Pam's side of the Story

Well up to this point everyone has been hearing about the trip from Tricia's perspective. This is because I have just been too lazy to make a blog. However we are presently stuck in the Malmo Sweeden train station for 5 hours and I have nothing better to do. Don't count on me being as faithful as Tricia in updating it. Who know this may be a one time entry!!!

Ok to start the reason for the name of my blog. If you have been reading Tricia's you know that we have had several eventful days, where we end up in the wrong country, in a hick town in Bulgaria or can't find accomodations during a rain wind storm in Poland. So when these things happen I usually say "it's all part of the adventure" to try to calm myself down. It drives Tricia crazy.

We have been having an amazing time. One of my favourite places was hiking in Slovakia through these gorges with ladders and platforms. When I am able to I will post pictures. It was really amazing. I also saw a black mountain goat which was kind of cool. We have seen many cool castles....much better than the castles in Western Europe. I enjoy the stone ruins...they are much better for exploring and climbing. I don't think they would appreciate it if I tried climbing the walls of furnished castles. The salt mines were also amazing. There was a whole church made out of salt. With several copies of famous artwork made out of salt (such as The Last Supper). We didn't have much time in Krakow so we decided on that over going to Auschweitz. I know it seems odd to go to Krakow and not go to Auschweitz but I'm happy with our decision. I had already seen Dauchau concentration camp when I was in Munich last year. Very powerful experience. I'm sure we will have opportunity again on a future Europe trip.

So dad if you still think we are supposed to backpack Europe it definately has to be Eastern Europe. After being in Eastern Europe I don't know what all the hype is about Western Europe. Sure it's easier because most people speak English. But once you get over the intial frustration of the language barrier it's actually quite fun communicating with people who don't speak your language. Slovakia was the best, because they would speak in Slovak and I would speak in English and eventually we would figure out whatever needed to be figured out. Secondly it's much more affordable. And I think it's cool, with stone castle ruins and better outdoors stuff. The exception is Norway of course. Which is stupidly expensive but beautiful.

And Aunt Noreen is there anything else you can tell us about Great Grandpa? When we go to Stavanger there is an emmigration office where you can trace your Norwegian family's roots. We know his name but do you know what year he was born? You probably already know alot about his family but it would be interesting for us to see what they can find.

Ok enough rambling. Will see if I do this again.