Saturday, July 4, 2009

I'm always waiting, but what am I waiting for?

The past few days have been interesting.  I left Poland last Wednesday.  I had a flight from Wroclaw to Warsaw, and Warsaw to Brussels.  Both flights were delayed more than a couple of hours, so I spent a good part of the day in the airport.  By the time I got to Brussels it was after 11:30pm and all of the public transportation had shut down. :(  So, I had to take a taxi to my hostel, an expensive venture, and a disappointing one when I figured out my hostel was in the red light district.  Awesome.  

So, I left Brussels and went to Amsterdam.  I met two Australian girls on the train,  gave them a bottle of water and became "besties".   I went with the two girls to their hostel, The Flying Pig, very cool with a bar downstairs and a very chill atmosphere, and stayed there for two days.  Unfortunately after checking-in I lost the two girls because we weren't in the same room, but I made friends in the room full of guys I was staying with, 3 Canadians and 2 Australians.  The Canadians proved to be a load of fun and adopted me for a couple of days, watching out for me and not letting creepers bother me.  (I don't know what it is about this part of Europe, but there are creepy men everywhere!  I've been proposed two twice, one more serious than the other...) 

Sitting in the train station waiting to leave for Milan, I actually ran into two guys from Argentina that I met on the train on the way into Amsterdam.  They too were traveling to Milan and we had the same car because we'd both purchased our tickets last minute.  

  
In the sleeper car on the train.  On the left is Fabriccio, and the other guy is Emiliano.  

Now, only one of them speaks English making conversations between the three of us interesting, but they're both incredibly nice and gentlemanly.  When we got to Milan it worked out for the three of us to share a hotel and we hung out the past couple of days.  They left this morning for another part of Italy, but I'm only here one more day before I fly to Bulgaria.  



Me and Emiliano right after we had to walk back 10 blocks in the rain.  He's picture crazy. ;)


On a side note, the last play I saw in Poland, a piece called Nefes by Pina Bausch, was supposed to have the director come speak afterwards.  They made an announcement after the show that she was sick and wouldn't be appearing.  I was disappointed because she never ever does talks and thought it would be really interesting to hear her speak... unfortunately, she died the following day from cancer.  I saw the last show she'd ever direct.  

weird, eh? 

6 comments:

  1. Where to begin??? It sound like you've been having quite the adventures! I am SO glad to hear you're making so many friends that are fun to hang with and probably do some touristy stuff!! *Jealous!!**
    Any way, Did you get to see any museums in Amsterdam? they actually have (so I've heard) some of the best museums =) Are you getting to do a lot of touristy things everywhere you go? I hope the sleeping conditions (temperature and sunrise) are being more friendly to you!

    That is weird that you got to see the last play that woman ever directed. I'm sorry to hear she passed on.

    I'm glad that guy is picture crazy :) I almost feel like I've been talking to you about the trip, and the pictures really help me to imagine the craziness. (The sleeper car... I really did LOL ) I wanna ride in a sleeper train!

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  2. Oh! btw, Happy 4th of July :)

    Sarah and I are sad you won't be here on your birthday... :/

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  3. well, apparently you're not waiting on life to pass you by! sounds like you're meeting it head on! :)

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  4. Well, and here I was a little concerned about how you were doing. You're certainly getting a different adventure than if you were traveling with someone. Let's see, which part do I tell your grandparents about? The red light district, staying in a room with 5 guys, the creepers. (note: sarcasm) I am proud to hear that you can take care of yourself. You're becoming a world-class traveler. Be careful, though (I had to say that).

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  5. we love the cute pictures (and you!) thanks for filling us in on all your adventures! hope you arrived in sofia safely!

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  6. I just caught up on the whole thing in one sitting (you ever try to call me an undedicated friend, I'll shoot you). I have to say I was simultaniously fascinated, informed and filled with jealousy at the telling of your tale. However I am glad to be caught up and in communication with you. I hope you can set aside some more time to talk amidst your ridiculous schedule and colorful experiences. I see that so many of your comments are populated with advice and words of wisdom so I suppose I should throw in my two cents. I suggest you live by the same two rules I live by and you are welcome to interperet them in your own way.

    1. Always say "Yes" to the universe.
    and first and foremost...
    2. When in doubt, use the "smell test".

    If taken into consideration, those who follow this lifestyle can't go wrong.


    Safest travels and I can't wait to see you again soon.

    Love Rob

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