I'm back in Krakow, in this absolutely wonderful hostel (Greg & Tom - will gladly advertise for them), and even though I wasted a non-refundable night at the hostel in Wroclaw, it was definitely worth it. If only for that fact that it's hamburger night tonight here at Greg & Tom. How awesome is that? I mean, I just said how much I wanted a hamburger.

I was planning on taking a 0ne pm train to Krakow today, but I woke up at about 8:30 and decided I couldn't be in that hostel for one second longer. We were just not meshing. So I threw everything in my bag, did not change my clothes or eat breakfast, and managed to make it on the 9:30 train. I kind of regretted the no breakfast decision after awhile, because all I had by way of sustenance was a package of Tucs (the European version of Ritz crackers) and half a bottle of water for a 51/2 hour train journey, but alas I survived. Just remembered - before I leave Poland I HAVE to go to a bakery and get some Paczki (jelly doughnuts that are delicious). I've been avoiding it, because I knew once I started, I wouldn't stop - sort of like with the Hits and Nutella. But I only have one day left, so I think I'm safe.

I've spent the afternoon trying to decide where to go on the rest of my trip. I heading to Budapest on Wednesday, but after that, I don't have any plans. I found an extremely cheap flight ($24) to this town in Romania, and from there I can take a bus to Brasov, the main Transylvanian town. Without planning it at all, it seems I'll end up there over Halloween, which should be very cool. After Brasov, I'll probably head to Bucharest, the capital, and go from there. It's so great that flights are cheap. Not only am I avoiding having to spend 14 hours alone on a possibly unsafe overnight train, I'm saving about $75 in transportation costs.

They have these high-tech showers here, and I just realized today that they even have a little seat you can pull out and sit on. Cool, but I don't think I would sit on it in a hostel. Wait. I just realized I sit on communal toilets with my bare butt all the time. A shower would actually be cleaner. Now I'm really disgusted. That's one of those things I try not to think about, because it's not like I ever develop a butt rash or anything, but communal toilets are gross. Uh. New topic.

I just had two "hamburgers" but I'm not sure how much real meat was involved. I got really excited, and then I actually saw the patties - these skin-thin, crispy, orangish things . . . Oh well, it was free, and they had a ton of fresh veggies, so it still ended up being good. But alas, it did not sate my desire for a giant cheeseburger.

A friend that I made at the hostel in Istanbul is heading to Cairo next week and asked if I wanted to come - what an extremely tempting offer. I mean it's Egypt! I would probably have to fly home early if I went, since I'd run out of money. I think it might be worth it though, even if I have to sacrifice the rest of Eastern Europe. Chances are it would be easier to get back here than it would be to ever go to Cairo in the future. Plus Cairo alone isn't advisable, so shouldn't I jump on the chance to go with someone else? Whereas I can always go to Eastern Europe alone. I'll have to do a bit more research before I make any decisions, especially such a radical one as this . . . and judging by my past life decisions/trip decisions I probably won't go . . . I guess I'll sleep on it and see where I end up tomorrow morning. I have the whole day tomorrow to just chill, so I should be able to sort some things out. Let me know what you think I should do . . .

Happy Birthday Amy! Grandma asked me to send a postcard . . . but I didn't . . . I always think of things like that when I'm laying in bed in the middle of the night, and never when I'm out during the day. And since I can't read any of these languages, it's not like I ever notice post offices to remind me . . . and then I lose track of time . . .


****Wow. I didn't realize how cheap Cairo was. Hostels are about $8 a night, nicer meals are about $5, the metro costs 20 cents, and it's only $6 to roam the Pyramids . . .