Vienna - Brno (Train)

I'm gently easing myself into this adventure. Travelbug has left me out of sheer frustration and boredom so I find it really hard to get myself excited about this trip, interested even to say the least. But part of me knows I really need this because I'll never have this chance again and I'll definitely regret it when Lent arrives.


Camel greets me on the platform itself. I briefly meet her sister who's heading to Prague for a workshop. Her brother drives us back home from Brno's train station to the small village of Tetcice. Camel and her father then treats me to a tour of the house: it's a work of art and love.


For three years, Camel's grandfather and father built this house from scratch. With two floors and a loft, it's beautiful in its simplicity. Tanks collecting litres of rainwater as well as firewood and gas to keep the house warm make it self-sufficient. Their terraced garden also has plots dedicated to growing vegetables and fruits like ice salads, apricots, grapes, strawberries and what-nots.


You can tell it's his pride and joy. 'You're not a man until you've built a house, planted a tree and fathered a child,' Camel's father propounds to me loudly. And rightfully so, seeing as he's already fulfilled all three requirements.