8:00 am

It's kinda like saving the best for last. I met Antonio at the beach in Sitges yesterday. I first noticed him while I was in the water. He kept looking over at me. God, he was cute. When we left the water, he happened to be sitting pretty close to me. We just kept scoping out each other. It was very frustrating. I knew I needed to do something, but what? How do you do it? What do I say? Does he speak English? He went back into the water. I gathered up all the nerve I had and took the plunge. I went in after him. We swam near each other. It was obvious we needed to meet. Just go over and say, "Hola, ¿que tal?" Mike! So I did! I said I spoke little Spanish. He said he spoke no English. Shit! We came out of the water and he asked if I wanted to sit by him (At least I think that's what he said!) I moved. We talked. Rather, he talked and I tried to understand! I got most of it.

2:00 pm

I found out he's 21, a college student studying fashion, I think. It's his family business maybe. He's got 5 brothers and sisters and lives at home (darn!) We just sat on the beach, occasionally we went into the water and played splashy games. Very cute. But it was very uncomfortable. I said almost nothing. I just listened and sometimes was able to respond. Mostly, I nodded and smiled! Then he'd ask, "Entiendes?" and he'd catch me! He'd laugh and try to explain. Sometimes I just didn't get it. It was extremely frustrating. But it was a great challenge. And I enjoyed being with him. We'd go into the water and play around. He'd grab my foot or try to tickle me. I'd dunk him. Something was definitely developing, but what to do? Finally, around 6:00 pm, we left to get a drink. We talked about movies and music. It was fascinating, but still frustrating. I just wanted to communicate! But I did communicate and that was pretty impressive! Then we just walked around town. Kind like, "What do you wanna do?" "I dunno, what do you wanna do?" "I dunno." So we wandered. Somehow I mentioned the Youth Hostel and tried to explain the he couldn't spend the night, because it's a dormitorio. He didn't catch on at first. So we kept walking.

(edited!)

I made it to the Youth Hostel in time for breakfast (yuk). John from the Youth Hostel and I visited the Templa de Sagrada Familia today. Weird place. The spires are all in place, but the rest of the church is still under construction! It was great to see how a building like that is built. I saw a couple of other Gaudi buildings today. Now I'm on Las Ramblas. Thinking about going to the Olympics area and buying souvenirs!

7:45 am

Yay, I don't have to wear long pants anymore. I again made the wrong decision on a very hot and sweaty day in Vienna. But last night I changed into shorts on the train and I'm not taking them off! I had a pretty restful sleep in the couchette. I met three Canadian girls. Last night, in the Stephensdom Square, I met a guy from Edmonton who was going to an outdoor Mozart opera film. I joined him. It was good to go, although I could only stay an hour in order to catch my train. Had I known what Vienna was like, I would've stayed. But it is expensive. Almost to Venice now. I had been in the square for some time last evening and it looked like a heavy cruising area. There was a really attractive guy sitting next to me. We kept looking at each other, but of course, I didn't make any moves. Then this other American did and he ended up talking with him for at least an hour. Probably slept with him! Gotta get some guts.

7:40 pm

I like Venice. People told me it's doable in a day. But I think I'll spend another night, although I am spending $32 at a hotel. It's a nice treat. Big room, big bed. I did my laundry this morning -- but no shower. The sink and bidet are enough. It was very hot and sunny today. I took a vaporetto to the Lido -- the beach -- and hung out there a while. That's what I can do tomorrow! Then I went to Piazza San Marco and walked back to my hotel by the train station. This is an expensive treat, but worth it. And they take MasterCard! Maybe I can shop tomorrow, too. That puts me in Florence on Tuesday -- good, because everything's closed on Monday. I love the people high up in the apartments just watching the world go by their window. Life from a window!

11:50 pm

I'm really depressed. Here I am in Venice, the most romantic city in the world, and I'm all alone. I haven't taken the initiative to meet anyone. That pisses me off! When am I going to take charge? I have in many ways, but not in meeting people. It should be so easy. I find it easier at the Youth Hostel. I don't think I'll get in at Florence. Well, I should at least try, god damn it! Enough of this pessimism. Remember Maude! Now I want to go on to Florence tomorrow. I was thinking of running away to Greece, but I think not. Too far.

6:50 pm

I met this really cool, cute guy from Birmingham, England. I love the way he says, "It's amaizing," "really brilliant" and "dair" (dear -- expensive). I love foreigners! He's a roadie for bands. How cool! We went around Munich today and talked about this and that. Then we stopped at the Hofbraühaus and talked music over a couple of beers. We talked about Talk Talk, The The, David Byrne, Brian Eno, Billy Bragg, Morrissey. How fun! He's a really nice guy. I hope he goes out tonight. He's traveling to Nuremberg and Prague next. Then on to the French Riviera by September. He's very good-natured, too, considering I got us lost several times. Oh, his name's Neil. Last night, I did wait until the 12:50 train. And I almost didn't get on because it looked full. (Stupid!) I have a First Class ticket. I can kick out those 2nd Class moochers! So I did. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep. Next time, I'll take a couchette. It took me a while to get situated at the Banhof before I headed over to the Youth Hostel. Had to wash up, shave, change clothes. All this in a disgusting toilette that I paid DM.30 for. Stupid! I should've done it on the train. So I got to the YH at 9:15 am. It didn't open until 10:00. That's when I met Neil, though. And a bunch of Canadian girls. Then I discovered that I had left my hostel card at Mainz, and this one had a 26 year-old age limit. I was pissed, but luckily I was able to buy one and they let me in without verifying my age. Cost me an extra DM30 ($20), though. Didn't find Scott until this evening. That's okay. I'd rather go out with Neil. If he's going. Oh, it was a beautiful, sunny, hot day for a change. But it rained in the late afternoon. Hope it holds off. I'm really thinking more about Warsaw, Krakow and Prague. Everyone is doing it! But I'm spending so much already! But it's cheap there! More decisions. I think I'm going to Dachau tomorrow. I should go call Lark right now!