Yesterday I said good bye to Poland. It was sort of sad to leave, as I made friends here, and really learned about the history and culture. It seems like Poland was has continually been pooped on by larger, more powerful nations. It's been split up-and after briefly reuniting over 100 years later, was taken over (and in some parts destroyed) by Nazi Germany, and then of course taken over again by the Russians during the communist era.
The people are stereotyped as stupid, which I have learned is largely due to Russian propaganda.
Anyway, from Sopot, I took a train 4 hour train ride to Warsaw, where I would catch the plane to Belgrade and eventually Sofia Bulgaria, (I confused this with Bucharest, Romania). This was my second long train ride in Poland. The first was from Krakow to Warsaw-on that ride, i was originally supposed to take a bus, but missed it and booked a super fast 2 1/2 hour train to Warsaw-it was posh and luxurious with nice leather seats and plenty of room. On this ride from Sopot, I was expecting similar-wrong.
i took the slow train, and the seating is in closed compartments of 6 people each, with both groups of 3 facing each other and banging knees. I was seated with a father and 3 girls, and a 4th who wasn't related (I don't think). The seats we're uncomfortable and didn't recline. There was wifi, though, so I was balancing my notebook on my lap I was able to do some reading online ( in addition to my regular book).
Anyway, after getting off in Warsaw, I had lunch in the same shopping mall I went to when I was in Warsaw the first time, and then took another train to the airport. I waited at the airport for 4 hours for the flight. I waited almost two hours just for check-in on my flight to begin. I bought an issue of Time Magazine, one of the few magazines in English. I used to read Time, but I don't remember it being so thin-it was like a leaflet. The cover story was on Donald Trump, with a running byline beneath the story of all the promises he made and then reneged on. it seemed like Time had a vendetta again Trump. I mean, there is no way I would vote for the guy, but shouldn't Time be a little more objective?
Anyway, the original plan was to take the plane to Belgrade, Serbia with a 15 hour layover,(where I would spend a night), and the next day would catch a plane to Sofia, Bulgaria (I originally forgot weather I was planning on Sofia or Bucharest). Since I was able to check my bag to Belgrade ( as opposed as all the way to Sofia-the gate agent must have understood you can''t just walk to the gate and wait 15 hours for the next plane), I decided to throw away the connecting flight ticket and stay here a few days.
In Belgrade, I Found my hostel after confusing directions (It said on the directions they we're supposed to be easy). It was 11:00 pm at night-so afterwards I walked around, and found a bar/restaurant with a band performing Salsa music (i asked them-they we're from Cuba, and I listened to them)
