DAY 3: PRAGUE, TRIP TO HANNOVER, GERMANY
MORNING

I finally was able to eat breakfast at the Pension. The brought what Americans would call a “lunchmeat plate” with salami, ham, cheese, etc. She brought a strong cappuccino, a mixed juice drink and a nice basket of bread and butter. Delicious and really very effective in expanding my waistline.

After breakfast, I ventured back out into the cold air. I couldn’t find my hat. The falling snow looked amazing against the old buildings.

Mats, Julia’s 14 month kid was intrigued by my laptop, and had the following to write about the event:

• “11111111111111111111111111111`1111111`1
• (2222222222```qq`qqxx”

I ventured across town to Wenceles Square again, and went to “the Down Towner” café (where I wrote yesterday’s update.)

I walked to the Jewish Quarter, saw the standard sites then decided I wanted to get out of the cold and eat. I found a small café that looked interesting. I hadn’t realized that it was a student bar until I was already inside. Dozens of 18 year old kids sat at long tables drinking beer and looking at each other’s cell phones and gabbing about “who liked whom.”

I found a small corner with a miniature table and stool. I ordered a beer, soup (warmth, thank God!), chicken with fries.

I was still cold, especially because I thought had lost my winter hat. I walked across the Vlata and up the walkway to the Prague Castle.

I had a cigarette at the wall of the castle, attempting to fend off the cold.



I was cold and because I hadn’t had beer in like 20 minutes, I searched out a place. So, I could have gotten a 90Kc (or $3.00) beer in the courtyard of the castle or I could go someplace else. I found a tiny café/bar just down from the hill that afforded beers that were 25Kc apiece.


Daniela and Kennedy

An African man and a Czech woman shared the table with me. Eventually, we started talking. They introduced themselves as Kennedy and Daniela and were visiting Prague briefly from Spain. Kennedy, the African, had not seen snow before. We had a nice chat. I realized that I had, in fact, taken too long. The hottie who served me beer served another. I paid, smiling and tipping the hottie extra generously.

I hurried across the Charles bridge and went to get a couple of gifts for friends back home before heading to get my bags and get to the airport.

FLIGHT AND AFTERHOURS

The evening flight to Germany was very uneventful. Sören, Julia’s husband, picked me up at the airport. We went to Panne’s place where they were celebrating his birthday with beer and schnapps. Mats, Marita and Julia were at home, resting from being cold.

Julia and Marita were awake when I arrived at their house, an hour later or so. They hugged me and went to sleep as Sören, Peter, Marita and Sören had to work the following morning.

INTRODUCING THE BUNDY FAMILY (i.e. The Balke Family)

Oh, Marita and Peter are the parents. Julia is the only child and she is married to Sören. Oma and Opa live nearby. You might hear talk of Birgett and Schmittel, the crazy aunt (Marita’s sister) and uncle. Their kids are Kristof and Jessica. Oh, almost forgot. Julia has a new 14 year old baby boy named “Mats.” The name is similar to mine and people confuse the names a lot. No. Not just a lot, but CONSTANTLY.
- posted by Matt @ 9:20 AM