The Estonian Philosopher.

[Stanley Edwards]

I just pissed in their generator

They can't figure it out

1,500 martyrs they're proclaiming. Martyrs for fascism. These are very, very, very ugly people. It's going to take a very good person to change my mind about Syria. Rich kids abusing their freedom with absolute ignorance.

I'm going to trip over something next

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Retired to my hotel satisfied with spoiling the multimedia display

They aren't drawing a crowd. Most people are just passing by and spitting.

What a very ugly bunch

 

[Stanley Edwards]

It's another wet Sunday. Nothing coming in - all going out. Although, I may try and find a dry pitch to work. I have nothing better to do!

I've been in Strasbourg for some time now. Why? Why do I get 'stuck' in cities? Familiarity, routine, safety... Every new city I reach I have to go through the same struggle...

A) Find income. Find a pitch that I can work. Many variables come into play here. I'll do this in another post.
B) Find cheap, good food. Not as easy as it sounds. Healthy eating is very, very important.
C) Find an affordable bed. Good sleep is as important as good food.

When you've found those, you sort of get a bit comfortable with it.

Until you get bored

Time to move! I can walk to Germany from here in 20 minutes and explore these €35 train tickets.


I know many people who have been following my blog are trying to do the same as me. Some reading here also (forget the piss taking idiots). I haven't actually told anyone how you do it. It may look easy. It may look like a holiday. It isn't - you have to work.

I'm a bit of a 'formula' person. Everything I do, try to do, I break down to Three fundamental principles. It makes things easier to understand. And, it works. It will work for anything, not just art. Whether you're making and selling jewellery, busking, sand sculpturing, performing... anything. There are 3 simple principles you can follow. It doesn't matter if you're any good at what you do! Stick to the 3 fundamentals and you will make lots of money on the streets/beaches.

So...

Principle Nº1. BIGGER IS BETTER.

Put on a show. Get noticed. You need to command a space. As an artist, a small eisel and portfolio of sketches is useless. I work on at least One 3 Meter x 1 Meter sketch at a time. If I need cash I work on Three large pieces of paper. People cannot ignore it. GET SEEN!!! Very important.

Principles 2 and 3 come another day. But principle 1 will guarantee at least €80 a day anywhere, anytime. Even when it's raining.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

That was Strasbourg. I liked it. Met many good people. Got good work.

I'm taking a break for a couple of weeks to see if my foot will recover given a chance. Heading to Vienna, then Bratislava, then chazegee's pad. I would like a bit more cash in pocket for contingencies, so I'm going to work Vienna for a morning, and possibly Bratislava for an afternoon.

I have very nice bottle of wine and train tickets. Lots of rain today, but it looks like a beautiful evening to enjoy a window seat through the Black Forest.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I'm in Vienna. The weather is fucking disgusting. I feel like I've just taken a train 3 months into the future. It's the middle of October here today. Gales and rain. Totally unworkable.

Getting here was a nightmare. First train connection missed which inevitably screwed all others. No chance of getting to Munich in time for the Vienna train. Spent the night in Munich station. Even the 600 bed backpackers place was full. Then took earliest possible train to Salzburg. Too many tourists - not enough real people.

I need to make more cash to take a break. I need a break. Still suffereing from allergic raction to bedbugs. Feet still fucked and now blistered. Mt stomach is not good. Shitty chest infection.

Somehow, I am going to make €200 today in this weather and get the train to Bratislava. I ended up paying an extra €80 to get to Vienna. Over €200 in total. And, somewhere enroute I lost my sketches again.

Vienna has some beautiful stuff to sketch mind.

 

[not-bono-ever]

some lovely Klimt in Vienna if thats your thing Stan - also the Danube isnt blue in vienna as you may have worked out by now

Budapest is only a boat ride away if you need to get some down time in the thermal baths

 

[Stanley Edwards]

some lovely Klimt in Vienna if thats your thing Stan - also the Danube isnt blue in vienna as you may have worked out by now

Budapest is only a boat ride away if you need to get some down time in the thermal baths

It is very nice for art, architecture and 'sophisticated' stuff. A bit to fresh and windy here ATM for me to enjoy though.

