I finished a book. High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. I have to say I loved every bit of it. Its one of those books that you are dissappointed when it ends. You want more. Getting near the end, I started to read less each night because of that fact. I wasn't ready to finish it. If you're a guy, read it. You'll be able to relate to it, some will more than others. It is very much comical. Also with the music influence, I enjoyed it a bit more. If you're a girl you'll enjoy the book as well. And in the process will learn maybe a little bit more of what goes through a man's mind.

First week of classes has ended and I'm excited.

Friday I had to do a presentation on Virgin Atlantic Airways with my small group for services marketing. We met at 2pm the day before and worked out at 10 page paper, and a hour and a half Powerpoint slide show. Pretty impressive. It went well, but could have gone better if there was more interaction from the class, which it is suppose to be. Still talking to the professor, she seemed to think it was good and wished the class would have particpated more. She missed the first 15 minutes because of a late train. It was pretty funny presenting when she wasn't in there because we know the audience, our class doesn't care about what we are talking about. Due to time constraints we still had to go ahead. Two random side notes: I think the teacher likes me, not in that can I see you after class kind of way. But my group noticed it too, she sort of lights up when I talk or am able to contridict a student with research findings. I wonder how far I can go on charm alone. The other note is Virgin Atlantic is a pretty creative airline at least if you ride first class. They have tailors on board, massage table (with seatbelt), beauticians, and have other nice perks like serve ice cream. They do seem to be at the forefront in terms of innovativeness.

Last night I went to a Beer Cantus, something I did back in January when I arrived. You sing 80s songs and drink a ton of beer inbetween songs. Theres rules too, so if you screw up you have to do something on stage. While I didn't get sick, it is sort of ridicolous how much and how quickly you drink beer.

Dutch weather has kicked in. Raining. Not fun to go anywhere, yet I had to get to the library.

I went grocery store shopping yesterday and I've pretty much have fallen into a routine. All I eat is pasta, quesidillas, PB&Js, cereal, salad, yogurt, and fruit(this I change up). Pretty boring, but when others cook it is always something different and usually good. I wish I had a cook book, but then I look at everything that is packaged and usually have no idea what it is. So anyways my deodarant is getting low, still have a good week or so, but I figured Im at the store go ahead and pick up another stick. Now Im hoping for an American brand, I got to aisle and now I was just hoping to find deodarant. They had one brand and one type, a roll on. I'm not a fan of the roll on. I like the stick. There's a better grocery store I'll check out. Maybe thats why a lot of people smell, including the guy directly next to me.

Another random side thought: Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night because of a sound or something going on. You're awake, but really at the same time are asleep. You have no idea whats going on and it takes too much effort or time to comprehend whats going on around you. Last night I woke up to people yelling, at around 5 am. I think the kids from UNC were still partying. Anyways I heard a lot of cussing and a lot of shut ups. I think it was the Asians who were mad, because I think UNC people were being loud. But I can't be for sure since I was in that half aware state. Still I found it amusing. Through the airvents you can hear conversations from throughout the hall.

I had my first day of European Community Law. There are a ton of exchange students. I'd say half of the 90+ students or so. This is a huge lecture class for Maastricht, all my other classes never surpass 12. I like the smallness because you get to know others, but then you have to be more alert and up to speed with everything which is a negative. Anyways this class is not in the Business school, but some other building. Well Im the first one there and take a seat. I really shouldn't even be in a seat, but a pew. I'm inside a huge church. Stainglass windows, 50-60 foot tall ceilings, flying buttresses, everything. It's kind of cool, but once classes started I saw the downside you can't hear the guy too well. His voice just carries. Then if someone coughs or whispers, or squeaks their chair that is all you can hear. The professor is trying to get a different lecture hall for us to use. I hope so, because if I'm day dreaming or so I have to deal with Jesus in the stainglass window staring me down directly in front of me. I know he's like you are sinning Dave. Stop it Dave. Probably not, but its amusing to think about.

So this class was kind of intense. Not so much as outside work like my other classes just material. Its law. He talked pretty much two hours straight on it. My hand still hurts. Later we have to go buy copies of a lot of treaties and get to know them. Article XII, in section 3 paragraph 2 states.....Looking forward to that. There is also a book that goes along with it. The professor said its law so its boring. I don't expect you to be able to read more than 5 pages an hour. I just bought the book. The pages aren't that big, but I hope the material isn't that technical. I can think of a lot more I'd rather do in an hour than read 5 pages.

