Picturesque Plovdiv

Plovdiv is gorgeous. Specifically, the Old Town.

My hostel is in the Old Town. The streets are what can be called cobblestone...though, they are really just large, brick-y rocks. Definitely dangerous for my ankle. ESPECIALLY when walking at night, because street lights are not frequent. I've looked like a hunchback while walking back at night.

Today, I walked to the top of the hill (not a mean feat, but not an easy one, either). Quite lovely, quite picturesque. Or as my guidebook describes the Old Town, "a painter's dream and a cartographer's nightmare." Very true. There are Roman ruins scattered about, wild cats running wild, a lot of locals and a lot of peace. While walking down the hill, I passed a Roman amphitheatre. How I would love to see something performed there (it was obviously still in use, as there were speakers and lighting equipment around), but I will be leaving here tomorrow or the next day. Probably.

Funnily enough, I never used the map today. I was happy to wander about, and then take a marathon-length nap in the afternoon. I don't know why I'm taking so many long naps these days. I don't know if it's because:

1. People have been waking up and leaving the dorm early in the morning;
2. I had the room to myself today (and hopefully will tonight);
3. I'm just really tired
or
4. Some mysterious reason I have yet to discover

Oh boy. The thunder pounded the sky here a few minutes ago, and now the downpour has started. Seattle girl that I am, I do not have an umbrella, and I still only have the jean jacket.

It will soon be time to run to the closest restaurant and hope the storm passes, so I can get back to the hostel without being drenched.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the dear little salamander that I saw in the hostel this afternoon. I was leaving my room, and noticed movement on the floor. The first floor (second floor for you Americans out there) is rather dark most of the time (energy conservation), so it took a few moments to get a good luck at what was moving. I was very happy it wasn't a speedy spider...

I just hope I don't walk across the little guy in the middle of the night...