Heading to Slovakis tomorrow, and then onto Czech Republic (just across the border) to meet old friends I haven't seen for years

Thing that sits uncomfortably with me about cities like Vienna is WTF?, and How TF? Did it all happen. London also. All this grandeur that us common folk are now allowed to see. The talk of how the rise of the middle classes brought about this newfound freedom. And, yet the clubs with dress codes still exist. The eclusive crap is still admired by some. Posh, trendy wine clubs here. They just aren't comfortable places to be as far as I can tell.

Vienna has been wet and very rainy. Despite that, I did extremely well. Complicated, but good. I've made friends with the unofficial 'street people market manager'. Told him I'm here for a day and possibly returning in a few days time for another. Told him my business etc etc etc. He's been very good. Offered help. Sorted commissions and even made a sale for me.

Vienna is complicated. There are time and place restrictions. Musicians are licensed to perform in certain areas after 5PM. You are not legally allowed to sell - performance/art only is tolerated to a certain extent. There is a 25 Meter rule. No-one allowed to perform within 25 Meters of the next person. And, you're always liable to a minimum €70 on the spot fine if you get the wrong police on the wrong day.

None of this is ever as straightforward as it seems. But, I'm sorted here for €200+ a day whenever I need it.

I don't really like Vienna. As magnificent as the grandeur is, I'm happier in a World without it. Nasty fucking city as a pedestrian also. I would guess I've spent a total of one hour waiting at pedestrian crossings already.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Somewhere in the deepest, darkest depths of Slovakia a crazy English, alcoholic claiming to be an artist has arrived. I like it here. The place has character, and BIG beer at just 90 Cents a pop.

I shall start asking for Mr Chazegee in about an hour. Then I'll start wondering why I don't know internet persons real name. Then I'll start wondering why I came into the depths of nowhere to visit someone I have never met. If it's all an internet joke - I like it. It will come back with added humour one day

 

[mitochondria]

thumbs up, Stanley. have a Zlaty Bazant

 

[goldenecitrone]

thumbs up, Stanley. have a Zlaty Bazant

Apparently there's a sudden shortage of Zlaty Bazant and several other types of alcohol in southern Slovakia.

 

[moonsi til]

woo hoo how exciting. I heard on R4 the other day about a TV programme about buskers. I think the gist is that it was a competition to see who made the most money. Amongst them was a celloist, a painter & a squeaze box player. Probably more but they were the only ones on the show.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

woo hoo how exciting. I heard on R4 the other day about a TV programme about buskers. I think the gist is that it was a competition to see who made the most money. Amongst them was a celloist, a painter & a squeaze box player. Probably more but they were the only ones on the show.

Yep. Fuckers have stole my ideas


Right! I'm back on this thread after a very enjoyable break. I'm about 260KM from Bratislava with no cash. Mission is to get to Vienna which I know is good for €300 a day. Then onto Berlin where I have 2 big jobs to complete. Then, well, I think I'm going home to Granada and doing the second leg next summer. Stuff to sort etc...

 

[Stanley Edwards]

FFS! Just missed my train somehow. 3 hour wait for the next one to get me to Bratislava by midnight. I will arrive cashless waiting for morning. €15 buys a ticket to Vienna from Bratislava and freedom.

Long night ahead of me

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Vienna is still exceedingly wet I am craving the dry climate and bright sunshine of Andalucia.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I'm in a very nice Turkish cafe somewhere in the suburbs of Vienna. Nick Cave currently playing on one of the most bizar, culturally and mucically mixed up TV magazine programmes I've ever watched. I'm warming to Vienna. Beginning to like it lots.

Despite the rain, the weather, the ostentatious 'beauty' of the center and all that attracts. Despite getting hassled by an ignorant fuckwit policeman today for nothing. Despite many things I don't like, get away from the center and it's actually a very cool city. I've booked a room for Three more nights despite the weather forecast.