Friday morning, time to pick up the car. Since we are doing this on the cheap, the four of us decide to get the smallest car possible that can fit four. We get a Ford Fiesta, with a diseal engine....stick shift of course. I drive it back to the dorms to pick up the other two people. Small cars are really no fun. I have the seat all the way pushed back and my legs are still touching the steering wheel. Plus the stick is shaking like crazy. Still I make it back without going down a wrong street or hitting a bicyclist. We are off to see some famous gardens close to Amsterdam. A half hour outside Maastricht and we hit traffic. Like bumper to bumper traffic. Like I want to get out of the car and walk traffic. We found the problem a hour later. There was a stop light. A STOP LIGHT on something equivalent to an interstate. Stupid Dutch.

So we get to the park and pay for parking and the entrance fee and see some flowers. They were pretty, I guess that is the best way to describe them. Seeing how some people in our group felt ripped off and wanted to bring back something they decided to steal some little gnomes. They were everywhere, 6 inches tall or so, all white little things. I kicked one as joke and its head fell off. Felt bad.

The garden was nice, but was more amazing were the fields before it. Row after row of blooming flowers, mostly tulips. Truly every color of the rainbow. It was very much a Kodak moment. Even have a shot of the flowers with a windmill mill in the back ground. Cant get more Dutch than that. We then had some dinner in Utrecht and headed on home. We went 300 kilometers over our limit, so the rental ended up being 27 a person. Thats close to a 120....for a FIESTA!!! Still we had shopped around and didn't see any better rates.

Saturday I worked out and that was it. I really have no clue what I did.

Easter Sunday went to see the Amstel Gold Bike race. There were a ton of people and bikes down there. Still for as big of a race as it was suppose to be(it was televised) I didn't think there were too many competitors. Well I saw the US postal service team represtenting. After that we went to get some coffee and hang out in one of the town's squares. Im actually starting to like cappacinos, weird since I never like any coffee product. It was the first Easter I didnt make it to church. I felt kind of bad. I even heard one of the churches ringing its bell to call mass. Still told God hi, said a little prayer.

Monday, another big day of nothing. It was raining and everything was closed so it was a good day to stay in. I finished a book and am about half way done with the next. I think in the last three weeks Ive finished 5 books, an incredible feat by my standards.

Brings us to today. I went to an earlier section of class hoping I could switch in and kind of helping a friend who wanted my seat in the later section. Well I got into the earlier and she wasn't allowed in the later. Im happy I made the switch for as soon as I saw the professor one word came to mind. American. Bullseye, straight from the heart at Indiana. She seems nice and easy going, I think the class will be interesting. Since there is 11 of us, just a ton of interaction. Shes also an interesting lady and if I had to describe her I would say she's a firecracker. Bad news, a hour and a half presentation with paper is due this Friday. Theres three of us and itll be nice to be the first and get it done. We will have one more in three weeks or so.

Tomorrow will be the first day of my other class. My friends back home finish in two weeks and I am just beginning. Its a frustrating little thought, but then I need to realize that Im in Europe. An opportunity that not everybody gets.

I finally found a place here in Maastricht that plays jazz. Now it wasn't live music, but its going to have to do.

Ok, so I had problems registering for a course back home. I thought I could take it, found out I couldn't, tried to switch but missed my small window they gave me of 48 hours. So I decided to go ahead and email the professor about seeing if I could get forced in. Here's an excerpt from his reply

"I'll print your e-mail and give it to our program adminsitrator who will get
you on the official roster.

Before you fully commit to the class, I do want to alert you to a slight
change I'm making. because of severe budget cuts, I'm being paid about half
of what I received for the same course the past 3 summers. So I will teach
the class with enthusiasm, but there will be no papers, quizzes, tests, etc."

Honestly could I ask for anything better. The professor in the rest of his email sounds interesting, the kind of guy who is really there for the students and loves the subject. Also it was good to hear him say he will get me on the roster when I've had problems trying to get a hold of my advisor.

