Coming home Thu, Mar 05, 2009

Last night the 2 young girls who checked in were terribly noisy. Their suitcases outweighed them and they kept zipping and unzipping them, alternated with rattling plastic. And the constant talking. One could not possibly be listening to the other as they talked simultaneously. At midnight I reminded them that I was getting up at 4am and that I intended to be just as noisy as they were. And it worked! But I still woke up before the alarm--which means they didn't have to hear it. And that I got less than 4 hours sleep. Because I was already packed, it took me 15 minutes to dress, brush my teeth and hair and throw down a quick cup of coffee. I find that I am usually able to get somewhere--in fact I put lost of energy into planning how to arrive for an adventure. And no thought for how to get back until a day before. My flight was7:15am and the airport was better than an hour from my hostel by public transportation. I've had uneven luck with taxis. When it has gone well, they are expensive. When it's gone badly, it is more expensive. Either they take the scenic route or they cannot make change, forcing you to leave them with a large tip. The most frightened I've ever been in a car was a taxi ride from JFK to Manhattan. (I suspect I've had more dangerous rides, but never so very sober ones) The trams were running, but I walked to Metro station Mustek, which was locked tight. It opened, eventually the train came and then 4 stops and the rush up the stairs to catch the 119bus transport to the airport. I knew if it ran on schedule, it would arrive at 5:08 and I had an entire minute to spare. I had forgotten how very long the bus ride was. Did I only arrive a week ago? Had to ask which of the three terminals I needed to get off at (terminal 2). The perfect English voice over the bus intercom said that terminal 1 was for private planes, Terminal 3 was for the (unintelligible Asian sounding word) and Switzerland. Terminal 2 was for outside the (unintelligible Asian sounding word). Well, I felt like an outsider, so Terminal 3 it was. Plus it's where everyone else with luggage got off. On the plane to Paris, I sat near a man in his mid-60s from Lebanon. I find it very interesting what people tell you about themselves. He offered that he was visiting ex-wives number 1 and 2, plus his godsons, who were in their 30s, the sons of ex-wife #1, after their divorce. He had been married three times total, but had also lived with women. "But this you cannot do so freely in Lebanon as in Paris". He was leaving a woman behind in Lebanon, though I didn't get the impression that he was married to her. It pained him, I could almost see a tear in his eye and with that I think I may have begun to see the secret of his attraction: passion. It wasn't looks. He was not ugly, but I would call his face "interesting and worn" rather than handsome. He was portly, no longer young. But he spoke with enthusiasm. He had left Paris to help the refugees in Lebanon resettle after the "civil war". He said it was hard and frustrating work. Only 11% of those displaced had been able to go home, and those were the ones who had not left the country. He was on his way to Paris also for a conference on which he was to speak and also to, along with others from around the world, determine the definition of Terrorism. "But this will cut the hands of many". Terrorism can only be "the killing of the innocent" and this will mean that states, countries are terrorists too. He lamented the expected war with Israel; he did not see how it could be avoided. He was on the side of Lebanon, clearly. But he wasn't against Israel. He actually gave me hope, though he claimed to have none himself. If a passionate man, clearly on one side of the debate could speak kindly of the other side, well that is how peace starts, no? My wait in Paris is just long enough to be tedious, but not long enough to give me time to take a quick taxi to see the city. This would be one time I'd risk a taxi too. But my typing and sitting at the gate has drawn attention. A security guard walked up to me and spoke in French. Two others were several steps behind her but paying close attention. When I identified myself as American, she asked for my boarding pass. I know I look like a bag lady, but I've always been identified as harmless. My rumpled trousers which have lost a button, messy hair and lack of make up probably are frightening to the French. "Ah, you must wait," she said. Then she looked at me with a sad expression, "I am sorry." But it was clear she wasn't sorry about my time wasted she was sorry that my appearance was messing up their lovely lobby. I was lowering the standards for all women. I realized after she left that I had crumbs on my shirt. I bet they have sensors that can detect the two chin hairs I seriously need to pucks. Women simply don't go around looking frumpy. Make up must be perfect, complete with eyeliner. No backpacks, perfectly coiffed hair and an Hermes scarf are de rigueur. And that's just for the grocery. So to them I am a terrorist, though I only slay the image of fashion. Well, if you can't set a good example, be a horrible warning!

