The real update...

Sorry to report, we won´t have pictures for a few more days. Looks like I need to get a card reader, so I´m guessing the next electronics store I will find will be in Krakow. So, you will just have to imagine the scenery...pictures never do any justice anyway :-)

I explored Vienna for a day, which was nice, but I didn´t need more than a day there. I called my host to let him know I was on my way and he was so sick he could not get out of bed. I decided I would just find a hotel once I got to Bratislava...no one likes to entertain when they are on their death bed. I took the fairy down the Danube to Bratislava, which was an interesting way to get there, but the train would have worked just as well. While on the boat there was a group of about 10 obnoxious men from Northern Ireland wearing kelly green jersies and spilling beer all over everyone...my first goal once I arrived was to ditch these men.

I arrived in Old Town, which is aboslutely breathtaking. The cobblestone roads are a maze, leading to beautiful courtyards and old architecture. There were beautiful outdoor cafes lining each road which I couldn´t wait to try out...until I noticed they were filled with kelly green jersies. I found a quant little hotel that looked perfect, but unfortunately it was sold out. As I wandered through town, each hotel was booked. As the sun was starting to set and I was in desperate need of a shower and food I realized it was time to get serious about my search for accomodations. That is when I came to the realization that I might have to sleep in a hostel. I walked into the hostel and asked if they had any private rooms. She said "No, all of the hostels in town are full, but you can try the big hotel across the street." Upon entering Hotel Kyjev, which I am assuming was communist housing at one point, I noticed a sea of kelly green jersies. It didn´t matter, I needed a bed. I booked a room and headed to the elevator, where 10 drunk irish men proceded to hit on me...I pretended I didn´t speak english when one of them said, "You´re American!" With my hair matted to my head and beads of sweat dripping down my face, I fessed up, but I am still wondering what made me stand out as an American.

The room was like nothing I have ever seen and wish I could share the pictures. It is my new standard for worst room ever. But, it was a place to sleep. I grabbed some dinner and called it a night. However, the Irish men stayed out until 5am singing drinking songs on the streets. So with very little sleep I ate breakfast and was out of there. I ventured up to my host´s apartment for some peace and quiet.

His apartment is in a neighborhood that was once communist housing. It is kind of eerie to see building after building of these blocks. It is very similar to the projects in a big city in the US...but with even less character. We explored Bratislava for a couple of days which was a lot of fun. We had a picnic at the old castle which was beautiful. Had some amazing Slovak food and of course, awesome Slovak beer. Which brings me to my final story of the Irish men, who come to find out were in town for a soccer match against Slovakia. It had become a joke among our group that the Irish men were following me everywhere, because everywhere we went a group of Irish men would show up...and they were LOUD. So we found a quiet little pub where we were the only patrons and ordered a beer which was literally equivalent to 3 pints. While peacefully enjoying our beer we heard this chanting in the distance. I said, "Oh my gosh, it´s the Irish men!" No one believed me...but sure enough, here they came marching down the street, thousands of them holding their flags and singing. The best part, they were escorted by the Slovak police who stopped traffic so the Irish could march on. So as much as they annoyed me at times...it gave me goose bumps to see such pride and team spirit.

I am now in a beautiful little village of 600 people, where I have already experienced the best rum I have ever had and the most beautiful stars I have ever seen. And the best part...my host´s father is a wine inspector. He tastes and judges all of the wines in the Central region of Slovakia. So he is going to take me on a winery tour of the best "underground cellars" in the region. I cannot even tell you how excited I am for this experience.

I still do not have a plan and am just taking things one day at a time. While I could spend the rest of my life in Slovakia, I know I have to move on at some point. I will touch base in the next couple of days. Hope all is well with you!