I just traveled through Vilnius, Lithunia. I was there for two days  It was raining hard one day so I did not get to see much. But I stayed at a really nice hostel, full of travelers from all over the world. I was so sick of
eating bread that I went to the supermarket and bought some salad, for a
healthier option.

I also traveled through Krakow, Poland. I went to the Auschwitz concentration camp. It made me feel ill seeing the atrocities that people are capable of. It has been a very interesting and intense trip and I am still meeting many wonderful people. I have a month,at least, left to go.

I'm with father in Riga at the moment. He is showing me around the place he was born. It is summer here but raining almost every day. Yesterday was finally warm and we went and spent the day on the beach. The water is really dirty but what is nice is that it is  right next to gorgeous pine forests.

I've been learning a lot of stuff that I did not know about our history and
family background. It is interesting to see for real what my father's life was like and how he grew up.

We celebrated the summer solstice in true pagan style with the Latvians. A big bonfire and singing and dancing and wreaths of flowers and staying up all night. I've put on 4kg since i got here 5 days ago. I cannot believe how much
these people can eat, never mind the amounts of alcohol they consume. A
bottle of vodka lasts 30 minutes between four people.

I'm not sure if I can change my ticket on Turkish Airlines. If I can then I'll
extend it for a month and come to Israel. I am unsure of this as there are no
Turkish Airlines offices here at all. I might only find out in Istanbul. Pray
and we will see what happens.

I may go to Israel and study in a Yeshiva for a month and see if that gives me
any answers. I feel so unsure of my future. I am almost 23 and what am I doing with my life. All i am good at is exploring and asking questions. Where will that take me in life?

I sm concerned about the trip down through Eastern Europe as I will be traveleing through Belgrade, Yugoslavia and Sofia, Bulgaria and I've heard that it is very dangerous.

love you
michal

I'm in Bari, Italy. I was supposed to be here for one night but after major
miscommunication with all the ferry agencies I ended up being stuck here for four days. It is not a tourist city and there is not even one hostel so I had to
swallow my stinginess and cough up $20 a night for the hotel.

The first night I arrived, I was too nervous to leavethe port as I've heard this is a very dangerous city, especially for travellors, being a woman alone I was not about to take any chances. So, I convinced the head dude to let me sleep inside the port building so I would not have to venture alone into the city to attempt to find accommodation.  They actually locked me in and then I spent the night on a rather uncomfortable metal bench.

The next morning, bright and early I went out to try and find a lodging. The
tourist info was of  no help and I ended up at the hotel. Tonight is my last
night here I will be sleeping at a house for poor people as I have exceeded
my budget. A missionary group said I could spend the night there. Strange
days. Hopefully in Croatia, my next destination there will be more places
for young people to stay cheaply. I l catch a ferry to Dubrovnik on Thursday at 10pm, hopefully.

Well, I suppose I should start at the beginning to fully fill you all in.

From Israel i went to Istanbul. I was blown away by the sheer enormity of the
city. 15 million population and not so friendly to strangers. I had a slight
freak out and almost came home. I was missing Trevor and family and friends so much I thought I would not last. Also the difficulty of this trip suddenly dawned on me. It is definitely not easy in any way. Cried and got miff but had a few lessons from the koran which hit home and made me feel stronger. My frinends in Istanbul are cool. They study the koran with a woman guru teacher. I thought that was excellent.

So, next was Greece. I decided on Tessaloniki rather than Athens because I did not want another big city. So caught a 11 hour bus there. I got there and got myself a ride to the hostel by a couple who were meeting each other for the first time to spend a romantic weekend in a hotel. They had met over the internet. Bizarre, but romantic I guess.

Not much to do there but did a day trip to the beaches at Halkidiki and then managed another fantastic day trip to Mt. Olympus, where the gods lived. It was so beautiful there. I got into a gushing stream and felt elated by the green vistas. I got a cheap bus ride and then connecting ferry to Corfu, one of the islands.

I'd planned to spend just one night there as it is damn expensive but was saved by Spiro, a young guy who had just completed his military service.
He called his family home and they agreed to let me stay there. Ended up
staying four days. Hiked around the island and got an amazing tan on every beach I could find. Every one I met was so friendly and I loved the island. I saw such beautiful sights. It is a place I could spend a lot of time. My buddy Spiro and his family had three houses next to each other and there were uncles, brothers, cousins and even grandparents living in these houses.
Nobody even locks their doors. It is so safe there. Amazing.

So that brings us to now, in Bari.I saw a great Italian classical opera
concerto at the university. I was awed by a very young woman conductor. Also the opera singers. I did not understand the words but felt the emotion. It picked me up out of my self pitying mode.

Now I'm sitting in the office of ACAI, where the great Maurizio, an Italian
stallion has been kind enough to allow me to use the office computer. He is
a real sweetheart to help me out. His uncle is  a missionary in Swaziland,
small world is it not?

Major complications due to visas and such like. Decided it would be too
risky to travel through Albania and Montenegro so am using ferries to go around the problem. G-d is watching out for me though. Lithunia and Latvia have just changed their visa requirements, so that in effect,a week before I want to go there Israeli citizens will no longer need a visa. Thank you lucky
stars for loving me and supporting me in this way. I can feel all your love
and prayers with me and I thank you for having me in your hearts.

Love you all

Blessings
Michal