Prague, Wednesday, the 7th and final full day Mar 04, 2009

Fernando's computer went off at 7am and that seemed like a good time to get up. I slept well. The room was much warmer the last 2 nights, so the adjustments to heat seem to be working for me, though everyone else has a window open. I keep getting these emails from all of you saying how brave I am. Seriously, after you've gotten used to driving in Atlanta, hardly anything seems dangerous. Prague is a city of 1.2 million people (Atlanta has 4 million) so it has the same dangers as any other large city. Most of the crime is theft: pickpockets, purse snatchers. You can guard yourself against this. If you take care when crossing the street you have 90% of the dangers licked. And you can't protect yourself from everything. The thing I keep learning when I travel or backpack is that most people are good. I don't flash large sums of money or fancy jewelry to tempt anyone and I try not to make myself a target. Exactly the things I do at home. But most people will help you if they can, or at least do you no harm. This isn't much more dangerous than visiting NYC and far safer than crossing Buford Highway during rush hour. (My friend Dave tells me that is a little like saying it’s no more dangers than sword dancing on a freshly waxed floor!) I managed the tram back to the National Theater (Naroodni Divadlo) to take photos of Prague castle and St Vitus Cathedral again. My night photos are poor, so a day photo will work too. I am using the little Nikon Coolpix I just bought. I love my larger Nikon, but it is not practical to travel with. Plus this one is 10 Mega pixels with a decent zoom. Will see how they turn out when I get home. I think my photos are improving with use, but it probably would have made sense to read the instructions before I left. (Instructions are for amateurs!) For as much as my feet ache at night, I'm surprised at how very good they feel in the morning. I wear trail runners--hardly a fashion statement!--with special insoles and I think it does make a difference. Today's excursion is to Kutna Hora, a silver mining town 70km east of Prague. In the trip out, I was kept occupied by a lovely Welsh couple, who told me stories about her father, who had a pet sheep that road in the car with him. When they told me they planned 4 meals a day plus snacks "cause ya neva know when a fah-meen ca happen", I knew these were people I'd like. It is interesting the impression one has of another country. The man has been watching a Welch TV program about extreme fishing around the world. The 2 US segments fascinated him. In LA, they were using a glove to reach under rocks and grab catfish, which usually bit the glove as well. In FL, the program showed shooting fish with a bow and arrow. I hated to tell him that I'd never even heard of the glove catching technique. I think he was under the impression both stlyes were common sport. He was thrilled to know that my brother has done some bow and arrow fishing, though. Kutna Hora was settled by monks in the 11th Century and in fact "kutna" is the name for a monks robes. According to legend, a monk dreamed about the silver mines here and lay his robe on the spot where silver was later found in the 12th century. By the 13th century these mines were providing a third of Europe's silver and the Prague Groshen (coin) was one of the most stable currencies. By the time the Osel mine was closed in the 16th century, it had been the deepest mine in the world for 200 years, at 600 meters. Our first stop was at the Church of All Saints in Sedlec, just outside Kutna Hora. This small church is located near the original monastery (which is now a tobacco plant, owned by Philip Morris, go figure). The church's cemetery was very popular because it had been sprinkled with dirt from the Holy Land. By the 16th century they began digging up the bones and storing then in the chapel. By 1890 there were the bones of about 40,000 people, so a rich family commissioned a man to form the bones into decorative piles and arrangements. It is truly the last word in decorative styles! The Ossuary has garlands of long bones and skulls, four huge pyramids, even a coat of arms all done in human bones. I admit, this was the main reason I came on this tour. Hummmm I'm seeing a macabre pattern: ossuary, Terezin, the Museum of Torture...Maybe therapy? In town we were given a walking tour, traditional Czech lunch, then we continued the tour with the Church of St Barbara, protector of miners. It was begun in the 13th century, though building continued through to the early 20ith. It is mostly Gothic, with some Baroque touches, flying buttresses, and modern painted windows. Our tour guide, Tonya, was so interesting. A tiny woman of indeterminate age, she was trained and worked as an electrical Engineer, then worked in copy write law before taking the test to become a guide. She speaks 4 languages, but claims to "have forgotten how to speak Russian". And then she smiles. We got back to Prague with enough time for me to visit the Museum of Comunism. It isn't great, but an interesting novelity. I learned a lot. While there, I met a Frenchman, currently living in Jersey, who told me I was very lovely and should have dinner with him. Even though I suspect he was hoping I'd pay for dinner, it did wonders for my ego. I politely declined and wished him well. My plan is to have an early, lite dinner and make it an early night. My plane leaves at 7:15a and I'll have to be at the Metro when it starts running at 5am to make it. I will be very sad to leave Prague tomorrow. I have tried hard to capture the city of Prague and the few surounding areas I've visited. But of course, I've failed, as one always fails to explain a place, an experience. Now that the end is in sight, I realize I've forgotten to say so much: that the place is so clean, the lovely statues everywhere, the shear amount of art--even the sidewalks are patterned mosaics. This city has seen humanity from the stone age, probably before, and it must have a million stories to tell. I have not even scratched the surface of this amazing place. So I try to capture what one can in a mear week. It is not enough. Three lifetimes would not be. And yet it is still wonderful. As Rick Steves says, "Travel is one of the last legal forms of adventure." So come to Prague yourself, or where ever your heart leads you. And take my travel
advice: Pack light, wear good shoes and never, never miss an opportunity to pee!