Well this week it looks like I might be going for a country side drive. The tulips are in bloom and weather is beautiful. Oh I need to mention the group I'm with wants to rent a car and they can't drive stick. So it looks like I will get to do some driving. Windows down, radio on, and Maastricht in the rear view mirror...........

Seeing as I have absolutely nothing to really do here in Maastricht I decided to go ahead and get a jump start by reading my marketing book. Its not that bad of an idea when I realized I have to have read all 20 chapters at then end of 6 weeks. Not so much to read, but memorize. Thats how exams go over here. You don't learn much in class, more or less they want to see if you were able to understand the book completely. So the class is services marketing and here I am in the library outlining the chapters. It keeps on mentioning books or studies composed by a Len Berry. This is the same professor I have heard speak to us at a Fellows meeting back at A&M. It is the same Mr. Berry that teaches services marketing back home. So if I didn't take the class here I could have experienced the real thing. Then I realize I don't care all that much and just want a high grade and credit for the course.

As it gets warmer I leave my window more open. Once again showing how the Dutch are stupid there are no bug screens. This is not because insects don't exist. It's my conclusion that they are cheap just like in everything they do. It drives me crazy grocery shopping and before they leave everyone is itemizing their receipt. Heaven forbid if its off by 23 euro cents. Anyways I had to kill a bee in my room.

It also amuses me how I have things I could be doing. Like writing a marketing paper for a class back home or trying to start my full time job search. All these involve having a computer, but I can only stand being inside a library so long. Since its also a 15-20 minute bike ride away I feel its only worth going to once. Recommendation for those studying abroad: bring a computer.

Well the roommate has now left for Paris and sometime early next week heads for the US. Its funny because his school isn't too happy about him leaving the program early. So there is a chance he might have to come back. I'm thinking the chance is pretty slim as today I moved all the furniture and made it more comfortalbe for one person. Now the two beds are next to each other so its like one big bed. Living up the high life in the dorm.

Other news, did the laundry and whatever I bought did the trick. Everything is white again.

Other good news. Ran into an old group member from the Project Management class, i.e. the class I dropped. I was curious to see how it turned it out and he said he didn't know. He wasn't even there for the presentation, but decided instead to go traveling. He said it was probably a good thing I dropped out. I have to agree.

After my journey, its always time to do laundry. Now there is this one shirt I usually throw in with the colors, but since that load was full I thought why not, go ahead and throw in with the white. This shirt is white with green sleeves, softball style. Now I have washed this shirt many times and never once did the sleeves blead onto the shirt itself. I was in the clear. Not so. After the wash I noticed everything had a slight green tinge. Took out the shirt, washed everything again. At 3 bucks a pop, not too happy. Still after that wash, a green color was noticeable, even if slightly

Today, buy bleach. I walk up and down the aisle hoping to find good ol Clorox. Not to be found, I asked a lady about bleekmiddel(bleach in Dutch). She pointed me towards toilet bowl cleaner. Now I am sure that there is bleach is in this cleaner, but I just don't think Toilet Duck was meant for my clothes. I walked up the detergenant aisle a bit more until I found something meant for whites. I hope it works.

Sad news: My roommate leaves tomorrow for Paris and then that weekend heads home to the ol US. He is the guy I get along the best with. There is a chance he might come back at the end of the week. NYU is considering putting him on academic probation for leaving the program early. Who knows. I guess a room to myself won't be all that bad.

More sad news. The weather is continually warming up. Its in the mid 70s. Now this is usually a good thing, but it just makes me wonder how May and the beginning of June will be. The dorm is already a bit warm, and with no AC can only get hotter. I also think the library and Business school don't have this modern convience. Let's hope they do.

Worst News: Budget. Yesterday marked the two month day. Two months till I am in Texas. It was also a day I was looking at my bank account and was disappointed. I had set a limit that I didn't want to go over. Well I am already there, and still have two months to go. Two months is a long time. Looking over the finances it seems most of it was spent while I was travleing. Food, hostels, and the traveling itself seems to add up relatively quickly. It is because of this I don't see myself going anywhere this block. Luckily I've already done a considerable amount of traveling. However if anyone has some extra money and can throw it my way it would be greatly appreciated. Mom, Dad, I know you are reading this...hint hint. I'm just kidding, I should be able to manage...hopefully.

