Eastern Europe Summary

Eastern Europe was a little bit of a last minute surprise. I never really originally planned to go anywhere other than Prague but was greatly surprised with it. I think for anyone contemplating Europe, think about Eastern Europe first.

Somehow I was reading an English economics magazine in Bratislava (some habits die hard) and it was making comments on how countries joining the EU experience upward inflation pressures and prices level out around one another (Spain being on the lower end of things). Thus if you have the opportunity to do Eastern Europe in the next hand full of years, probably a good time to do it before it becomes too much like the West.

In a lot of ways it was just so different from the general western culture that I´m use to. It was really insightful getting opinions from people who have lived through communism and the moves to market economies. You got a real sense of the down to earth hard life that people have but it is with a sense of optimism. Always an interesting reality check.

Feel a little bit now like I want to tackle some of the Asian countries. Always been a little apprehensive but have a little confidence now that I could work it out after fumbling my way through Eastern Europe (I think I´m developing what is otherwise known as the ´travel bug´). Asia being in the backyard of Australia also makes it a little more appealing - an affordable plane ticket wise - where are we off to Scott?