Krakow

Polish is an insane language. It seems impossible that such a long string of consonants (primarily z, j and y) could possibly convey meaning.

Krakow is a very bustling tourist town. THe old centre/square is very beautiful, convivial, full of cafes, performers and visitors. Our apartment is on a a street almost on the town square, so it is very noisy, full of horse and carriages clip clopping all night long.

Poland feels distinctly different from W Europe. As we crossed the boarder from DL, the road suddenly buckled, and we bumped and bounced the next 500 k across Poland. What else feels different? I cannot put my finger on one thing only: the Stallinesque statues in the modern city, the dreary communist style buildings, the smell of smoke in the air (strangely asian), the bagels sold in little wooden carts at every street corner, the women wearing a uniform of sorts: every woman over 30 wears a long, asymmetrical, guazy skirt and slides. It defintitely feels more untouched, more homogeneous culture (nery a starbucks to be found).

JPII is the man of the hour/year/century/millenium. His face is everywhere.

The conference is quite dull. I may not be cut out for these gatherings - make pulling out all my body hair, one by one, more desirable pursuit than sitting through talks, making chit chat.

But, John, am starting to internalize your advice. I think the choices I have been making lately are not quite what Im up for lately. The girls are up until midnight each night, running wild through the town, up at 4. Im absoultely run ragged. I cant quite keep up the pace.

I want home for a rest.