One more thing... I lost my gloves. These were my favorties gloves. Grey with leather on the inside. Putting them on always reminded me of the cold mornings in Montana starting up the ol Jeep and heading to high school. I'm hoping someone found them in the hostel. I don't think I left them there, but in a park in Budapest. One more reason to not like that city.

Budapest continued.

Half the group was there already and we were suppose to meet up with them. We bought our strip of subway tickets(this will be important later) and headed into the direction of the hostel. So it really wasn't a hostel, but a crappy college dorm. No beds to sleep on, the situation was weird. We decided to go find another place and luckily we found one. We then went to eat because we had some time to kill. There is a girl from Maastricht who is from Hungary and she would become our tour guide. The food in Hungary is some of the best yet. Flavorful and huge portions.

Anyways we met up with her and she showed us around. Saw Parliment, Budapest castle and some other sights. I was impressed, because I was thinking if someone visited my hometown would I be able to give them a tour with a lot of interesting facts. I really don't think so. I was happy she came along. Besides the sights we would see that day, I was very dissappointed in Budapest. I thought it would be an exotic city , something more along the lines of Instanbul. However it seemed like some streets in Philly I've seen. Give me some cobblestone at least instead of pavement.

The next day we were to go see some country side of Hungary and go to the hometown of Katti's. Once we met up with her there she took us around. We saw the 4th largest catherdral in Europe. Tbese buildings are magificient, hundreds of detailed sculptures, mosaics, paintings, gold covered, etc. It truly is a feast to the eyes, but an ache to the heart. Catholism, Christianity exists for the people. If there is a god, he is a loving God, kind, and not concerned with material possesions. A God who wants people to live a pleasant life. The money that has gone into these churches is a complete waste. A place to worship is different than these lavish buildings. The surrounding town is absolutey poor. This isn't just in Hungry, but in all the countries I'vé visisted. The church always stands out from everything else.

Now we were to go to another town. Since we met up with her she decided all the girls should ride with her and the boys take a bus. Thats fine. The bus wasn't. We all were standing up, I was pretty much on the bus drivers lap. Eventually it started to clear out and we were able to get seats. The bus ride was suppose to be for a hour, but we didn't know where to get off. All the bus stops didn't have a sign. We asked and we always got conflicting answers. At one stop the bus driver kind of gave us the nod to get off. Some people on the bus agreed, others didn't. We got off, and Katti and the others were no where in sight. I just started laughing. I knew we would be ok, but we seriously had no idea where we were or how to get anywhere. The situation was humoruous and the other guys agreed.

I need to make a point how there were some Koreans with us. Their English was decent, but I taught them some things. They never heard of a bad attitude when I told Phil he had one. I was joking. Well once he learned about it, he kept on telling everyone. Now picture a Korean with an accent saying....Dave you got bad attitude, you need good attitude. He honestly said this about every ten minutes, the frequency more than that at times. Everytime I laughted.

So we decided to just go ahead and walk, thinking they might up the road further. They eventually found us walking and apologized for being late. It seems the girls went out for dessert.

This town was nice, and its here I bought a true toursit souvenier. Postcards. So I bought a few of those, but I bought something else. A huge hand carved chess set, each side over 2 feet long. It looks really nice, and it was something I wanted to buy in Czec, but thought them to be too expensive. Well in all honesty this one wasn't cheap. After the conversion it came to over 120 euros, which is pretty much on par with the dollar. Well I bargained for over 30 minutes and go it for around 65. It'll be a conversation piece when I have a place of my own. Which really isn't that far down the road.

Back to Budapest. Well I am now heading back to the hostel and using the subways. I bought a strip of 20 rides, but split with another guy. I was going through these strips fast, but I noticed you didn't have to validate them. There was no turnstyle(probably wrong word) to prevent you from entering without a ticket. So half the time I didn't validate them. I noticed now and then they had guards waiting at the top of the escelators to check tickets. I risked it enough times that I got caught this one night. I figured play the dumb tourist. Show them my validated tickts, saying I must have dropped one and could I just give them a new ticket. She basically kept pointing to the fine and said sorry sir. I honestly feel I could have said my name is Bobo, I am monkey and I eat bananas for every meal. She would have replied with the same answer. I payed the hefty fine of 6 euros. Not that bad at all.

