Lots of travelling over the last few days so sorry for the lack of updates. We left Budapest on Friday at two by train and travelled to Prague where we caught a Student Agency bus to Amsterdam. Everything was on track and then the bus broke down somewhere in Germany, close to the border. It wasn't too bad, after all, we did get the chance to "visit" Germany and I helped fix the bus. Once it was up and running it was only a few short hours before we arrived in Amsterdam.

We came on a Saturday night and the street was full of people. The atmosphere was just like it was described to me, with a carnival like feel. Everybody is just walking around with a wierd look on their faces, a cross between "I can't believe it", "YES! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! THIS IS AWESOME" and a constant giggle. It feels like a festival or something to that extent, a few main zones that everyone goes to but something to do anywhere you turn left. I've been to Amsterdam as a cub but this is not how I remember it at all. It is truly different from all the other cities so far on the trip.

Since we have been here we have just walked around and tried to get oriented with the city. There are a few things we were told to do as well as some business that needs to be taken care of. Yesterday was the first full day we had and it was full of walking around and checking out the city and locations we needed to be at. We were told by Peter Moskos, an author who wrote the book "Cop in the Hood" (which is about his experience as a police officer in Baltimore for a year) to check out the Boom Chicago, a comedy club started by his brother. It was great advice, the show was very funny and it was a great atmosphere.  I was able to talk to a cast member about the protest and he mentioned having a friend who was a writer for the show, so maybe the word will get passed along. Peter also told us to go to the St. Nicolaas Boat Club, which we have signed up for on Tuesday. We also looked for Cafe de Balie, where we plan on meeting up with the people from the Detroit Unreal Estate Agency. Lucky for us, they are all in the same area.

Today we walked around the city of Budapest and saw only some of the many sites there are to see in the city. We began on the Pest side of the river by walking towards the direction of the Danube. We didn't really have a plan besides seeing things that looked interesting. When we reached the river we happened upon a tour run by Free Tours and joined them. The tour was great; we were able to see many things as well as learn the history. We walked across the first bridge of the city, the Chain Bridge and headed up to the castle. It almost looked like Pittsburgh at one point, with the bridges and an incline! At the top of the hill we were able to see a great view of the city, both Buda and the Pest side. One of the more intersting moments of our trip happened when a group approached us while doing a scavenger hunt. We were asked to perform a scene from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Of course we participated and re-enacted the scene where the Ark is opened. Needless to say, it was freaking awesome. In addition, I was able to get some good protest shots, including one at the Office of the President of Hungary. After the tour we walked back to the hostel, ate some food and crashed.

Yesterday we took the train from Bratislava to Budapest. The train was nice, we rode in reserved coaches at the cost of 2nd class seats. I just bear-ed my teeth and it happened. Actually, anybody can do it. It only depends if someone has already reserved the booth whether or not one is allowed to ride in it. So we had a peaceful and safe ride and were able to enjoy the countryside along the Danube River.

When we arrived in Budapest things got a bit confusing. We went to the wrong location, actually to another hostel, but not only did they point us in the right direction, as we were leaving the lady at the front desk said "Don't you want me to call them for you?"! Only in Europe! Once we found our hostel, the Astoria City Hostel, we chowed down on some food from the supermarket, checked out the plans for the next day and crashed.

Today was the big day. We got up early (well, early enough....) and headed out for the Megyeri Bridge. Let's just say it was it was no walk in the park. We had to take the Metro to the Nyugati Station and then catch a train to the Dunakeszi Station, which is at least 10 km out of the city. From the station it was a one hour hike through the wilderness (ok, it was actually on a dirt path for much of it, but portions went through untamed wildgrass) and dangerously close to the highway. Finally we arrived at the destination.

Once on the bridge the protest began. For about an hour I staged the ultimate pwn: I took over the bridge that Colbert couldn't. What Colbert couldn't do was done by Habitat for Hamtramck, the bridge became the Habitat for Hamtramck Bridge and we danced and cheered and celebrated our victory. I had as many photos taken as I could stand to take, and then I filmed some videos. So now there really is no escaping us. How could he? He would be a.....coward! There really is nothing more that needs to be said.

