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I woke up early in the day highly anticipating the events that may take place. By 8:30am, I'm in my car, and heading up from Virginia to Albany, New York to visit some hopeful new Slovak friends who were visiting New York from Slovakia.

The trip was long. Very very very very very long. I almost regret not flying in or taking a train. Factoring in that I left at 8:30AM, and only made two pit stops (one for a morning boost of espresso, and the other to.. well .. discard the espresso), I arrived in Albany around 4:30PM. I was able to find the location of where my friends were staying quite easily, and assume the Crowne Plaza hotel I was staying at would be just as easy to find.... I was wrong! After almost an hour more of driving around, and constant contact of the hotel was I able to find my way to the hotel that was only a 5 minute drive from my friends.

I checked in at the hotel, I called my friends up to see what the plan was for the night. They suggested that we go out, have some dinner, and go check out the 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' movie. I graciously accepted! They asked me to head over to their place first, so they could quiz me on my Slovak language.

Now for those who don't know me, I should mention that I'm usually a very shy person at first. So meeting these new people for the first time would be quite interesting. I drive over to their apartment, and knock on their door..... A strange half-naked guy answered.. Eh.. My only response was 'I think I have the wrong place'. He told me I was looking for the apartment around back. *shrug*

I head around back. Don't see any number, or apartment number, and get equally confused. I really didn't want to disturb any other neighbor, so I found it best to call. They said they'd be right out to meet me.

At that time, out came three beautiful ladies, Eva, Maria, and Jana, who were very welcoming. They brought me upstairs and started going over my Slovak books. I didn't know it at the time, but I would soon find out that these three girls would be future friends for life.

I was, of course, very nervous, and quiet. That's my persona though. I tried to relay to them beforehand that I would be that way, but they never gave up on getting me to open up. Maria instantly started going over questions in the Slovak workbooks I brought. Though it was only a short lesson, I was very pleased with the results.

The girls offered me a treat. It was kind of like pudding, only they referred to it as 'muddy'. They didn't know exactly what to call it in the English language, but it consisted of what appeared to be a cake of some-sort, with chocolate pudding, and a berry-based thick custard. Quite interestingly, it was something they made themselves, and it was remarkably good. Does this give me a mark at what is to come during my adventure in Slovakia?

We took off for the 'Crossgates Mall' out in Albany. A roughly 10 minute drive from their apartment. We decided to eat at a place called 'Houlihans' (also where Jana works). While it was a nice atmosphere, it was your normal Americana-style restaurant (as compared to places such as Ruby Tuesday's, Applebees, etc). Now keep in mind, at this point, I was famished. The only real thing I had to eat was the bowl of Slovak pudding/custard I had at their apartment moments ago. So I went to order what looked the most appetizing to me....... Of course, it was the exact same as everyone else. They had me order since they felt their English still wasn't up to par (I have to admit, these girls are crazy... Their English is better than most the people I work with.. Just with a sexy accent). "We'd like to have four chicken caesar salads, please!"

We sat back and conversed about random things, and just broke the ice in the conversation. Eva decided it was time to get some pictures. One by one, Jana, Eva, and Maria came over to me in the booth and got photos taken where we acted .. somewhat crazy! Finally, our waitress came over and took some group pictures of the four of us. Of course, they did it on their camera, so I'll make sure to get a copy from them.

From there, we walked the now closed mall awaiting the time to go get in our seats at the theater. We walked aimlessly around playing around with each other. It may sound crazy, but it was a blast! I've only known these girls for a few short hours, and yet, it already seems like I've known them for years. They were the type of people that you could spend every waking moment with and have so much fun...even staring at the walls.

We went back to the theater and waited to get in. While waiting, for some reason, we decided to make some 'random' calls on my cell phone. Maybe it was to help bypass the waiting time, or maybe it was to ensure my friends that everything was going great. Regardless, I called my friend James, out in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Immediately, my phone was taken away by Eva, and she began conversing with him. After a few moments, the phone was handed off to Maria, and then to Jana. I don't think James was expecting this phone call. Once I got off the phone with him, I decided to call Ray, out in Culpeper, Virginia. My only thing I said to him was 'Hi Ray, someone wants to talk to you,' and then Maria took over from there. Once again, followed by the other two girls.

We got out of the movie around 1:30AM, and then it was decided that we all head home (as Jana had to work at 8:00AM). I dropped them back off at their apartment, and tried my luck at locating the hotel again.

Sadly, I got lost... again. This time, I didn't have the help of the hotel's front desk, and I knew I had to find my own way. How hard could it be? Madison Avenue to Pine Street, cross over Pearl, and turn onto Lodge. .. .. .. So I headed down Madison Avenue. .. .. .. Never saw Pine Street, and was forced to get onto the highway. *sigh* Long story short, I was finally able to locate the hotel again (I'm not sure how) around 2:30AM (yet again, another hour to find a place 5 minutes away). Took my shower, and laid down to watch some TV.... highly anticipating what was to come the following day.

Regardless, it's safe to say that these girls are just completely awesome. I look forward to what the future holds for us. I'm just sad that I'm heading back home so soon. It's a shame they don't live closer to me now, as I'd hang out with them all the time. I guess I'll have to wait until I move.

Unfortunately, during this event, my camera was left in the car. However, I surely hope to get some good pictures of the girls before I head home.