One Perfect Night In Warsaw

After a tempestuous coach ride from Vilnius - mainly thanks to a group of loud Lithuanians on the cusp of puberty - we arrived in Warsaw at 7am, exhausted. Our hostel was called Oki Doki Hostel. Now we just had to find it...

We found it, obviously, having taken a tram more akin to an Alton Towers ride, and rocked up a few flights of stairs, yearning for some sleep. The receptionist - whom we awoke from a deep slumber - notified us that check-in was not until 3pm. That was in 8 hours. After lounging on the hostel sofa and generally making the place look untidy for a bit, the receptionist told us we could go to our rooms. Cahman! We then slept for 5 hours.

We had a wander towards Old Town, the Sun beating down and the architecture a sight to behold. We came across a festival of culture in the centre where a band was playing and some anti-racism artwork was displayed. We were having a great day. We later traversed some cobbled streets, saw the castle and happened upon the most beautiful square in the world. Loads of cafes and bars, surrounded by 5 and 6 story buildings. It stank of a Bond location. We had a beer or two and Walshe went off to buy some Levi's. Of course he did.

On arrival back at the hostel we were presented with a sign informing us that it was happy hour at the bar. Yes please, four. We ordered 2 enormous pizzas and carried on drinking until it was time to explore the city's nightlife. After getting lost, returning to the hostel and then going out again we ended up at a lovely little place called Surf Bar. It turned out to be the venue for an 18th birthday party :) we blagged the bar staff that we knew the birthday girl and were so allowed to stay and enjoy, consuming party food, free champagne and a few ill-advised tequila slammers. We made a few friends, including a chunky Polish chap who loved Skins, and had a ruddy good time.

Things, inevitably, turned sour. Walshe bought a young lady a drink and was then shunned. Bad etiquette on her part. As she sat down to consume said beverage he casually withdrew the chair, causing her to fall back and spill said beverage. The bouncer took Walshe by the ear and escorted him out. Just after this incident the chunky Polish chap decided it wise to half-inch some whiskey from behind the bar. Unfortunately this is stealing and so he was reprimanded in a back room by several bouncers. We, heroically, tried to save him but were presented with a 200 zlote (sp?) re-entrance fee - about 50 quid - which we declined. He came out shortly afterwards, wheezing slightly but ok. Then we went home to Oki Doki. Tomorrow was Krakow time...