Big In Japan

I think I've used that title already.

Anyway, stories from Rome seem to be a big hit. And by 'big hit,' I mean they keep coming to mind, which is odd, because we hardly spent any time there and it wasn't my favorite city of the trip.

So we arrive at our hostel around 1:30 in the morning because of the delightful seagulls and the lady at the hostel reception demands that we pay right then and there. She takes all of our passports, which is normal at hostels, but then takes thirty four hours writing down our information while other receptionists understood that when guests arrive at 1:30 am., they'd like to go to bed as soon as possible. The receptionist was a cute little lady and spoke with what I'm guessing is a Japanese accent. After thirty four hours of processing our information and generally being awkward about checking us in, she led me to my room, where there was an empty top bunk waiting for me. The other beds were all occupied. I was glad to see a bed and was about to drop my stuff and climb in when the receptionist whispered to me that I was supposed to have the bottom bunk but someone was already sleeping in it. I was a little annoyed, but mostly ok with sleeping on the top bunk, especially since I didn't remember reserving bunks of any sort and was just incredibly eager to be in bed. "But I can sleep up there, right?" I asked her, and she nodded back yes. But instead of just leaving, the receptionist leaned in and hovered over sleeping-jerk-who-stole-my-bed for awhile, as if she was going to wake him, but didn't. And since she was standing in front of my bed also, I had to just stare at her as she stared at sleeping person. It took a good two minutes for her to leave, just standing there very still and leaning forward, like she's about to say something but decided not to at the last minute. Oddest receptionist ever. But alas, I got to climb in bed and discover that my pillow smelled of BO. Just the pillow. And very strongly, too. A very poor night's sleep indeed, but eating everyone's croissants the next day perked me right up.