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Honor System
We had a bit of excitement on the way to our spelunking tour this morning. In many countries of Europe, the subway and bus tickets work on a sort of honor system. Anyone can easily get on without a ticket or without validating a ticket. However, you take the chance that an inspector might catch you and give you a steep fine. Our guide this morning told us not to worry about our free bus rides out to the cave because the inspectors don't speak English. And of course, the inspectors came on. We all tried to play dumb and stall while our guide assured us that everything was cool. Then they brought out an English explanation of the rule we were violated and our penalty. Our guide suddenly announced that this was our stop. He pushed the inspector aside as we all got off. We all felt bad about the crime that we normally wouldn't commit given time to buy tickets. We were all under the impression that there would be some hired van or something, but anyway, this is how we arrived at the cave.
Spalunking
After Zoli's friend, our real guide, showed up, we unlocked the door and went into the cave. The first few meters were pretty
spacious, but then we descended a ladder and the fun began. All nine of us wore overalls and helmets which were rigged with battery powered lamps. All of this gear was quite necessary for wriggling, crawling, and banging our way through this wacky cave. It was the most amazing limestone cave. Over four kilometers of winding narrow tunnels and crevasses. For the big finale, we all
turned off our lamps, held hands, and tried to make our way through without falling in any holes. We were quite thankful for our guides by the end.
New York Bagel
According to Let's Go Europe, this new eatery is run by some enterprising graduate of the Let's Go writers. Considering that I haven't seen any bagels in Europe, I think the place is a good idea. Evidently this guy got pretty lucky too. He got to trade his stressful job in New York for something presumably more fun and maybe more lucrative. There are now nine outlets.
Gelert Bath
After rolling around in the dusty limestone all morning, we were in the mood for a good bath. Walked down a ways to a place across the river. I went in for the different temperature baths. It is a little confusing for someone who has never been to such a place. It is slightly different from a hot spring place in Japan, yet very similar to the one I visited in Istanbul. The staff speak just enough English to tell foreigners where to go and what to do. Men get a small apron that fits around the waste. Then you pick out a room with a closet, bed, and curtain where you can disrobe. After locking the closet, you head down to the baths. I started out in the 38C bath because I am used to warmer baths. After a while, it was nice to switch to the 36C. Many people just wading around in these large pools. Some people say that these baths are popular with the local gay community, but I tried to ignore this. After a while, I checked out the steam room and massage room. There was also a swimming pool, but like the massage, this cost extra. I took a quick dip in the cold bath. 28C. I couldn't stand it too long. My guess is that this one is supposed to "cleanse your pallet" before you head into your next place. Spent about an hour there in all, and then the place was starting to close up. I felt refreshed and ready to enjoy a nice evening.
The Goethe Institute
We had heard about free internet access at this place next to the opera. When we showed up though, we found only three machines that were reserved for the rest of the week. One guy at the bar offered to let us use a few minutes of his reserved time. We sat down and had more than a few Cokes, beers, and cafe au laits. Three hours later we had finally gotten to see our mail after passing the time with dangling conversation about life and love.
Hostels
Back at the hostel many of the residents (including one long-term resident who was trying to forget his life and family in Israel) were in for the night. Lots of confused twentysomethings sipping beer and trading superficial stories about the best food or the worst train ride. I tried to enlighten some Britons about the real US, but it seemed that all of us were missing the point
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