5:10pm

We have meandered the streets of the medieval town of Brasov (pronounced Brashov) for the better part of the day after an all night bus ride, which wasn't actually that bad. Think of a 40 passenger tour bus (pretty posh) and it's just our family, from Chisinau to Brasov, paying about $15 per ticket. I'm thinking they didn't make much money off that run! At about 3:30am the bus driver indicates he's stopping for one hour and proceeds to go to the back of the bus and sleep, snoring loud enough to shake the bus! I slept pretty good with help of my good friend Lukas' blue pills!

Brasov is beautiful, but more touristy. I'm wearing my jacket and everybody's a little chilly as the temperature is only 28 today...that little shot for our friends back home. Miss you guys!

Funny story: Luke went to use the bathroom and was gone for an exceptionally long time. We think, "It's a free bathroom so he better take advantage of it!". But it turns out he locked himself in there somehow - good for a laugh! Later he buys a knife, only to find out it's a switchblade. Hmmm, no refunds either. Probably through a few bucks out the door on that one.

We finally got in touch with our Couchsurfing host for the next three days, Andras and his wife. He gives me directions to his house without streets, or street numbers. "Tell the cab driver it's in the Plaiulfoii area", he says. I'm like, that's it?! He guarantees they'll know where his guest house is. So another little adventure up and coming - we'll let you know how that works out :-). It's in the Carpathian Mountains about one hour from Brasov which is where we're heading now, after Sara returns from the market with some food for tonight. With Couchsurfing you want to keep your expectations of the hosts low. So I tell the kids they'll be sleeping in the barn with the horses and mom and I will be in a tent in the backyard. That way there's no misconceptions. More than likely, we'll experience something akin to a homecoming, but just the same, thinker lower and you'll be cool.

Tomorrow we're planning on seeing the infamous Bran Castle (evidently Dracula's) and going for a nice hike in the mountains, should be fun!

Signing off (and feeling like bed even though it's 5:30pm).