Well, I am finally sitting by myself, after 6 weeks of "interesting" family traveling. It was a long 6 weeks, Starting in Paris, traveling south through France, into Italy, and around including Perugia, Torino, The Cinque Terre, Amalfi coast, and Rome. After 4 days in Rome, seeing the sights, the Vatican, Trevi fountain etc, I decided to launch off on a completely different tangent, to shake off the "family" feel.

And so, on Friday morning, I waved off Dad, Annabelle and Lucas in their cab, and took a walk around Rome to try and let the feeling of solo-ness sink in. It didn't really happen, and so I bought some pizza, had some coffee, and went and packed. I decided to make the walk to the train station in Rome, as I hadn't really done any walking with my pack and all. It was a long walk, about 30 mins.... It was also about 30 degrees. So I arrived a the main station sweating profusely, with my t-shirt at least 3 shades darker and saturated. I found my Eurostar train, which was going to Udine, in the far north of Italy. Got on my cool, air conditioned train, and sped out of Rome at what I reckon was quite a bit faster than 200 kays an hour. At Udine, I had a three hour wait for the train that would take me to my destination, Prague. My train to Prague arrived just before midnight, so I lugged my pack onboard, got directed to my compartment where my bed awaited me. Got to the compartment, which was pitch black, and had not only my bed in it, but 3 other people and a total of 6 beds. The other people seemed to be sleeping, so I didn't turn a light on. There were no blankets or pillows, and apperently nowhere to put my pack. so I got my towel out, put my jacket on, and attempted to sleep while the train took me into Germany. I was sleeping with my pack on the narrow bed, which was interesting......

Got woken up at 6:30 with a German police bloke tapping my leg and demanding my passport. Which I gave him and got it back with a stamp. As it got light later on I realized I could put my pack under my bed, so I did that and chatted to 2 of my roomies who turned out o be Brazillian. Got my passport checked again at the Czech border, and then went on to Prague. Once I got to Prague, I put my pack on, got the map out that Grace gave me (which was very handy thanks Gracie), and headed for the first hostel on my list which I had compiled online in Rome. This place is in the lonely planet, called Tyn Hostel, and is just off the main square in the old town. I didn't expect to get in to the first place I checked... But after I went into reception and asked him if he had any beds, he had one available in a five bed dorm. Being my first hostel experience, I was pretty nervous about it all but the receptionist was cool and asked me to help him with his english textbook, which I did. got my keys, and a 2 night stay to settle in. The receptionist gave me a beer for helping him out, so we had a beer while he told me a bit about Prague, which was a great ice-breaker. Met 2 of my 4 roomies who turn out to be aussies from melbourne. And I believe the other 2 in my dorm are Swedish. SO.... that is the first official blog, no photos cos these computers have no USB. I'm off to check out this place, but it seems pretty awesome.

I hope eveyone is going ok... message me with any goss...

Ciao