From: "Zachary Foreman"

To: Praxxis@ix.netcom.com

Date: Sun, 20 Oct 1996 13:47:00 GMT+2

Subject: Re: I got the stuff!!

They came by when I was in class and left a note with the claim number and location. I had a hard time getting the suitcase without the proper ticket but in the end was able to do it. For Oswicim (Auschwitz in Polish) is about a 2 hour train trip or one hour on a tour bus. There's about a $20 6 hour tour that I wouldn't recommend if you are really interested in Birkeneau (Auschwitz II, where the really extermination was). It will be cold though. The train is also much cheaper. I haven't had a chance to try the spices or the hat yet. The black boots are nice (in the slang sense) and I have gotten compliments for the jacket. (I have been wearing plaid for three weeks!!!)I haven't tried the converter yet either. In fact, I haven't put everything away yet. I did hear mom and her weirdo sisters singing and laughing on the tape player. I guess it would probably be best for you to decide where you want to go and I could make an exact itinerary. I'll list the possible places. (some you could go to before you meet me but I'll already be out of classes by the 18. Still you could go to Vienna on the way to Cracow, or Prague.

1. Prague: cheap, beautiful, they understand polish, dynamic

2. Vienna: expensive, also beautiful, might be able to catch the boys' choir, we can all practice our German

3. Budapest: warmer, good overnight train trip, cheap stuff (like good Hungarian wine), best food in E.Europe.

4. Warsaw: uh, it has a bunch of taco bells...

5. Around Krakow: Auschwitz, 600 year old salt mine, Famous Portrait of the Virgin Mary, Zakopane (ski resort, beautiful mountains)

6. Berlin: well, you've been there. (have you been to Vienna?) It has probably changed a lot since you were last there... Most travelers I have talked to were not very impressed with Berlin. It's expensive, everything is under construction and there aren't that many tourist sights, even historical places aren't set up for tourists.

7. Lithuania: This place rocks. Cheap. Beautiful. No tourists.

8. Latvia: My friends!! Cheap. I'm learning Latvian. I might live there. But, it takes a while to get there. (from Warsaw, 10 hours to Riga and 6 more to Gulbene.) But we can stay a day in Lithuania or a day in Riga and then it would be no problem.

If this is an option you want, it might be worth it to check out one way air fair from Riga to Frankfurt. A train would take almost 30 hours and cost about $160 each. Or we could end up in Berlin. A possible itinerary. Dec 18-20. you guys are in Vienna. Dec 21-25 celebrate Christmas in Krakow Dec 26-27 spend day in Kaunas (Lithuania) Dec 27-28 Spend day in Riga Dec 28-29 Spend day in Gulbene Dec 29/30 go to Riga airport fly to Frankfurt or Dec 21-23 Krakow Dec 24-25 Berlin or skip the Baltics (one reason I would like for you to go there is so that I can stay there for a couple weeks more)or skip Vienna. It depends on several variables:

1. How much you want to travel and sleep in trains

2. Where you want to spend Christmas.

3. Whether you are going to take a train to Frankfurt or fly. (do you remember last year, it only cost me $100 to fly from Moscow to Riga?)

4. How much you want to spend. (Poland, Baltics=cheap/ Germany, Austria=expensive) If you have any questions or comments write them soon. I will find out about visa requirements...

YLS, Zach