Stupid policeman attracted a very large crowd. I threatend to prosecute him for criminal damage if he carried out his threat of ripping up my sketch. I was sketching for a very beautiful, lovelly person who was working in a close by, famous name designer shop. I told him that (stupidly) and he marched into the shop to find out if it was true. She got trouble from the boss. He then backed down and walked away humilated. Fuck knows what he was going to charge me with. I may even make a complaint this time.

State of play...

Healthily cashed-up.
Tooth problems treated.
Foot still a bit fucked, but workable.
General health recovering from a week with chazegee.

Plan is to head to Prague from here, then directly to Berlin where ...

I am going to create a proper 'walk-in' cinema screen. A film screening you can quite literally walk into and 'mix-it' with the stars. The theory is all 100% in my head. It will be weather dependent, but I'm pretty confident it will work. Confident enough to go for it without test runs. Gonna be fab

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Weather strategy...

Pissing it down again. I think that's day 15 without sunshine. The forecast for Prague is absolutely dire Vienna looks like it will get a couple of dry days. So, I've taken a gamble on booking a bed for 2 extra nights here. When it's dry, it's very, very good.

Grey and wet. No work possible today. I'm in a suitably morose mood to go visiting cemetaries and searching for the tombs of Beethoven and Mozart. One of the graveyards here is home to over 2.5 Million dead souls. I'm told people are still dying to get in the place!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

STOP MY THREAD FROM DYING

Right...

I am still determined to reach Russia one way, or another. Cash is comfortable, but my foot is still fucked and I need to get back on the health wagon. Police in Vienna have told me where I can work. Some Vienna police are dead sexy I have enough cash to go straight to Berlin without worrying for a couple of days and completing commissioned jobs.

I have changed my blurb to "attempting to walk to Russia" cos I really don't think I'm going to have the time (this year at least).

Perhaps 2 more days here (weather permitting), give Prague a miss (because the weather looks shyte) and get a train to Berlin.

I've found a really nice hostel in Vienna - Hostel Ruthensteiner. It is the best hostel I have ever stayed in. Highly reccommended.

 

[davesgcr]

Its really good - sort of W H Davies ....

Berlin - try the Prater beer garden or Yaam down by the Ostbanhof - should be good there for trade by the East Side Gallery.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

The train on platform 8, leaving at 22.08 will go directly to Berlin.

Wot! You mean I can get drunk and stoned and get a train and go to sleep and wake up 11 hours later in Berlin?

"Hello train ticket seller person. I'll have me one of those €130 Berlin tickets please "

So, why the fuck did I wake up in some god forsaken eastern backwater of the Czech Republic at 4am today?

Because nobody told me the train split that's why. Cunts. And, these Czech tossers are more fiercely anti-Euro than us Brits. Not a penny of Czech money. No cigarettes.

Back in Vienna, I'm going to try again. Apparently the day train doesn't split.

Berlin - you are elluding me at the last hurdle.

 

[dessiato]

Hey Stan! I've not had internet access for a couple of weeks so not been able to keep up with your travels. Great to see you still hanging in there continuing you adventures! Good luck with the trains

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Berlin!

Made it with €30 to spare after having to pay for extra train journeys

It's a bit damp. Very humid last night. I felt like Fungus the bogeyman. Drenched with sweat from the inside whilst the 110% humidity was drowning me from outside. Think I'm heading straight to Alexanderplatz to see how my 'work' is received by the officials.

Berlin could be spectacularly good, or it might be a total non-starter.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Its really good - sort of W H Davies ....

Berlin - try the Prater beer garden or Yaam down by the Ostbanhof - should be good there for trade by the East Side Gallery.

Going to try your suggestion today. I worked Alexander Platz yesterday. It's somewhere I have always wanted to sketch and all was cool except the money! Berlin is the biggest city I have tried to work to date, and I am finding it a little difficult. Too many distractions. Too much competition.

I'm down to €8 and have to buy new paper, pens and a train ticket. This is not going to be easy!

