brought back a lot of memories for me. 

I can tell you now, from my understanding, why pride is important. It brings about change. Only when people are forced to confront something will they accept it. Change comes through acceptance. 

It is Midnight and I’m sitting along the Danube River, on the Pest side, and waiting for a friend. 

We are going to walk along the river and see the buildings lit up at night. This place is beautiful 24×7.  I truly could see myself living here. 

The cost of living is low, I have no idea about the crime rate and I’ve felt very safe here. People have very little here, but seem to have so much more. This country has always been dominated or occupied by a foreign power and seem to be doing their own thing in a positive way. 

The currency is confusing. Yesterday I spent 19000 Forint (the currency in Hungary). I realized that this morning and about shit myself. Then I realized it was only $60 (which is still a shitload here) and I relaxed a bit. 

The weather has been gorgeous, 70s and sunny – not humid and not dry. 

Gay pride is happening this weekend here, tis the season. It is supposed to be the largest gay pride festival in Eastern Europe. I was invited to a gay bar tonight and didn’t go, I was apprehensive and I’m not certain why. I might be placing myself in to safer and predictable situations rather than verifying out to the unfamiliar. Or maybe I’m just too old for that shit. 

Time to go

I am in Budapest. I have had a shot few nights here, which I may share later. 

I’m at this cute wine and sausage bar, eating the most delicious blend of boar, hungarian special pork and deer sausages with a nice glass(es) of red wine. The sausages are served with bread and sweet peppers, tomatoes, red onions and hot peppers. Eating a combination of these changes the flavor profiles entirely. My friends and relatives think I’m crazy for resting and ordering this sort of thing, but it has been the best adventure in flavors on this trip – especially after the hot peppers which attempted to melt my face off. 

2 glasses of wine, sausages and bread for less than $12. And they have paleo restaurants. And this “meal” was paleo. I’m in love with this place. 

As I was typing the title of this entry, I was reminded of the theme song from MASH – “Suicide is painless”.  It is certainly less painless than sitting on a discount airline flight, to Eastern Europe, with screaming children (and their passive parents).  That said, I’m in love with Wizzair.

I bought my flight, last minute, for $89 one way from Lisbon Portugal to Budapest Hungary. This was not a cheap ticket by European discount airlines standards. I have heard of people paying $20-25 for flights across Europe – no shit. 

Wizzair is known to charge you for everything. I was worried they were going to force me to check my bag due to its size.  Admittedly my bag is too big and heavy for their posted dimensions; Admittedly I didn’t care about restrictions. I was all ready to throw away everything in my bag, paying for replacement items, rather than give them $65 to check my bag.  I was nice and polite to the gate agent, she dealt with an asshat before me, I tried to speak her language and she repaid me with kindness and cost savings. 

I’m flying to Budapest and this trip still doesn’t feel real. I’m wondering if I’m on too many meds again and am going to dial back (I’m certainly tired of carrying the shit).  I wonder what it means when you start dreaming about throwing away your possessions. 

Lets talk about Portugal…

Portugal was fucking fantasco. The people were great. They didn’t exhaust me, like the French, and they were welcoming. I believe that the Portuguese understood that I was genuinely trying to use their language in a meaningful way, they responded politely without making too much fun of me. 

Price is always relative.  Portugal was crazy cheap – especially in Porto. The most expensive meal I had (in Lisbon) cost me about $25 for wine and an entree of fresh mackerel and rice in a tomato beer sauce. There was also a bottle of wine. I spent, with the exception of one night, less than $22 – usually around $15/night. 

The climate was unseasonably hot when I arrived – about 104 degrees Fahrenheit (42 Celsius) but when I left the temperature was in the 60s and 70s Fairenheit.  It was slightly humid as you would expect from being next to the ocean, also as you would expect I have not had one good hair day since arriving; I’m planning to get a haircut and manicure/pedicure in Eastern Europe. It rained only once while I was in country, it was very light and I am quite curious what their winters might look like. 

Portugal had an amazing vibe to it. They live the siesta lifestyle and from what I have seen as long as you do not bother anyone else they will not bother you. Last night I was in a park having a beer with a friend, we walked off to see what else we could find and realized, a few hours later, that his bag was missing. We retraced or steps and his bag was still in the park – next to the same large group of kids that had been there the whole time. I was worried about pickpockets and am now ashamed at my ignorance.  Also of interest, all drugs were decriminalized. Drugs are treated as a public health issue and rates of addiction or low and they do not have prison overcrowding for nonviolent offenses. 

