Dalmatians

Croatia; honestly one of the most magically diverse countries I have ever visited! there must be something I did right in the last couple of days, because karma is being so good to me! On my way from Budapest to Zagreb, I met an amazing local, Mariana. She helped m find my way and told me so much about he country. When I arrived in Zadar, I was roomed with two Canadians (very few couchsurfers in Croatia :( ) but everything happens for a reason, and I will be friends with these two girls for life! We rented a car and drove to Plitvice national park, the most spectacular waterfalls I have ever seen. So many waterfalls, big and small. We took so many photos, and spent 6 hours exploring the park, and we only skimmed the surface. I had to do all the driving because I can drive stick, but the views were amazing and it was liberating to be behind the wheel again.

Plitvice National Park - The most beautiful place in the world! 

Amazing waterfalls

Caves in Plitvice

In Zadar, we soaked up the sun, ate lots of gelato and cevapi. I swear the weight I lost in northern Europe is coming back in full force now that food is cheaper! We also decided to get a permanent bond together. See the last photo to find out what ;)

Back in Zadar, the three of us went out to try the local brew. One of the girls doesnt drink, so we got her a virgin cocktail, but the bartender charged us full pice. This drew us in from the patio to the bar to ask why, and before we knew it we were rubbing elbows with the locals and doing some local shots. the area is called Dalmacija (Damlacia), so the one guy I was talking to kept calling himself a Dalmatian. he asked if I had ever tried a dalmatian man before, which of course, I have not! I decided to avoid him, after a promise to a very good friend in Canada that there would be no more boys interfering this trip! Instead, I spoke with a very nice english teacher. The bar started to close and we moved outside. My new friends had been chatting up some other tall handsome croatians all night, but my dalmatian came back to me, grabbed my ass and said 'So, we have sex now?' He was extremely good looking, but I wanted nothing to do with anyone who doesn't have the decency to at least wine and dine me. I grabbed one of my new friends and told him we had to wake up very early. He once again persisted...'So, no sex?' with a confused look on his face. This guy didn't even buy me a drink! I will admit he was straightforward, but WAY off base. From now on, I will only try dalmacija food.

Zadar at the Sea Organ

Old town Zadar

Can you see the mountains? 

On the way to Split, and there was SNOW!

SNOW IN CROATIA!

The most beautiful shore

Postcards

Split

Split - the sea!

Split

This is not my first tattoo. I have been getting inked since I was 16... but I must say, this one is the most beautiful. I was nervous because I chose it 48 hours before getting it, but the image is so representative of how far I have come in my life. the tattoo artist actually listened to every word I said and got each detail exactly right. I will never be caged :)

And last but not least, the newest addition to my body!! it is on my rib cage.

AND just to be clear, each of us Canadians got different tattoos! but because we used the same artist on the same day, we have a bond that can never be broken!

Back on track

Vienna, such a beautiful city! I finally feel centered again. I'm with a great couchsurfer. He literally showed me all of Vienna in a very efficient 5 hour walking tour. He was born and raised here, so walking around with him taught me so much about Viennese. He took me to a hole in the wall bar called 'bricks' and it was so fun! Last night I went bowling with a bunch of Germans, and I got my first Turkey (three strikes in a row). My favorite part of Vienna was the view from the imperial summer palace. I could see the whole city! And thanks to my guide, I actually knew what I was looking at.
My toe is much better :) but it will take months for the nail to grow back :(
I just found out there is a really cheap ferry to Slovakia, so I might take that tomorrow! Today, I hit up the Mozart museum and the Natural History Museum. I found a rubber duck who looks like Mozart! So of course I had to buy it!! Other than the rain today, the solo part of my trip is shaping up to be pretty chilled out. Finally some time to just think and enjoy my surroundings. I just changed my phone number, so no more texts from Mr.O. From here on out, no more men!!

European Nomance

Well, I can say I have my Russian belt. Otherwise, I have learned it is much more important to find someone whom you are mentally compatible with, not just physically. After Mr.O ordered soup for me, after I specifically said I don't want soup, I knew I should run for the hills!! Then he continued to belly ache and complain about everything. When I suggested doing something different, he punched the wall. I felt like I was in a terrible dramatic movie; circa Tina and Ike. So I asked him to leave a day early so I could spend it with my friend who came all the way from Canada to run the half marathon with me (which we finished in 2:21!). Now, her and I are in krakow Poland, and I still haven't told him I am not going to meet him in Berlin. I have a great medical ailment to blame: my toe nail had to be ripped off by a doctor... I have toe fungus!!! YUCK!!! If I had the ability to post photos right now, I would. It is the most terrible sight. I'm in a cream and antibiotics.... But the more I think about it, with the help of my good friend, I should tell him the truth! I do not like who he is, so why would I meet up with him again. It is painful to go out in public and be embarrassed at every turn. One friend back home told me about her fatherinlaw, who has the same characteristics, and is European. So maybe my dream of finding a sexy man with an accent will finally be put to rest.
On a good note! I have had two massages and lots of relaxing time with my running mate! Other than the toe fiasco, we are having a jolly good time, except the day we went to Auschwitz, that was a very sombre and sad day.
I hope to get some pics and better details up here soon, so stay tuned ;)

Heartbreak hotel; open for business

Prague; potentially a very romantic city.
When I arrived at my hotel, I was told they were sold out, and I needed to be moved... Great. I work at a hotel, so I understand. But Mr.O, started pestering the poor front desk agent. In the end, we were taken to a top floor apartment, which was very nice! But just for one night. There was a rooftop balcony, a kitchen and lots of room. The only downside was the 7 flights of stairs we had to climb!!! The second we were alone, I got railed in the shower. Later that night, I was fucked on the balcony. After cooking dinner for us, I had two orgasms.... TWO! Within 5 minutes of eachother. In the bedroom, Mr.O can't be beat... But outside the bedroom is a whole other story.
Most women complain that men are too stubborn to ask for directions... Well I can firmly say these women should be grateful their men are quiet. Mr.O asks for directions from everyone! Even when where we are going is right in front of us! Not only does he obsessively ask questions from strangers, but he complains about everything. The room isn't hot enough, the restaurant isn't authentic enough, or the room is too noisy. I thought a sex-god of a Russian would be more down to earth, but I am almost embarrassed to go places with him. After I ran my half marathon yesterday: 2.21 hours on rock hard pavement and stone, I was tired and sore. He went on to say he was sore and tired too.... He went to a museum!!! I wanted to strangle him right then, but the sex is so amazing! So, now I am stuck. On the plus side, I no longer have any doubt in my mind, this guy isn't right for me. On the downside, I need to break it to him that I don't want to travel with such a negative person. I hate negativity, and I have worked so hard to get rid of my own negative attitudes. But the fact I had to sneak out and have the hotel breakfast by myself for fear he would pester the staff means I need to get out of this fast...
Wish me luck! But I'm gonna get one more lay in before I break the news to him. I mean, this is my vacation, right?