(Read this article on RoadJunky, at http://www.roadjunky.com/article/1804/sleazy-american-businessmen-in-zagreb) At 3 a.m, the topless hooker and the cocaine freak snuck off to a bedroom, leaving me alone with the old, Israeli bazillionaire and a box of hazelnut chocolates. I had an important choice to make. It was my first night in Zagreb and I was staying at a hostel down the road from the Dolac Market. After a long travel day I was in the mood for a drink, so I ordered an Ozujsko at one of the terraces along Tkalciceva Ulica and watched the people go by. Halfway through my beer, I noticed two American men standing outside the terrace, debating whether or not to come in for a drink. As soon as I heard them speak, I shouted out “English!” Not hearing my language for two ... read more

On the way to Vienna from Budapest, I admit that I had a little cry at the thought of leaving David. It was all Michael Bolton's fault ... his song "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?" came on and I couldn't help myself. Thankfully, David was asleep in another row of seats and didn't see me! We arrived in Vienna around 3:30 and went searching for a bank machine, then headed back to the hostel, Wombat's, for a little nap. I went down to the bar to tell Mel (a nice, 35-year-old Aussie woman) that I'd changed my mind about going to an opera with her (which we'd planned to do the night before in Budapest). She looked at me like I was an idiot, and I realized I was an idiot if I ... read more

We stayed at a hostel called Hans Brinker in Amsterdam, a pretty dirty hostel where I wouldn't have been surprised if the beds were riddled with bed bugs. We dropped off our stuff and then headed straight down to the bar for beers. I was with Mel from Morocco, Frosty, Rohan and Lisa. I also chatted with my two roommates for a little while, a nice couple named Nadine and Campbell. We then followed Frosty to the Red Light District (got a little lost en route, but eventually tracked down the Bulldog). We had schemes of going to a Live Sex show and the sex museum, but we decided to pop into a "Coffee Shop" first, and ended up staying there for the night. I was actually quite keen to smoke a joint, when in Amsterdam... ... read more

We left Barcelona early in the morning and I listened to Michael Buble songs on Dan's i-pod throughout the quick ride to Valencia. When we got to Valencia, I was immediately enamoured: clean, white and tall buildings, a beautiful fountain in the middle of a big, beautiful square, and frankly, I was just happy to be out of Barcelona. I constantly feel like I'm going to be pickpocketed at any minute there. We had to walk a fair piece in the boiling heat to our amazing hostel, Home Backpackers. Along the way, I chatted with Chris Floreani (Flo), Chris Franga (Frank to me) and Gareth (from London). They had been in my room in Barcelona, although I never officially met them there. We had to wait forever to check in, so everyone chatted with each other. ... read more

Just a quick summary of my three days in Barcelona: -Dan and I had the coldest, tastiest beer ever at Park Guell (yes, Gaudi's park is bright and bold and interesting, but the beer at the end of that sweltering hot day is what I'll remember most). -I finally got my credit cards; Busabout had forwarded them on to the hostel. -Dan and I are not staying at the same hostel here; rather, I am in a room with 3 Aussie guys and a bunch of other strangers. I hate being separated from him, because when I'm standing alone on the street waiting for him, I get catcalled and it makes me kinda nervous. -We did a fantastic Spanish cooking class at Travel Bar (on a street just off La Rambla), where we learned to make ... read more

Well, San Sebastian continued to be the highlight of my trip thus far, and just as one boyfriend leaves, a potential husband arrives! Paul and Belinda arrived yesterday morning (they had stayed a couple of extra days at Pamplona) and I showed them around town. We went to the beach, did some shopping, and they got settled into our pension. I felt like I was bringing them to my own home! Miranda was leaving today, so Dan moved into the room with me and Paul and Belinda had the other room to themselves. At night, the four of us went to tapas dinner (tapas are actually called pinxos in Basque country), then we grabbed a bottle of wine and drank it on the boardwalk near the beach. While standing there, Paul started chatting with 3 Aussie ... read more