The traditional foods were simple and basic, the modern spins on Portuguese classics were simply amazing. The Mediterranean diet is a real thing with lean meats, whole grains, red wine, healthy fats at every meal. They have a very relaxed attitude towards alcohol as well, people walk down the streets with beers and other alcohols, they enjoy wine in the park and they are severely punished for driving while drunk. 

Tonight I’m staying with a couch surf host named Bence, in Budapest. He already has a couchsurfer staying with him but has graciously offered to share his bed with me. This trip is a lot of firsts. 

Good morning. Last night was a fantastic time with new friends, from Germany, with good food and wine. I was with a new French friend and we found a tapas place – I was all set to be in bed by 10pm last night, I didn’t get home until nearly 1am. 

I had clams for the first time, they were fantasco.  I could get used to this fresh fish and seafood thing. 

My new friends were amazing, they told me all about things to see and do in Munich/Germany, told me to keep in contact and we spoke about meeting again today for Café and/or dinner at the same Tapas place. 

My massive American chest has been quite the spectacle for these European hosts to witness. I’m assuming it was my chest they were all staring at, anyway. 

It is a beautiful morning in Lisbon, the heat wave broke nearly a week ago and has been in the 70s since.  I’m staying through the 30th of June and will take a redeye flight to Budapest. I’ve no idea where I will sleep those few first days of the month but, like the rest of this trip, I will figure it out. 

Next time I will get business cards with my travel contact info, I guess traveling is kind of my profession at the moment. It makes me wonder how my Canadian friend Dan has managed traveling for so long – 2 years. I’m not sure that I could do that. 

My pack has been so difficult to lug around with all of my care products. I may slim down today. My hips are certainly popping a lot, I’m guessing from supporting the heavy pack up all of the hills here. 

This photo is of a vehicle called a funicular. It carries people up and down the hill. Those who use it are likely the smartest of all. 

I went back to Sintra two days ago with my new American friend Bryan. He is the only other American that I have enjoyed meeting on this trip. 

This is a photo of me by something quite old. 

So this morning I made my first major mistake…  I lost my debit card. It isn’t a big updeal because I planned a contingency for such an event. I expected to be pick-pocketed by now. Things can always be worse and they sell an over the counter mood relaxer that is helping. Vinho Tinto.

In the photo is a new friend (French and Israeli) who believes that I have a great outlook on life – “something bad happens and you don’t cry about it, you just have a drink”.

It seems I’m become more European. Maybe later I will tell you people about Americans that are traveling. 

Bom dia!  I’m currently on a bus from Porto to Lisbon. I’ve booked a hostel for a few nights and I’m going to drop my pack when I arrive and go to the gay pride party. 

Last night was the Festivál do São João in Porto. I’m on a slow WiFi connection, but will post photos later. It was a good time, but I ducked out before the fireworks. I’ve not been sleeping too well on this trip, mainly because I’ve been staying out late and my body never lets me sleep past 7am. I am going to need to embrace the siesta lifestyle of mid-day-napping or go to bed muito (lots) earlier. 

I’ve met so many new friends!  Dan and Steve have been my closest new friends. Dan is the Canadian that I told you about before; the more I learn about Dan the less I feel like I know, he is so complicated and fascinating. Steve is an awesome German, he has invited me to stay with him when I visit Germany in August — we will see how that plays out.  I met another cool guy named Benedict from Cologne Germany. 

I’m sending messages on couchsurfing, requesting to stay with people in Prague, we will see how that works out. 

Random thoughts…  Lots to say, lots to show. I hate updating this thing, I’m thinking about keeping a travel journal in addition. Custard tarts are amazing and I’m becoming addicted to espresso and café Americano. Alcohol isn’t treated like a big deal here. Dogs poop on the sidewalk and no one picks it up. The fruit vendor doesn’t let you touch his cherries, but he will not get bananas for you – that you must do yourself. There is an order to things, you must find that out for yourself. 

I’m going to visit Sintra (again), the monastery place I cannot remember the name of and do a beach day, perhaps the gay nude beach. 

Life is good. I’m done writing for now. 

Cheers. 

I have no idea how many people are reading this thing, but I’m sorry I haven’t been updating it as frequently as intended – real life has been getting in the way.  I am making memories that will influence the rest of my life in ways that I cannot even fathom.  I am living as fully and openly as I ever have. Traveling sans planning is unbelievable, you truly have no idea what the days have in store. The people are incredible if you give them a chance. I haven’t really personally met any Portuguese citizens while I’ve been in their country, but I hope to change that while I’m in the north. 

