Blogs from Malá Strana, Prague, Czech Republic, Europe

I don't know how anyone can ever speak in generalities about American people. Contrast Jeanne and I effusively thanking the staff for every coffee refill, with the two biddies across the room arguing with each other at a decibel level of a jet takeoff at 25 feet. Saw Prague from inside the room yesterday so thought it best to venture out - despite the rain. And by the way, don't buy those three inch umbrellas that Jeanne brought with her. Useless unless the sun is shining and you have an itch. Looked all over for the Czech baby Jesus because Jeanne wanted to see it. I couldn't imagine what she was talking about because I didn't think there was one in every country. Wound up being the Infant of Prague. Very confusing. They shouldn't change the ... read more

This is sort of a day late due to coming home after pivo (beer) consumption, having a bit of a lie down and then waking up at 2am, so “nothing” (like blogging) gets done. So lets start with: Friday 3 June. Usual late start and got the metro down to Staromestska which is the closest stop to Stare Mesto (the Old Quarter) and also the river and the famous Charles bridge. So decided to head over in that direction which is not far. There seemed an alarming number of blokes (mostly black it seemed – and French?) dressed in sailors unfiform and flogging river cruises – which barely seem to go anywhere on the river much due to the weir just above the Charles bridge – but no idea how far up/downstream they go. The bridge ... read more

Six years had passed since our last European family excursion, and so we began our journey to Prague with the critical words that would ensure our survival: dobry den (hello), pivo (beer), toalety (toilet). The trinity of travel. Upon our arrival at Ruzyne Airport, we were greeted by the hotel car driver, and after a rather exhilarating fast ride through the city proper, we arrived at our hotel in the Old Quarter and were pleasantly surprised at the charm and sophisticated elegance of the Maximilian Hotel. If you appreciate architecture, the design of the hotel is a magnificent transformation of an old estate building in a quiet location near Hastalska Square, into a modern, contemporary gallery of art. The walls are pristine, the art is impeccable, the furniture is modern and unencumbered and the atmosphere ... read more

When the email from Delta arrived in my inbox last January with offers of insanely cheap airfares to Europe, I just had to do it. Prague had always beckoned, plus, how could I pass up a $700 roundtrip from Dallas? And so I arrived in Prague less than 3 weeks later for a long weekend, excited and open to discovering another new city with the promise of cobblestones, narrow alleyways, hints of former Soviet influence, loads of Gothic and Baroque architecture, and yes, lots of potato dumplings with brown gravy. Good thing I packed winter clothes since the temperature rarely went above 32 degrees during my busy 4 days, which may sound uncomfortable at best but actually added to the experience in ways I’m still recalling almost a year later. I can still feel the slap ... read more

This city gets multiple posts—not because of its lack of ease of finding wifi but because of its beauty. I have taken more than 150 pictures in three days and must share. This city is magnificent—the buildings and churches and castles and roads are preserved in a way you can’t imagine. Every person I talked to who has been to Prague has said, “just walk, you can’t go wrong. " And, indeed the advice has been right on. This trip is never without its dull moments and most of our time is programmed but on this trip we were incredibly fortunate to have Saturday to tour the Bohemian countryside followed by a down day in Sunday that we programmed for ourselves as busy as the rest of our days! As much as I love this trip, ... read more