Leaving Prague

Rhonda and I did make it back to the Jewish Cemetery and the various synagogues around it. The cemetery is famous for several reasons: one of course, is its age; the other is that due to very limited space, bodies had to be buried one on top of the other so there are several layers deep. Consequently, the headstones are packed closely together (picture).

We then spent a half day on the top of the hill in Prague with Marta Pinke, a lovely woman we have met through Vic whom we met through Delma! Anyway, she accompanied us up the funicular (cable car) where we were afforded a terrific view of the city. We walked back down stopping part way to enjoy a beer and the scenery before us. Ines took the cable car back down the hill and had to pay a 20 euro bribe because she hadn't validated her ticket. When Marta found out, she marched right back and confronted the man and shamed him into giving it back to Ines! Stopped in the church St Thomas to view the baby Jesus of Prague which was a gift from the Spaniards. Marta took us to her lovely flat and fed us a terrific dinner. She invited Rod as well so we had a lively evening of conversation.

Yesterday, we took a full-day tour 2 1/2 hrs outside of Prague to Cesky Krumlov, a medieval town with a castle and charming village. Our two pictures of it show you the view from the castle of the town and from the town of the castle! It was picturesque and the drive through the countryside of South bohemia was beautiful. Cesky Krumlov is a Unesco heritage site and dates back to the 13th century.

Arrived home to a very late, and delicious, dinner at a restaurant close to our flat. Today, we have to pack up and leave. Rod's stopping by for a quickie visit in the am. Then, Rhonda and I are doing all our last minute shopping. Paul, I can't promise you absinthe (very pricey) but I'll try to at least get you a single serving taste! Then, it's back out to Unhost where Vic is going to give us a tour.

All is well. Weather has been pretty cooperative with some cloud and little rain. Perfect for sightseeing. Sounds better than what most of you are experiencing! We are eager to see news of the Royal wedding.

You'll hear of us from Munich next.

Love you all,
Rhonda, Ines and Laura

Rain, rain, go away!

Prague is an incredibly beautiful and historic city. Coming from baby Canada is always amazes me the sheer age of other places. We have been enjoying the city and its people immensely but the weather has been less than cooperative. The day we arrived it was warm and gorgeous but since then it has turned cool and wet. We haven't let it stop us though! We wish we'd brought a pedometer so we could log our steps!

On Monday, Rod wasn't working so he, and eventually his two kids Andrej and Nikola, joined us on a walking tour of the old city. We walked across the Charles bridge built in 1357 by Charles IV; wandered around St Vitus's Cathedral and Prague Castle; meandered through the windy streets (and I mean windy - I don't think there are any straight streets to be found here) lined with colourful, etched and be-statued buildings; ate a picnic lunch in Kampa with two winos dining at the next bench; walked past a wall dedicated to John Lennon after his death (picture) which people are continually changing and adding to; visited the moving memorial to the victims of communism (picture); tried not to break a leg on the cobblestones; and sampled local delicacies. It was an informative, fascinating and exhausting day. It ended with Rod cooking us dinner in his studio apartment at the top of an apartment building in a charming part of the city.

Today, Ines took a break so Rhonda and I walked miles yet again. First we went to visit the Jewish Cemetary and area of old Prague but it was closed so we have to return tomorrow. We then booked a day tour for Thursday to Ceskykrumlov, a Unesco World Site about 2 1/2 hrs outside of Prague. It's supposed to be magical. Passed by the magnificent National Theatre and entered a different section of town to go to the City of Prague Museum. It was a small and not very significant museum but for one thing - a miniature replica of the city in the late 1700's in complete accuracy and detail. Only about 50% of those buildings survive today. Joined Rod and his "ex-pat" friends for Tuesday night beers where we were regaled by their stories of how they came to Prague and ended up staying. It's tempting to say the least!

It's late and my travel companions are long asleep. So I bid you all goodnight. Still no email access for me by the way! It keeps telling me my name and/or password are wrong which they aren't so I can't figure it out.

Hope all is well with you.

love to all,

Rhonda, Laura and Ines

Czech Point

Finally, with Rod's help, we have accessed the blog! So much to catch up on and so little time!

First, our flight. It was easy, fast and uneventful. Thanks for the lift out, Don! We tried to sleep but only fitfully. Air Canada surprised us by actually providing food, pillow, a blankie and earphones. Arrived safely and conquered the S bahn.  Found our way to Ines' apartment and spent the rest of the day catching up.  We walked around her neighbourhood, visited her school and stopped at a local "biergarten".  Guess which stop was the most enjoyable????  (yes, finally, Laura is letting me type)  We were tired by the time 11 pm rolled around as we had very little sleep. Those 10 beers really hit us hard.  So, sweet dreams in Munich the first night.  Great to see and meet Ines.

Our first morning we took our time to get a few errands out of the way.  Walked to pick up the rental car.  You will all be jealous.  With all of the German varieties to choose from, we are driving a Ford Focus Wagon.  Yes, you read that right.  We picked up Alex on the street corner (a friend of Laura's that she met in South Africa), and drove through the country side to the foot hills of the Alps.  Final destination, Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the most famous sites in Bavaria.  It was built 120 years ago by King Leopold II and it is the castle that Disney based their Castle on.  The physical surroundings are beautiful.  We will attach a picture for you to see for yourself.  However, pictures do not do it justice.  Once we toured the castle, we drove back and stopped in at a local restaurant to sample their cuisine.  Rhonda passed on the hare (only because it was Easter...so wrong) but Laura tried venison goulash.  We washed it all down with a local beverage.  (use your imagination)  Then, finished the drive back to Munich, first dropping Alex off where we found her, back on the bench.  It was wonderful to see her again.  She may (or may not) be anxious to see us again next weekend.  Stay tuned to find out.

Today...a little late start to the day.  We drove from Munich to Unhost (just outside Prague), where we parked the rental in the garage at a friend's home.  Vic, the homeowner, was gracious enough to allow us to use the garage for our time in Prague.  Rumour has it that parking rates are outrageous.  He then packed us, and our luggage, into his teenie tiny little vehicle, for the drive to the metro.  Rod met us at our stop and guided us to our rental flat, where we were happy to drop our bags.  We left the flat for dinner and to explore the city.  We enjoyed a typical Czech meal and had some great conversations.  We then took a speedy walking tour to Wensceslas Square, the scene of the uprising in 1989.  (The Velvet Revolution)

Tomorrow, Rod will meet us in the morning and we will tackle a complete walkthrough of historic downtown Prague.  Until then.

na zdraví

Rhonda and Laura

So half of the foursome from Social Services Centre East are going off again! This time, Laura and Rhonda are heading to Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. They will be renewing friendships with a long ago roommate, more recent friends made on a trip to South Africa, and one of the Turkey gang! Looking forward to making fantastic memories and seeing the beauty of that area of the world. We'll keep you posted (excuse the pun). It has been a bit of touch and go as to whether this would actually happen due to unforseen ill health of Rhonda's mom. But, at the moment, it looks like a go. So, get ready to read of the new adventures of the EFACE Gals!