Budapest is known for their thermal baths. We decided to go to one. Everyone was excited, but I had an idea of what it would be like. Supposedly we went to the most famous one there. The water was warm, but it was all indoors I felt like I couldn't breath right. Also the secenary of old fat guys wasn't that appealing. But hey, Im sure there are some people out there into that. We stayed for a hour and left. I walked around a bit more with some others, I then decided to go ahead and make my way back to Maastricht. I knew it would be a long travel on the rails.

I have a few subway tickets left and so I did validate them every time. On the last subway, who should be waiting at top with thoughts of ruining peoples days, but the Metro guards. I proudly showed them my ticket, and was soon told to move to the side. The dialogue was pretty much this: sir, ticket, es no good. sir pay. ticket, es no good. I was nice saying what do you mean I validated, etc. Group ticket, no good. My blood came to a quick boil. I hated Budapest all the more. The conversation went on for 15 minutes. I lied and lied. I told them I didn't have money. She pointed to an ATM. Said I don't have one. I was like you can have all my change. Shes like passport sir. I was like I dont have it. All lies. I was like I want to talk to someone else. The guy's English was limited as well. Basically this is why it didn''t work. I bought a group of tickets and you are suppose to keep them all together in the bounded strip they came in and not separate them. This is written in fine print in English on the back. What the hell. How the hell was I suppose to know that the back of the tickets had instructions. Well they had been separated since the first day. Seeing this wasn't going anywhere so I decided to made a run for it...only in my mind. I gave in and was like wow I found some money in my pocket here you go BITCH....in my mind as well

I took the train to Vienna, and this was the first time I felt truly uncomfortable with my surroundings. I came out of the train and tried to figure out what train I had to take next. Whats nice, in Western Europe you can go to informatoin and they will print out a schedule showing times and places of arrival and departure, what platform etc. Budapest didn't have this, they didn't have computers. I knew I needed to get to Vienna and then find a train to Germany. So here I am in Vienna at night, it wasnt barren, but not busy at all because night trains don't come too often. I was looking up at the signs. The one where numbers flip(for some reason I always love watching them flip). Then went to the info desk, which because at night was closed. Then I spotted them, two guys. I'll call them Simon and Garfunkle. Simon was the shorter of the two with dark hair and the one that did the talking. The other one was taller, with frizzy hair and was quiet. He looked a little scary. I could tell they were talking about me as soon as I saw Simon point me out to Garfunkle. I was like this is going to be interesting. I turned around and headed to where there were some people sitting. Just try and do something in front of a group. Still they were right behind me and wanted to talk. Here's pretty much the conversation...whats in bold is what they said.
can we help you
No Im fine
You looked lost
Well I figured it out, thanks
Whats your name
Dave
Where you from
Canada....Vancouver
Well we want to talk to you about god and Jesus....do you believe
(Now usually I will tell people my doubts and belief, but this time around I was going to agree with everything they said.)
Yes I believe
What does he mean to you
He died for our sins, we should live a good life, etc(I use this word a lot dont I).
What else
(Now in my mind I was like this is not the reason they want to talk to me. My eyes were firm, my face expressionless, but inside my pulse was rapidly increasing. These people might have met no harm, but this night I was not going to be the naive kid I usually am.)
Im done talking to you
Why, I want to know more about yoru thoughts
Well I really am done talking to you, have a good night
Please, talk to us, I want to learn more
(With heart thumping in my chest, my tone turned to anger, while fear was inside. I kept glancing from behind to see if someone was trying to get into my pack, to see if there were trying to distract me from a third member...even though I padlocked the top zipper. Garfunkle's glaring eyes werent helping the situation yet. He hadn't said anyting yet.)
Listen, I dont want to talk to you anymore, bye
(Not once was did I lose solid eye contact with these guys. If something was to happen I was ready to start throwing fists. Now let me emphasize these people might have been ok guys. Its just I dont want to be talked to by random people on a random night in a random country, all alone
Im sorry, I just really want to talk. I want to understand
(They weren't leaving, and the adreneline was throwing through my veins with my blood. I decided to draw the line this moment. With voice raised, and my eyes full of fire and narrowed on Simons beady browns.
Leave me the FUCK alone.

