Sunset of Europe. Age XXI
You probably thought now, reading the title of my opus, oh, the young lady was drawn to philosophy, maybe now she will remember Schopenhauer, but no, I'm just sharing my impressions of the trip to Europe. Maybe this time I will be more subjective and chaotic. But this is my impression.
Route: Kyiv-Cologne - Brussels - Paris - Brussels-Cologne-Kyiv.
The first stop: Cologne. The flight from Kiev to Cologne takes a little over two hours. Studying the issue of moving from the airport to Cologne, the forums wrote that you need to buy tickets for the train in the machine, near the platform. Now there is a kiosk selling tickets to S13 at the airport. This will save you from "communicating" with the "ticket machine". Although he also is. From the airport to Cologne can be reached in 15 minutes by train, which runs every 20 minutes ticket price 2.
40 euros (if you are more than two people, I recommend buying a ticket package), I do not remember the name, but if necessary, pick up the records - it's cheaper. The usual, in our view, there is no composter, you need to look for it with your eyes and show intelligence. Yes, next to the ticket machine there is a small box, similar to our mailbox - this is the place where you need to "punch" the ticket. By the way, it is valid for 90 minutes and can be used in Cologne. Arriving in Cologne is difficult to get lost, the main attraction (Cologne Cathedral) can be seen from all sides.
The hotel was booked through booking, as always, happy with the site and the hotel itself. Not far from the station, it is in the center. I was not very lucky with the weather, but we took a walk, looked. I will not say anything about the cathedral, but I will say one thing, I was cold there.
Thalys (international high-speed train operator) booked tickets in Kyiv. Cologne Brussels Cologne, Paris Brussels.
Tickets are expensive, but if you buy in advance and look for special offers, you can buy tickets in Brussels for 19, and in Paris for 27 euros. Booked tickets on the company's website.
Stop a friend: Brussels. Early in the morning we left Cologne. 2.5 hours and Brussels.
I was in Brussels a long time ago, 5 years ago and what I saw impressed me ...not for the better.
Europeans have disappeared somewhere in Brussels, there are everyone, but there are no Europeans themselves. It feels like after the Arab Spring there are only Arabs in the city, the city center is Arab. You can sit without Arabs only in the center! Where expensive and some tourists. Book an apartment 10 minutes from the metro station Belgica, and, in fact, not far from the center (on the map). But when they got out of the subway, they realized that only blacks and people of Arab appearance lived in the area.
I asked what they live on and got an answer very quickly. They steal! Everywhere! Barely loosened his grip, and all, you do not have a mobile! Tablet!
Take everything that is bad! We got caught. They stole a laptop. We asked the owners of the apartments what to do after they took him out of the subway, he answered, probably nothing, you will spend more time with the police, and there will still be no help.
God bless him with a laptop, but where did the illumination of the central square go? ! ! In my opinion, the European Union has gone too far with its liberalism. And I'm sorry, I began to wonder if I want to go to Europe, there is not only European life, quality, but already the Arab-African population and they are close there. and here they will have a place to roam. Do I need it? ! ! We need? !!
A separate topic is the homeless. There are many of them, they spend the night wherever there is a free and warm place. Especially love the subway and train stations. It feels like the police are chasing them, but infrequently.
She witnessed police trying to push a pair of homeless people and what a surprise it was when homeless people said they only knew Russian and the police were following a known direction to the letter "X". I am generally silent about the smell.
The small towns of Bruges and Leuven on the way back were happy. There is still something European))) The fastest way to get there is by train from Brussels Midi station. Note that train tickets for the weekend are almost twice as cheap.
Stop three: Paris. We got there by bus. 4.5 hours. The Paris Metro surprised. If once it was necessary to compost the ticket at the entrance and exit, now only at the entrance. And the controllers are gone! There were cases, and I got into this moment when the passengers at the exit were holding the door and a crowd of passengers was passing through it. I saw how people just jumped over turnstiles. This is normal?
This is Europe, where we want, however, in Asia (Russia), I also do not want, we have been there!
What else to remember. Be attentive! Prices in the center are much higher than a little aside! It is cheaper to buy tickets for public transport at once - 10 (about 1.3 euros). The cost of a single trip is 1.7 euros. Want to get to Notre Dame de Paris? Find out about the days and hours of visiting - the cathedral is open 3 times a week. . I did not go to Lure, but the Basilica of the Sacré -Coeur - a place where I do not get tired to return))) I did not ride the boat, it was very cold! So I do not give useful information.
They lived in Montmartre, it was beautiful, wonderful and where the spirit of Paris was felt. The view from the window resembled a picture from the movie Amelie)
Brussels again. Thalys returned to Brussels. Hotel for one night. Miracles monk beer. Night and again Thalys.
And here we were waiting for a complete "garbage". What to say, they are to blame.
It seems that the train to Cologne makes two stops and at one of them a bag was stolen from our shelf and I sin against the Arabs again. They looked behind the suitcases and pulled over their heads. What to say here. Arriving in Cologne wrote a statement to the police provided all the information about how it all happened (all places in Thalys-i nominal) and silence. We complain that the police do nothing for us, believe me, there too! They don't even answer letters or calls. Can Angela Merkel write, do you think?
This is such a journey. Learned to use the train and subway, not so scary. Talked to the police. In addition to booking a good site "online apartments" - satisfied. There will be questions, I will be happy to answer.
Good morning to you. And be careful, especially on vacation.
