Go EAST, Young man

I'm writing you this BLOG from... hold on ... let me check.... 18,100 ft. above Macedonia! I'm in a backwards facing seat and can literally reach around and touch the pilot from here in this small jet. Our second flight now on this 8 passenger craft- a cigar tube. So far we've flown in and out of Macedonia. There have been some great surprises on this run in the form of unexpectedly great people from places I've only heard of but knew nothing about. I'll separate this long (make-up) entry into 2 postings: Czech & Slovenia, and Greece & Macedonia. Find these 2 postings below. (Greece might take a while- What a trip!)

Czech Rep.
This was another festival over 20,000 fans stayin up late to rock out. I kinda wish we were in Prague, and this was a small town in the middle of nowhere. This crowd was there for a more metal billing overall, but showed us love none the less. They either didn't know the words or know how to pronounce the words, as the sing-alongs were a little challenged. We got out quickly for the drive to....

Slovenia!
Slovenia rocked! It was our own show and the folks there were very ready to see this band. Everything was cheap and the hotel was the most technologically advanced I've ever been in. Everything from videos, internet, movies, even the door unlock was on either the small, intuitive remote control or the matching mini keyboard. Wireless access of course.
Many of you who know me know that I need to get out and be with the locals to really get the best vibe of a country, as opposed to being a hotel room recluse. So I met a great bunch of folks who invited me to a home cooked meal and drinks into the wee hours. Very San Franciscan experience overall if I must say! One girl was about 6ft 3in and is a cop. On the way to dinner I got to experience her highway driving skills firsthand- not that I think I had a choice! A bit scary, but I embrace adventure!
The crowd kicked MAJOR ARSE! We were very close to them with a very minimal pit area, so there was lots of contact and reciprocation. They cheered and cheered and sang. Afterwards I checked out a local scene (The Skeleton Bar) before retiring back to the internet ranch. I ran out of batteries, so no pics here :-(