Goodbye Balaton, Hello Pécs: A Rainy Transit and Cultural Shocks

A Slippery Departure from Balatonfüred

My departure from Balatonfüred was quite dramatic. It was raining heavily, and the slushy roads were incredibly slippery. While rushing to the train station, I had a "curling athlete" moment—I slipped and glided down the slope! Thankfully, I wasn't hurt, but my pride definitely took a hit as I looked around to see if anyone had witnessed my involuntary performance.

The journey to Pécs involved multiple transfers and hours of travel. To pass the time, I finished my book, The Grandmother of All Stories. It’s a touching tale that made me tear up in the middle of a quiet train carriage. There’s something special about finishing a heart-warming book while watching the rainy Hungarian landscape blur past the window.

Arriving in the Historical City of Pécs

By the time I reached Pécs, the rain had turned into heavy, wet snow. Since the hotel was a bit far from the station and the weather was unforgiving, I decided to treat myself to a taxi. It was a wise choice—1,200 HUF for the comfort of not dragging my suitcase through the freezing rain.

The hotel I chose for its prime location turned out to be a step back in time. The building was grand and old, but the room was... a bit of a shock. It had tiny single beds, a vintage CRT television, and most surprisingly, a toilet with a manual water tap instead of a flush button! I’ve traveled quite a bit, but that was a first for me—a true cultural shock in the middle of Europe.

A Bitter Loss and a Warm Bath

After settling in, I realized something devastating: I had lost my power bank. It was the most useful item I had brought on this trip, likely left behind on one of the trains. The realization took the wind out of my sails, and I decided to cancel my evening plans.

Instead of wandering out into the dark, snowy streets, I opted for a long, hot soak in the bathtub to soothe my tired muscles. Despite the moldy electric kettle and the "vintage" vibes of the room, the warm water was exactly what I needed. Tomorrow, I’ll start exploring the beautiful squares and history of Pécs. For tonight, it's just me, some snacks, and an early bedtime.

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💡 Traveler’s Note (Summary)

Category	Throwback Insight (2017)
Transport	Trains to Pécs (InterCity) are generally comfortable and high-quality compared to local lines.
Winter Tip	Melting snow makes European cobblestones extremely slippery. Walk with caution!
Accommodation	Old hotels in smaller Hungarian cities can be very "retro." Expect the unexpected in terms of facilities.
Loss Prevention	Always double-check your seat before getting off a train, especially for small electronics like power banks.