Czech it out

Czech 1-2, Czech 1-2 - is this country on? Frank and I rented a Puegot 206 in Munich and drove to the Czech Republic on Wednesday. We fit both of our large suitcases in the car and I was the initial driver across Germany, where we stopped in a beautiful town - Regansburg and ate lunch on the Danube River. I had my first Weiss Weiner - and my last. I was later told that the Weiss Wiener is not supposed to be eaten after noon, and it was 2 p.m. when I ate it. hmmm...still doesn't change my experience or my willingness to give it another shot.

We were stopped at our first Czech point at the border, where we were required to show both passports, the International Driving Permit, and the papers for the car. We passed the initial test, and pulled over to buy a toll pass for $11 US. One of the first things that I noticed is that the businesses changed immediately upon entering this country. First two businesses - Shell gasoline 32 Kc p/liter or $7 p/gallon, and a McDonalds. There was more of an American influence in Czech than in Germany. There was an IKEA, and a few other large quantity stores just outside of the Prague city limits. The owner of the house we stayed at shopped there, as we later found out.

We arrived in Prague just before sun down. It was a truly foreign experience to drive in a city where you don't know quite where you are going, how the street signs are going to look, or where they are located (on the side of the building? how come not on every building? why are there red signs and blue signs?) Frank navigated us through the city, careful not to cross the Vlatva River, as we knew that much about where we were staying. We missed the turn for our street, so in obvious driving situation, we took the next left. Well, that left happened to take us nearly 1.5 miles out of the way, way up the hill, near the castle, and we both had to find a bathroom on top of it all. We pulled over and discovered that we had to drive in a large circle, around the outside of the castle's perimeter to get back to where we were going. Oh, did I mention that it was after work traffic?

About 40 minutes later, having driven 3 miles, I pulled over in the first parking spot I found, which was sort of near where we were staying. We lugged our 50 pound suitcases for a half mile up hill over cobblestone to the House of the Big Boot (Dum e Velty Boty). This was a perfect house to stay at. The owners were very welcoming and provided us with plenty of information to get around town.

So, we were off to a good start. We cleaned up and went to a very nice dinner on the river. After dinner, we moved the car back to the front of the House, which is near the U.S. Embassay, German Embassy, and Irish Embassy. So we encountered another Czech point. They searched under the carriage with a mirror, had us open the hood and the trunk. We passed and were on our way.

Next morning, we went for a run up the hill through a park. Just at the top of the hill, in the middle of the gardens, there were two soldiers holding AK-47 rifles. Whoa. That'll stop any runner in their tracks. We assumed they were still guarding the embassies. The gardens were amazing - so many roses, a replica of the Eiffel Tower, and an amazing view of the City - the land of 1000 spires. It really lives up to its name.

That day we walked probably 5 miles or so, in addition to the run that we took in the morning. We Czeched so many amazing things out. It is truly an easy City to get around, so beautiful, old, historical and many things to do.

Czech you later with more stuff.