Prague, Day 6 Tue, Mar 03, 2009

I must have been making up for lost sleep--or just wearing myself out. I slept about 11 hours last night. Even though I had cereal and 2 cups of coffee, I may lay down for a nap. I was the first one up this morning--in truth anyone up before noon will be. I tiptoed through the boys room. Made my morning ablutions as quietly as possible. Started the water pot for instant coffee. Reached for a "clean" mug (trust nothing is really clean) and snagged a plate with my sleeve which came crashing to the floor. The entire floor stopped in mid snore. Darn! I wanted to be the quiet one! There was nothing to do but clean up the mess. I had on shoes, thankfully, and so I went about picking up the larger pieces. There was no broom to sweep up the smaller ones and I know all the men go about bare foot. In the end, I wet paper towels and went over the floor hoping to pick up all the small pieces. I certainly got most of them, but feel I deserve at least an associate’s degree in archeology for the layers of "civilization" I scrubbed up as well. I will NEVER go barefoot in a hostel. One thing I keep noticing--usually in the seedy sections of town--is "Black Light" Theater. No idea what this is, but suspect it isn't a show you'd tell your mother you attended. Find it interesting that it is usually described as "Traditional". How many traditions include electricity? 2pm--I don't know how it is for others, but I spend a good deal of time simply lost when I travel. This morning after a late start, I managed to hit all three metro lines before I got to my stop at Vyshrad. Clearly I only needed 2, but if you get on the wrong way even once.... But now is a good time to mention how very polite I find the Czech people. They are exceptionally courteous in the Metro--on par with Londoners. And judging by the book shops and the number of people carrying books, people read here. It is a good sign. What started off as a lark--a walk through Vysehrad, has turned into a lovely day and so interesting! The weather was not lovely because it rained all day, but once I finally got off on the right metro stop I found an historic park along the Vltava. According ancient legend Vysehrad (hrad means castle) was the first seat of the Premyslids, the original ruling dynasty, in the early 800AD. There are ruins of 10th century churches and fortifications, beneath 14th century fortification build by Charles IV. I passed right under the impressive Leopold (II) gate, part of a 17th century wall. These were widened further by the French in the early 18th. It makes your head spin. All of it allowed amazing vistas of Prague, though I don't know how well my photographs will look in the rain and mist. Just below Vysejrad rock was a small underground museum, part of the fortification, that wasn't in my guide book. For 30Kc ($1.50) I got to read quite a bit of history and just as much myth. The park adjoins the SS Peter and Paul Church, founded by Vratislav II in the 11 Century. The current building has foundation from the mid-13th Century (though excavations show a Roman Bridge beneath one corner) which has been build, rebuilt and renovated many times. The twin spires that dominate the skyline are Neo-Gothic, finished in 1902. The Cemetery here is the most beautiful I've ever seen. A clash of styles, it was founded in 1869 as a burial place for Czech's most famous citizens. I photographed Dvorak grave site and a few dozen others. On the way out of the park, I photographed a tiny Romanesque church, built in late 11th century, St Martin's Rotunda. And my guidebook identified a". "Devil's Column" that supposedly sprang up after the Devil lost a bet with a clergyman. It wasn't marked in any way. It would have been difficult to identify much of this area without a good guidebook.Back on the Metro and I was feeling so good (my feet have been sore, but today's walk was not so much stone) I decided to explore the Little Quarter (Male Strana) that sits below Prague castle. I visited St Nicholas' Church (Kostel sv Mikulase). Building began in 1703. It is an amazing Baroque church. The ceiling frescos are in poor shape, but the rest of the church is lovely. They have an organ Mozart played. You must see the photos. I walked around the square and took photos of the buildings and the Castle high above. Walked back across the Charles Bridge and through the Charles Gate. The rain had stopped by then and I did a bit of window shopping. The glassware and figurines are lovely, but I don't know how I'd get any of it home in one piece. On a lark I went in the museum of Medieval Torture Instruments because the lovely British ladies who were exiting so recommended it. It was really interesting in a morbid way. 7pm I am now at UBubenickU, listed as a traditional Czech restarance. I'm having a dark (tmave) beer (pivo) which my watress assured me has less alcohol than light (svetle). For supper I have ordered Staroceska svickova (old Bohemian sirloin) which the menu says is beef in cream sauce with lemon, cranberries and whipped cream. I can't imagine this is good, but every traditional menu has had something like it, so that should mean something. Sure enough the meat arrives with whipped cream straight from a can piped on top. The meat is tough but flavorful and the gravy is sweet. I can taste the lemon. It works, though I would never have put this together myself. And with the dumplings, I won't have to leave a drop of the gravy behind! It is interesting to question the bill because unlike in the US, the price is not the price. I was charged for dumplings (that I didn't order, but were added to my plate), "bread and paper" (I assume she meant my napkin?) And service. Still it' hard to argue with the price. The meal came to 210Kc ($11.50) and was more than I could eat. I find that my ear is beginning to understand a little of the language. I can now hear when my stop is called on the metro and respond Dobry den when someone greets me. I was able to say prosim vas when I bumped into someone today (please forgive me). Still working on thank you, Dekuji vam (DIE ku ji VAHM). The main reason I travel in the off season is $, of course. But there are other advantages. For instance, I look a bit like a homeless bag lady when I travel. I'm usually tired, about half sick and disheveled at best. And the older I get the less attractive "disheveled" looks. I don't say these things to complain. It is well worth the price to me. But traveling during winter you find that everyone is dragging coats, scarves and has "hat hair". My naturally ruddy completion only looks like I've been in the cold like everyone else. And at least my straight hair remains so with a quick comb through. In short, I think I fit in and look less like a tourist, an ugly American. Well, until I open my mouth, that is. After dinner, I took a walk along the river Vltava and tried again to get a photo at night of the Prague Castle and the National Theatre. Better than last night in the rain, but still probably not good. When I got back to the hostel I found I no longer have a private room. I didn't pay for one, so really I've just been lucky so far. Fernando is from Spain but has worked in England and Florida, so his English is quite good. He is currently watching a movie. Most everyone seems to bring laptops. I thought it would be too heavy and fragile plus I was afraid it would be stolen. Tomorrow is my last day as I'll be leaving so very early Thursday. In some ways it seems like I've just gotten here, but in others I feel like I've actually settled in a bit. It seemed so very "foreign" when I got here, but now things are beginning to seem normal.