A can of beer might help

 

[Stanley Edwards]

The weather is total shyte. Think I'm on day 24 of rain. It is wet, windy and cold. People were wearing scarves and stuff yesterday evening. This is August

I am struggling with the weather and not getting a very good reception on any of the pitches I have worked so far. Commission enquiries are coming in slowly (mostly as a result of established contacts from the wedding reception show).

I last visited Berlin almost 8 years ago. Few things have changed. Most noticeably - prices. Drinks are the same price. Snacks are the same price. And, you can still buy a 2 bedroom appartment in the centre for €50,000. How did a European capital escape the banks??? Perhpas the truth is that there isn't any money here.

I still like Berlin. Still one of my favourite cities. The only thing that has really changed is that it is a whole load more touristy. It's gone all bier and bratwurst with designer goods to sell to the new money from the East. Not my crowd at all. I'm going to hang on for a bit of sunshine and find the American students. They're always good to me.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

OK. Back to winning ways. Four sketches sold today plus a gift of new very nice pens - I like them lots.

Only small rain today. Someone came up to me to tell me how friendly I looked. Very nice. And, then...

Who is this? It is Urban75´s very own Madusa looking as hot as ever strolling into Alexanderplatz. Nice amicable hello and chat. Sure it´s no secret we don´t see eye to eye on some matters

I have not been well for the past 3 days. Almost took a flight home, but feeling much better now, so...

Onwards and upwards!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

And the rain continues

I think this is a full month of non-sunny days. I am missing Granada. This hurts. Working on the streets in every dry moment just to clear the basics. Fuck raising anymore money for charity. I'm 100% focussed on looking out for me. Cheapest bed tonight - €60

It's too fucking expensive!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

OK. Berlin is good when it doesn't rain.

I have connections/contacts here. I've also met many people I know from Granada. Mostly performers looking for a pitch at the festival. The festival organisers have been fantastic - thank you!

But, the cash just isn't here. I am moving in a sort of sideways direction

 

[Stanley Edwards]

OKEY DOKEY: iT´S GETTING VERY STRANGE!

Fixed my keyboard. Deep breath and clam Stan. Calm.

Pissing it down again. I am soaked to the bone. I have just €25 left.

I met a man with black and red nail varnish who invited me for a bed for the night. I am going to chance it. This is definitely gay town Berlin, but I want a free, dry bed.

I am not going to do anything penetrative. Oh no!

On the plus side, I have been invited to join a very interesting project in a small German town. They give me a free bed and pay a day rate. I am taking it. They seem like a cool bunch.

Red & Black nail varnish!!!

Where is this going to end?

 

[Stanley Edwards]

All seems cool

Me and my new mate get along just fine. He may be a bit tran, but not gay - not that it matters at all

Chris has a very nice appartment in a very cool part of town at a very reuced rate. Moved in illegally initially. Now he has legal occupation at just €180/month for a very cool pad indeed.

Nice guy. Glad I met him

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Btw, do you have a trust fund or something?

The whole time you've been on these boards, you've been on vacation somewhere.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Btw, do you have a trust fund or something?

The whole time you've been on these boards, you've been on vacation somewhere.

I make money. Normally.

I'm quitting! (sort of)

For many reasons, I've decided Berlin is far enough. Mostly the weather - me and dampness do not get on. Other reasons also. I have been getting ill far too often. Nothing serious, but stuff to look out for.

I'm making my way back south to the sunshine Via Croatia, Italy and possibly Greece.

Berlin defeated me. Too many fuckwits and they mostly came from Russia which sort of put me off the idea of going there. Five times yesterday I had to deal with thieves and piss taking cunts.

Difficult enough to make money in Berlin (regardless of weather) without thieving twats from Russia (well, that's where they came from).

But, the people of Berlin were fantastic. Offers of beds almost every night! I know the city well, and it's almost as much a second home as London. Fun city, but it's not a wealthy place.

I may start walking from again from Vienna next year. However, this is enough. I'm making my way slowly home