“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.”
Albert Camus
Breakfast at Oak. Again.
We walk back to the apartment.
Shell is ready to leave. I could stay.
Check out and walk to the station. It is a beautiful cold morning.
Our train does not leave for an hour. Praha hl. n. is not the most glamorous station, but we soon stumble on the RegioJet Lounge.
It is a marvellous place of free hideous coffee, delicious lemon sorbet, and a grand piano that plays itself.
We have a five hour trip ahead.
We are both showing signs of alcohol fatigue when we decline the complimentary Prosecco as the train departs.
“the tired sunsets and the tired
people –
it takes a lifetime to die and
no time at
all.”Charles Bukowski
I have finished Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle. I will start Politics next.
I prefer Aristotle to Plato. The conversation style of writing Plato uses is difficult for me to read over longer periods.
Aristotle has been a refreshing diversion from Moby Dick. I am 400 pages in and have finally seen the white whale. I feel Moby Dick is a book that could be twice as interesting at half the length.
“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”
Aristotle
We arrive in Bratislava and stroll through the city. It might not have the beauty of Prague, but it certainly has far fewer tourists. I like it already.
Check into our apartment. A terrace overlooking the park and I feel like a wine.
Time to organise dinner.
Gratto Matto Ventúrska is a pizza spot ran by two Italian brothers.
A couple of pizzas washed down with Rudyho Záetnícka PaB IPA. A lazy 15% alcohol.
With a full stomach and a slight buzz from too many beers we stroll home.
Bratislava does not hold the architectural beauty of Praha, but it is quiet and has few tourists.
Shell is convinced this is the place for her.
Two interviews tomorrow. South Korea and Tanzania. Work imposing on our break.
The relentless grind is relentless.