I’m on a bus, stomach growling, about to head to Porto Portugal, the birthplace of Port Wine – or so I assume. I’m traveling with Dan, my new Gaynadian friend. He is a sexy and sweet guy, very laid back; Dan has been traveling for two years and I have much that I can learn from him.  I planned to check out of my hostel today, and Dan was going to Porto (which I really wanted to see); I invited myself along on Dan’s trip and he accepted my invitation, he really is a nice guy. 

This is Dan, my northern neighbor (when he is home anyway) and myself:

While I was (not) planning this trip, I had an image of myself, jogging, along the Douro River (Porto is in the Douro Valley). This country of Portugal is one of extreme beauty. The United States is so new – by world standards – whereas Portugal is something like 1400 years old. I believe their first roads were built for foot-powered stone-tire cars and brontoburger was the inspiration for future chains (like McDonalds).

Last night I had homemade buckwheat risotto, with salade, made by two wonderful lesbians (Cory and Sophie) that were staying at my hostel. They were also from the US and they are bicycling all over Europe. The two of them changed how I view lesbians, for the better; maybe the international brotherhood of lesbians should consider them for ambassadorship. I brought red wine to the party, a full-bodied red blend, that cost me less than $3.  That’s right Cher, $3. 

This trip has been full of firsts, including:

• First time having my shirt off in public since the Clinton Administration
• First swim in the ocean — first swim in anything really – I never knew how to swim until I took lessons a few months ago
• First hostel and airbnb stay
• First sardine 

I may start a separate post to remember all of the firsts as they occur. 

The city of Lisbon has an incredible vibe, a certain pulse that feels incredible when you have your finger on it. The city is fairly easy to navigate, can be relatively inexpensive and has something new around every corner. Portuguese food is simple and basic — meat/fish, potato, salad and ranges in price from 5-6€ in the locals restaurants to 20€+ in tourists restaurants. A good rule of thumb is if the restaurant has photos of the food, and people waving you in, then it is a tourist restaurant. I imagine Porto will be more of the same, just with a more tranquil pulse and larger portions of food for less Euro. 

Tonight I’m being adventurous and staying in an $11 hostel – which is as cheap as it sounds. I will be in a 4-bed dormitory and will hopefully have people in those beds, rather than a colony of bedbugs and other fun things. If I post a photo of a bonfire, you will understand why.  

I’m thinking about staying in a house boat tomorrow. $21/night. How cool is that shit. It sleeps 4, let me know if you wish to join. 

I feel like I was very close to being in a fist fight yesterday. A person in the train station felt that I had slighted him and my attempts to defuse the situation were falling upon foreign deaf ears. My new friend Kyle, from British Columbia, helped me to absquatulate the situation. We took a train from Lisbon to Sintra – an ancient city, not the Crooning singer guy. Yesterday’s aggro incident was the first on this trip, I was fairly shocked it happened, and I could see the headlines about the “American” attacking the helpless local – especially given my history with the media. Here is a photo of Kyle at Sintra. 

I’m learning to use my words less, my ears more and that there are  universal hand signals to communicate with most people. I am going to test a new charade later to explain “foot fungus from hostel shower”.  The bus is now stopping in Fatima, Portugal, which for you religious people is home to the prophecy girl.

This trip is costing much more than I had planned on, but I have an amazing benefactor. She is an amazing relative that I feel we have very much in common, are very much on similar paths (of personal growth) in life, and have shared a kinship ever since she tried to eat my french-fry at Vic’s Pizza.  Even though I did not share my fry, she and I have been very close over the years.  Next time I will try to charge my travel to the Underhills. 

I’m learning a lot on this trip, unfortunately the cost of the lessons are quickly adding up. 

I will be in Porto for two or three days. I will go back to Lisbon after Porto as they are having a big gay pride festival. After that I may spend a day or two at the gay nude beach. Things are very interesting and different here, in a fun and relaxed way. 

Lisbon is built on many many hills. 

Mom, it is time to stop reading this entry…

Lets talk about sex for a moment…

When I was planning for this trip, in my over thinking way, I thought I was going to be a giant slut, but not so much (so far).  I’ve met no one, in Portugal, for anything more than meals or companionship. It isn’t that I do not want to have sex, it is that life has been so interesting without it. I figure if it happens, it happens, but I’m not going miss out on life changing experiences for something that is most likely not.  I could always use the giant bag of condoms, as balloons, for the local children (I think that some of them may even have fun fruit scents and flavors).  

713am and I’m blogging, rather than sleeping. Not how I planned to start the day. American children are problem children. 

Yesterday was such a huge day of firsts for me. Swimming in the ocean, trying sardines, navigating this place with a little less difficulty. Taking life as it comes, sleep or no.

This place is magical, but the sun is coming up and about to shit all over the majesty.