Bad Mood – Better Mood
So apparently my phone charges for incoming calls while I'm on roaming, so I'm out of credits. Guess that means we're not going to be talking that much anymore.
On the upside, I guess it only takes a good pizza, half a liter of wine and a cappuccino to put me in a good mood, because I think I'll stay in town for one more night. I took a nice walk after dinner, and I think I've figured out what makes this little town tick.
Besides, I really did have a good time exploring the church and ruins today, even if I was in a bad mood. You wouldn't believe the mix of styles in this town. There may not be much to do, but there is a whole load of history dating back to the late Roman Empire.
I think I'll like Italy just fine. Being in Prague, I'd nearly forgotten the value of good wine, and a nice light meal. There's a lot here that makes me feel like I'm back at home.
I have a feeling I'm going to have that kind of deja vu quite a bit in the next month. There definitely is something about Sonoma County and beyond that evokes the feel, and more importantly, the smells and tastes of Mediterranean Europe. I suppose that might be why I get along so well with this continent, and why I want to move to an imitation-Europe city like Portland.
Anyhow, I think I'll be heading to Croatia in two days instead of one.
New chapter...
In response to Mom's wishes that I meet interesting people: I already have.
To date I've made great friends in Cesky Krumlov at Hostel 99, including a guy from Brazil and an American who has lived in Germany and the Czech Republic for about 7 years total.
I've met a great Canadian woman, about 55-60 who lives in Vancouver who you wouldn't believe. She bought me a few cups of coffee in Ljubljana for no reason, and eventually told me a hell of a lot about herself. She apparently travels all the time because her husband worked for Canada Airlines (vouchers are fantastic). She's made friends with princes and paupers all over the world, mostly because she's just the nicest person in the world. She works on her own, gathering clothes and so on to donate to poor folks all over. She told me at least five stories of lives she's changed, and it really was something.
In fact, she's done even more. She's heavily into wrongful incrimination in the States and Canada. She's actually friends with Hurricane Carter. Suffice to say she was a great person to meet.
She offered me a place to stay in Vancouver the next time I go up, and I'm sure I'll take her up on it.
The other notable person I've met was a guy who was 'from Seattle' according to someone in the hostel. Turns out he's not only from Tacoma, but he lives about 5 blocks from me, and is friends with my neighbors. How awesome is that. Either way, he's invited me to his fourth of July party, so that's a bit of a nice turn of luck.
Hell, just today I met some nice woman on the train who's from Oregon and lives near Sacramento who recommended a load of things to do in Florence, including restaurants and day trips.
It's already been one hell of a trip, and I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot of exciting details.