Last Stop on AmyH's Grand Tour

After a very long drive through the Polish countryside, we are in our last city - Warsaw. We haven't made it to the city center yet, but will do that tomorrow. We'll end our trip at a Chopin concert and then it's back to the States.

Our group has been great. I was telling my new friends that there's usually one person who is terribly obnoxious, but since I haven't noticed that person - maybe it's me. Ha!

It's hard to remember everything we saw and did since we began our trip. I can say it's been fun. I could have spent more time in Krakow. So Cranky - if you want to come here and do the salt mines, let me know!

If I had to sum it up, I would characterize the cities so far like this:

Budapest - the girl who is still gangly and growing, soon to shed the nerd glasses and become something beautiful. Approachable and friendly, but awkward.

Vienna - the supermodel who is polite and kind to you, but you know she is too glamorous to have you as a friend.

Prague - the popular girl who is friendly and bubbly to everyone, who is nice to you but she flits off before you can really get to know her.

Krakow - your best pal, the one around whom you are always comfortable and want to share beers.

Warsaw - we shall see.

That's my impression and my feeling. But then again, I'm used to traveling in developing countries and cities that haven't been glossed over or Westernized into generic places yet. Maybe that's why Poland has been appealing. I'm told they are 10 years behind the other formerly Communist countries because they were late in joining the EU. The towns look run down and you can really get a feel for what it was like and where they are going.

I almost wish I spent time here back in 1991 when I did the backpacker thing for that summer. These countries were two years out of the fall of Communism and I would have been able to see how they have changed. At the time, it was enough to visit Berlin and much of East Germany. I guess I didn't trust what kind of accomodations I would have found considering I was traveling alone and sleeping on trains. Maybe I was too chicken. But no sense in coulda, woulda, shouldas at this point in my life.

I'm a bit worn down from all the get ups and goes. I'm looking forward to being home, chilling with Mr. Elv and catching up with my world again.  

For those of you getting postcards - I finally got around to mailing them this morning. I left them on the bus when we were in Prague and didn't see them for a few days until we left for Krakow.

I hope all is well and I look forward to catching up with everyone!