I am going stay among the Szekelys. These people say that they are the descendants of Attila and the Huns. This may be true, for when the Magyar people came to the country in the eleventh century they found the Huns were already there. I have read that every superstition in the world can be found in the Carpathian mountains. This area seems to be at the centre of all the strange ideas that people have. Because of this, my stay in the country may be very interesting. (Note, I must ask the Count to tell me all about these superstitions.)

Though my bed was comfortable, I did not sleep well, because I had all sorts of strange dreams. There was a dog howling all night under my window, and this may have had something to do with my dreams. Or it may have been the paprika, for I had to drink all the water I kept by my bed, and I was still thirsty afterwards. When it was nearly morning I slept and was wakened by the servant knocking at my door, so I guess I must have been sleeping soundly at that time.

I had more paprika for breakfast, and a sort of porridge which they called "mamaliga", and egg-plant stuffed with meat, a very excellent dish, which they call "impletata". (Note, get recipe for this also.)

I had eat breakfast in a hurry, because my train started a little before eight. Rather it ought to have started then. In fact ,after I rushed to the station at 7:30, I had to sit in the carriage for more than an hour before the train began to move. It seems to me that the further east you go, the less the trains run on time. I wonder what they are like in China?