They turned around and walked away, glancing back occasionally. I hadn't hadn't moved yet and kept staring in their direction so when they did glance back, I was right there.

Laughter broke out next to me...a welcome relieft. Two college kids...what the fuck was that about they were asking. We did the introduction game. They were two kids from VMI who were just about to jump in until I yelled at ol Simon and Garfunkle.

That is pretty much the end of my adventure. In the next 16 hours I would be riding trains, switching 6 times. Returning to good ol Maastricht.

This should be a long post. Read only if you care to. I actually don't expect anyone to really enjoy these entries, as I do not plan on reading them until I grow old. I feel when I am in the 70's with graying hair(that is if I have hair) I will look back and see the world I did when I was 22. I wonder if I will view it the same.

Long trains, short trains, day trains night trains, taxis, trams, chairlifts, subways, and busses. This is my journey of the past 10 days filled with sights, stories, and small things that interetested me.

I long for a computer in my dorm room. While it is good to go outside, I miss the comfort of TV or music on and being able to hop on the internet to surf or email. I haven't used IM for more than 10 minutes since I've been here and that was early February. So here I am now at library. I must say it always feels good coming back to Maastricht. Especially this time around. I have been on trains straight for the last 22 hours. Clean shaven, nails clipped, and smelling like a soap I try not to smile as my lips are chapped and crack. Its hard not to.

Wednesday the 2nd, head to Innsbruck, Austria alone(I would meet up with friends in the Czek later). I was taking a night train through Germany. I met a guy from California. We talked awhile, but he departed in Cologne, spelled Koln in Germany(I wonder who decided to change spellings for the English). So now I am in this small car, that during the day would hold 6 passengers on a busy trip. The car is empty and I prepare myself for sleep. Sleep did not come over me quick and swiftly as it usually does. I stared at the small door and the curtain drawn over it with open eyes. I heard foot steps and watched as shadows danced in front of me. A ballet of sorts I didn't care to see. Images in my head appeared. Usually with a guy and a knife. Images associated from Hollywood and the like. I feel asleep eventually and would be awoken by 3 Swiss boys in their mid teens. They were going all the way to Munich, the same station where I was to switch trains. I no longer could lie down, but would hope they would go to sleep. Quite the opposite. They decided to take bottles out of their pack and drink. One passed out and had a hard time waking up.

That Thursday I got into Innsbruck. I wanted to just drop my stuff off at the hostel. Actually I wanted to take a nap but wouldn't be allowed to check in till 5pm. I followed the directions I was given. But when I was to switch busses the one I needed was not on the street it was suppose to be on. Armed with a map, I found my way. So that day I walked around Innsbruck. I would have liked to have seen the mountains, but it was cloudy in the higher elevations. With nothing to see, I walked around aimlessly for over 8 hours. A hightlight was going to McDonalds and just sitting down and reading a book. It was a way for me to get out of the rain.

Next morning I went skiing. I went to the nicer mountain and the snow couldn't have been better. Tons of fluff, sometimes as deep as my knees. I rented gear including gloves and pants, but they did not have goggles or sun glasses to borrow. I damaged my eyes to say the least. I don't know why they were blood shot. Poor visibility, staring at white all day, snow and ice hitting them, or the occasional sun. All I can is that they were red. Eventually they cleared up. Still I can now say I skiied the alps. One more thing on my life long list I can check off. A few others include owning a convertible, sky diving, and having a family.

The next day I was to meet up with my friends at 7 in Prague. The earliest I could get in was just 10 past 7. I hoped they would still be in the room. Now I have a train pass that is good in Austria, but in Czeck. My plan, get to the border town, buy a ticket. Actualallity was quite different. I tried to buy a ticket, but Austrians said I would have to buy it from the Czeck. I didn't have their currency, but hoped euros would work. I met a mother and daughter from Arizone, and she said good luck because she had been kicked of before. Well my pass worked. They didn't pay close enough attention to it. I can't explain how relieved I felt, and how this act would cause me to commit other such acts, some would fail. Now this train was small and the worst one I've ridden in yet. I can't believe I got there, as I was sure the chickens and goats through my window were laughing, knowing they could beat this mechanical beast in a race.