After the bridge we went to Kistarcsa to the site of a former concentration camp. All that remains is the corner portion of a wall with a bit of barbed wire. I of course respected the grounds and didn't even think of using it for anything but rememberence and contemplation.

When we left Kistarcsa we headed back to the hostel. After all, the most important evidence of the journey needed to be uploaded for the world to see. So that is where we are now.

Yesterday we arrived in Bratislava and today we walked around the city with a guy named Chad from Colorado. We met over some Zlaty beer and a common interest in playing music. His band is called the Trembling Earballs, they are pretty good so I would recommend checking them out. First we went up to a castle on the top of a hill and tried to get in, but it was being repaired so it was closed. We were able to get a great view of the city and the old Soviet style apartments that could been seen just across the Danube. After seeing the city from the top we went into the heart of the old part of the town and walked around a bit. We stopped at a local restaurant and had some traditional Slovakian food. Then we saw the inside of the main church and enjoyed some more Zlaty back at the hostel. All in all it was a pretty tiring day but I was able to take my protest into Slovakia.

The next day we woke up early to catch some breakfast and a train to Hungary. Now we are planning out how to get to the crown jewel of the protest, the Megyeri Bridge. Some wanted to call it the Chuck Norris Bridge, others wanted it to be the Stephen Colbert Bridge. It is about to be renamed the Habitat for Hamtramck vs Stephen Colbert Challenge Victory Bridge in my book.

Today we took a train from Prague-Holesovic to Bratislava. The train ride wasn't bad at all, the stories you hear about the Eastern European trains and rampant theft seem over-exaggerated. I'm sure if you are a drunk obnoxious tourista then you will be a target, but when you are a respectful and mindful traveller then there is nothing to worry about. Just sit next to a family and you are fine. Or be a bear with a Steelers sweatshirt and Penguins pin. You will be fine. But if you are Colbert you will probably be scared of trains and thus scared of Eastern Europe, or at least still salty about not having a bridge named after you. Speaking of which, we will be going to Hungary....if we can, we're going!

Anyways, Bratislava so far is a very nice city. When we arrived we were a little lost but a very nice lady came up to us and pointed us in the right direction. The hostel is nice, the beer is good and cheap and everyone is friendly. We haven't seen much of the city, but we plan on seeing as much as possible during our stay.

Today we stayed in Prague. We arrived by bus at 10 AM and found our hostel by 11. After, we headed out for the main area, the Old Square. When we got there we found an art gallery that specialized in Salvador Dali and xxxxxx Macha. While the work of Dali is well known, easily recognizable and attributed to him, Macha is somewhat different. He is most well known as the Absinthe guy who does portraits of women. After the gallery we stopped for a bite to eat, which turned out to be traditional Czech goulash. It was very good. Mix that with a few Czech beers, and you have the making for an early night. However, I was able to carry out the protest in the main square. Just call it the Prague Uprising of 2009....

Our last day in Rome was more about planning our trip to Eastern Europe than doing tourist things. We spent two hours at the internet cafe figuring out exactly what we were going to do and how we were going to do it. The plan resulted in one night in Prague, two in Bratislava and three in Budapest. We planned out which trains to take and which hostels to stay at. After those few tense hours we went out to eat for one last Italian dinner: pizza and pasta, of course. The next day we got up went to the bus station to catch a ride from Rome to Prague courtesy of the Student Agency bus. The ride was great, they showed movies with English subtitles and served complimentary hot drinks (your choice of coffee, hot chocolate, cappucino and caffee latee) throughout the ride. It wasn't too hard to sleep either. The total trip time from our hotel in Rome to our hotel in Prague ended up being about 24 hours, including waiting around and walking. So it wasn't that bad. So now it is time to carry out this protest to the Eastern Bloc.