Blogs from Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic, Europe

Yesterday's activities were most assuredly not planned as part of this year's itinerary; however, given the circumstances, it could have been worse. In our experiences over the years, nothing has been more unsettling and stressful than finding ourselves in a foreign country with a medical issue. In 2014, Dee developed shingles while we were in the south of France, which required a trip to the ER in Aix en Provence. The following year, while in Paris, I went to the American Hospital there with borderline pneumonia. Then in 2017, during our around-the-world trip, I succumbed to a nasty intestinal infection for which I sought treatment in Athens, and subsequently in Nice. Last year we came away unscathed, but this year we've not been as fortunate. A few days before our departure, I strained, tore or severely ... read more

Vi fortsätter att hålla goda matrutiner. Vi lagar stora portioner av ris, pasta, grönsaker och linser. Vi lagar i princip veganskt även om vi genomgick en fas av betydande ostkonsumtion. När vi äter ute stöter vi dock ofta på patrull. I Polen och Tjeckien är definitionen av en vegetarisk rätt att man helt sonika tar bort köttet, vilket förstås är oacceptabelt för grabbar som oss. Jag har försökt diskutera tallriksmodellen med dem, men lönlöst. Efter en fin helg i Dresden och ett kärt återseende med min gamle vän Johan far vi vidare längs Elbe mot Prag. Byarna längs Elbe är sinnessjukt pittoreska vilket gjort att de lockat till sig horder av pensionärsturister som såsar runt och kollar på klocktorn och broar. Det är lite synd. Men man kan inte klaga, sträckan är storslagen med mestadels perfekta ... read more

Seriously hard to leave our hotel to venture out for our last day in Prague. We've never had so many people paying attention to us and catering to our every whim. And you know how Jeanne and I love our attention! Subway to Old Town and then food immediately - of course. Walked and walked to try and find a recommended restaurant, but every establishment has at least ten letters that don't belong next to each other. Settled on one with some English words "free masons". Had to convince Jeanne they would let us in because it would be tough to survive if limited to masons. Prague has to be the cheapest city in Europe. Four beers, two appetizers, and two entrees for the equivalent of twenty five dollars. Raining again of course but now have ... read more

Sad to leave Slovakia behind, but I have been looking forward to Prague for while, too. The train from mid-Slovakia to Prague is... Not quite the milk run, but getting there. It's certainly not a huge distance, but nevertheless took from just before 9 am to well after 4 pm. Maybe it's just me, but if your train is running behind, wouldn't it make sense to cut the length of some of the stops? Y'know, instead of 14 minutes, maybe 10 or even 12? I'm sure there's some sort of logical reason for why they can't though... At least, I'd like to think there is. Anywho, arrived in Prague, remembered belatedly that they aren't on the Euro (as I later discovered, given that the Czech Republic isn't on the Euro, there are exchange offices _everywhere_ - ... read more