Back in Brasov

Wonderful to be back; despite the fact i only spent 2 days here before, it felt like coming home.

Razvan and Monica cooked THE BEST meal and amazing home made biscuits. Afterwards, surprisingly not tired, Ally came and got me and we went out. I began the evening on a hot chocolate, feeling sure it wouldn't be a big night. Then managed to dance til 1am at a party in the basement of a hostel. It was such a fun night, i met more volunteers that i hadn't last time including the infamous Elgar and Ben, had a really interesting chat with a lovely Romanian taxi driver (everyone's friend Alex) and got cuddled by a very drunk Romanian. Once again, me Tom and Jess were the last ones standing.

Woke the next morning at quarter to 8. Met Glynn and Mike and got the bus to Bran castle, which was well cool but far from gothic, nor was it eerily atmospheric. Will i never find my dracula?

We then went onto Rasnov citadel, which was full of old torture implements and had pretty amazing views of the mountains. I got chased by a donkey and then we sat in a restaurant talking about Shakespeare. Me Glynn and Mike that is, not the donkey.

In the evening quite a few of us went out to 'the Crew bar', a boat themed pub with a plank n all. Then to the Scottish pub, not surprisingly Scottish themed, complete with posters of Sean Connery and Ewan McGregor. I met Josh, a drama volunteer who reminded me very much of the great Fred Mitchell.

The next day i went with the archaeology girls to Sinaia, and we visited an incredible dingy gloomy monestary, beautifully painted inside though rather grimey. We then went to Peles and Pelisnor castles, which were the summer residences of the first King and Queen of Romania and their adopted nephew and his wife.

Peles was breathtaking. Every inch of the inside was lavish and expensive. The halls were high-ceilinged; there was a hall of mirrors, the room of Ana which was carved all around with little figures and paintings and had an ornate spiral staircase. There were carved walnut walls and ceilings in the king's study, a secret door in the bookcase, paintings by Rembrant and Klimpt. Each entertainment room had a theme, there was the oriental room, and a turkish den with cushions to sit on and shishas. There was even a huge impressive armoury with weapons from all over the world. I was enchanted by it and want one for myself.

Pelisnor was less impressive; decorated more modernly with white painted furniture and pink wallpaper. It felt more like a bed and breakfast hostel or a nunnery. Apart from the Gold room, which was quite as the name suggests, where Ferdinand's queen died.

It was raining very heavily while we were there. I had a cup of fruit tea.

The evening was Quiz night at the Brasov Projects Abroad office. It was a real laugh. Afterwards, 6 of us went out to the Graft bar and had tequila shots in a wooden attic room.

Thursday is gloomy. I read til half 12 and finished my only book, then went out for a lonely Greek Salad and got rained on. I bought a chocolate swiss roll for comfort food, and came back to the house to eat almost all of it, destroying all healthy lunch efforts.

Went out for Lucy's last day dinner with the archaeology girls. Was wicked fun. It was my second dinner as i had eaten at Razvan's at 5 also, yet i still managed an entire pizza.

Met up with everyone else in the 'For Sale' bar, where the floor is coated in a thick layer of monkey nut shells and our table engaged in monkey nut missile warfare. I had a disappointing earl grey tea, so switched to beer.

Everyone gradually drifted off home. Me and Elgar (the King as he is known, due to being the longest Projects Abroad volunteer) remained and had a few hours of conversation. He's dutch and a rather cool cat.