September 7th - Praha, Czech Republic

September 7, 2006
Praha, Czech Republic

For the first time in a while we did not change hostels and didn’t have to travel. We took advantage of the situation and slept in till about 10:30. Upon awakening, we all had a big breakfast (pancakes, eggs, banana, orange juice). After breakfast we were all still kind of tired and everyone decided to take a nap. NOTE: while eating, one of our Irish neighbors came out of his room to have breakfast: 3 beers and a cigarette.

I woke up around 1:00 and everyone else was still sleeping. I decided to head out on my own and go check out the Dancing Building. On my way I ran into April and she decided to accompany me.

On our way we got lost several times. The metro signs here are not as clear as those in previous cities we have visited. Still, it was fun and we eventually made it. The building is incredibly strange. It is a modern building that looks as if it has been smashed in or squashed. For those of you interested in architecture, be sure to check it out.

After taking a few pictures, April and I decided to walk back toward Charles Bridge. It was a super hot day and by the time we go there I was quite sweaty. After checking out the bridge again, we decided to grab a beverage (white chocolate raspberry coffee thingy) before cruising thru the Jewish quarter. While walking around, April bestowed some of her old person / lawyer wisdom on me. We chatted about everything from my future to my sweet baby Jackies.

We returned to the hostel at about 5:00 and found that the Bastons and our other roommates were gone. We rounded up several of our neighbors (the crazy irish guys) and played some cards. April taught us this weird game called Yonnif (but I like to call it Yonni). I won the first game and then preceded to come in last almost every other tiem…While playing the Bastons came home and Peter decided to join in on our game and we played until about 8:00. B hung out with the California girls until they had to leave (also around 8:00.

After playing, Peter, April, and I went out for food. We decided to go to a nice(ish) restaurant for dinner. I had a roast chicken with potato dumplings and cabbage (though I almost ordered the pig knuckles – sorry no food pictures mom). We also each got a large mug of beer. At the end of our meal April revealed that dinner would be on her. She said that when she was younger and backpacking, she met an older person (with a good job) that had done the same thing for her. Pete and I said we would carry on the tradition once we can afford it…

We all returned the room very full. After talking with Pete and B about our plan (we decided to head out of town tomorrow) I spent the rest of the evening with our Irish neighbors (Mark, MOB, Peter, and two other guys). They were all drinking Czech Budweiser (not at all affiliated with the USA brand) and telling ridiculous jokes. They were all country boys from Waterford County (which they described as the butt hole of Ireland – look at a map of the country sideways and it looks like a dog, then look where Waterford is…). Mostly we just joked around and they told me how much they all hated our infamous President. They also taught me a new term: sheitnormous – which means very large. I talked with them until about 1:00 in the morning and then headed to bed.

NOTE: I just wanted to let everyone know that the money here is super cool. Everything seems to have lions/dragons on it and all of the politicians look like wizards. Also, I know haven’t been able to post my blog in a long time so I hope everyone stays interested. And, photos of the dancing building will be updated shortly.

PS - I just posted for the last 5 days so if you are interested check em out! And, Dustin just left his first comment! Stu is still dominating everyone...