I arrived into Prague. This might be the first time I truly felt lost. I hadn't looked up where the train station was or where the hostel was in comparison(another reason for a computer in the dorms, easy access to researching trips). I tried to find an ATM, but with no luck exchanged currency instead. I'm sure the rate wasn't that great. I decide to go ahead and take a taxi. This car had no safety belts, I noticed the speedometer didn't work, but the driver seemed to know his way through the cobblestone roads. Tackling them with grace, it made me long for my car. Driving, something I hope will never be taken away from me.

I don't want to go into detail about Prague. I saw the clock, went to a Communist musuem & Natural history museum, took a walking tour, saw Prague Castle, Jewish Ghetto, and old town square. The city is beautiful, food ok. Just try and not pay attention to all the tourist shops that are more present than the McDonalds and the KFCs. I saw an acoustic guitar performance. They played songs by Vivaldi, Bach and the sorts. Truly a great show, and one made all the more interesting when being played in a church. I bought a CD of it, my first souvineir purchase.

Don Gionvani. An opera Mozart created for the people of Prague. The people I were with wanted to see a marionette show of it. I was guessing it was a good tourist trap. The stage would be in someones basement and us sitting on bean bag chairs. Close enough, it was in an attic. I wonder how hard it is to control these puppets. Watching them clumsly walk around stage I feel I could do better....even at the young age of 6. The music and plot were entertaining though.

I thought Amsterdam was forward with sex. Ok, it is. But I would have prostitues come straight up to me in Prague and start talking in English. Which brings me to one quick point. Why is it always beggars and crazy people I meet speak English. So now these hookers were trying to get me to purchase a service I had no desire in. One even grabbed my ass and said sex discount. I wondered if the ass grab was an attempt to get my wallet. A wallet safely secured in my front zipped pocket of my jacket. I must add here that the weather in Prague was miserable. Some of the coldest weather I've experinced in europe.

One night, we had a guys night out and decided to go to the Cabaret close to the hostel. This was my first strip club experience, and I can also see it being my last. I'll admit the girls were beautiful. It was also cheap and a different scene than I had expected. They just dance and no one throws them money. For some reason I seemed to be the popular one there. Several strippers would get of the stage and give me a short lap dance. I wondered why they didn't go for my friends next to me for their lap was just as available as the next. So now most guys would love this, I didn't care for it. If the lights had been turned on Im sure my face would have been as red as the bricks on the wall because of embarresment. If you like, you can go downstairs for a private show. So after the dancing the strippers would mingle with the crowd to help convince you to purchase such services. 3 out of 8 in my group did, I turned the offer down.

The next day were to take a bus to another Czec town. However the planner of the trip couldn't figure it out. I need to bring to attention the fact that I was excited of meeting up with group in Prague. I didn't want to be in control of knowing where to get to places and etc. In the end I realizd relying on such people will get you no where literally. That day I spent in Prague discovering it on my own. A group was a diverse group, but a numerous amount were from Korea. American is very much indiviualistic as many times I tried to get the group to split up so everyone could be happying doing what they wanted to. To them a group consensus was a neccessity, one that would lead us no where. Anyways, I also found bookstores with English dialogue. I purchased 6 books. I also hurridly wrote down other titles I would like to read, but didn't want to carry them around for the time being. I've realized if I dont write down what crosses my mind that instance it will quickly be lost for my mind is continually busseling with thoughts. I also keep a list of songs I want to download when I get home.

Next stop Shittybest, I mean Budapest, but it is shitty. That too was a night train. One in which sleep was often broken because of crossing borders and having passports and tickets checked. Made for a long night. And this has made for a long entry. I shall continue on tomorrow.

You know what I miss from back home. Syllabus day. That day where all you usually get is that document and instrutions on what is about to come. My one class doesn't start for another two weeks and the professor has already emailed us telling us what we need to read. Back home I usually do read the books, but there are times when you don't have to. Here, they are all about the reading. I've realized the setup finally, its all about theory. They don't teach practical at all. I personally think they should switch to a combination. Anyways, we have to pick up our syllabuses before classes even begin. I don't care too much for that, but when in Rome....

So tomorrow begins another break. This one is about two weeks long and I should be gone for most of it. I can't wait to travel, see something new.