Prague, Czech Republic

Howdy all! I could not login to the blog at the cafe last night for some reason, but at least managed an email home! No major adventure getting to Prague from Munich, but because I am traveling with a bike it took 7.5 hrs to get there, instead of 6. That is my only complaint about riding the rails with the bike, it's not always the most direct. And I could go on and on about how all of the "bike cars" (the one car of the whole train that is "designated" for bikes) are not the same. One will have practically a WHOLE car for bikes, and another will have standing room only with your bike. I also have a 1st class Eurorail pass that I don't get to use all of the time because my bike is at the tail end of the train, and 1st class is at the front. So my advice, if cycle touring, is to not get a Eurorail pass. I may have made a mistake there, but it wouldn't be my first one, or last in life! I was glad to have 1st class going through Prague. I hate to say it, but it is a rather poor country. Not third world, but I guess second, if that is the proper term. Just getting on the trains and seeing the stations along the way you know that these people have been repressed for many years. I saw quite a bit of ore mining. Not sure what type of ore, maybe coal, or kryptonite for all I know! Also lots of lumber as felled trees were lined up ready to be loaded on the trains. That was once music to my ears, as long as they came in 2x4 or 2x something, but that was another time...... Once I arrived in Prague, or Praha as it is known here, it become an almost different world. It is much more thriving and beautiful. Although the sky's are grey and overcast right now, it is still a historic city with much of it's original structures dating back before 1300. Officially I believe it became a city in 900. My other history tid bit is that it was under Austrian and Hungarian rule for the majority of it's "life". With the capital being Vienna. Many moons ago it became a country and in the 1940's it was given as a present to Hitler from France. Sissy's. The good news is that meant he didn't demolish it like all of the other cities in his wake. After WWII, Russia came in to "save the day" and help pick the country back up and on it's feet again. This went well until the people realized the Communism wasn't the way to run a country. They were nice and free people once before, and things started changing around 1968. But 1989 they were again a free, liberal country, but not without their share of bloodshed.

Ok, enough about the history books, although I find it more fascinating now. My lovely friend, and Rick Masta's girlfriend, Petra Sehnalikova showed up after my arrival and we met for drinks last night. It is so great to see her, and it's hard to believe that it has only been 3 months since she came back to Czech. I know she misses you Rick, so you better hurry up and get over here. By the way, she looks great, and I've given her a big hug from me and the Brunner's! But Rick will be over here in just a couple of weeks, so I'm not too worried about someone snatching her up before he gets here! (But you might want to hurry bro!) I would blog about the actual city of Prague, but I am really tired and it's late. We walked most of the city today and my legs are so tired. I will meet Princess (Rick's nickname for Petra, not mine!) at the station tomorrow morning to walk the city a little more, then she will return to her home east of here by noon. I am going to stick around the city one more night and see if I can find some trouble! Then head to Berlin to find even more :) I hope to post some pictures tomorrow, so check back then. Otherwise I'll just blog from Germany. Ok, g'night!

The astronomical clock.

One of the characters in the clock!

If you notice, there are "newer" buildings in front of the old church. This was what they did everywhere, including the Royal Palace. Land was valuable, so they just built in front of these landmarks without thinking of the future and the people that would come back to view them for decades later.

Inside of one of the churches.

A view of the Royal Palace and Cathedral.

The Charles Bridge.

Petra and I on the Charles Bridge.

Inside the Royal Cathedral.

The King of Czech beer, and a hell of a lot better than the American brand!

The Princess and the Pauper.