Prague, Day 5

Last night I slept without aid of earplugs or pillow over my head! This wing is really quite full, but everyone is quiet. I had a nice talk with two of the young me here. One Scottish, the other Irish (they had to tell me as I can only occasionally figure it out by accent alone) they were having a wonderful time and blissfully unaware of most of the historic sites. For them, Prague is one big pub crawl. But they seemed happy and certainly kept their partying outside the hostel, so who am I to complain? My room was quite chilly last night. They don't turn on the heat through the day. This is steam/radiator heat and mine is the farthest room from the heat source, so it was the middle of the night before my room warmed. I added my long undies to my jammies, and I carry a silk sleep sheet--essentially a thin sleeping bag. I brought it in case the beds were not clean, but it also works as a thermal layer. Staying in a hostel is not for those who need luxuries like heat and privacy! By this morning my room was toasty. Today I toured the Jewish Quarter, Josefov. For centuries Prague Jews were confined to ghettos and suffered from oppressive laws. In Prague, when Jews left the ghetto, they were required to wear a yellow hat. At first a mark of shame, they redefined it as a mark of distinction and used it in banners and symbols. Discrimination is particularly relaxed in 1784 by Joseph II, and the Jewish Quarter was named Josefov after him. In 1890s, the overcrowded slums of the ghetto were razed. City authorities installed basic sanitation, but almost all thr building were demolished. Only the town hall (unusual for a Jewish quarter), cemetery and some of the synagogues were saved. The Jewish community of Prague was decimated during the Holocaust, so it was fitting that I started my tour at the Pinkas Synagogue. It's walls are covered with the names of the Czech Jews who died, along with their birthdates and the last known date they were alive--usually the date of their transportation to a death camp. Under Soviet control, the names were painted over, but after 1989 they were once again handwritten. The names are continuously read aloud. Upstairs is a display of drawings from the children sent to Terezin. Next stop was the Old Jewish Cemetery. This was established in first half of the 15th Century and was the only place that Jews could be buried. An estimated 12,000 tombstones are crowded together, but the number buried there is much higher, as at least 12 layers of bodies are stacked one top of each other. The level kept being raised over the years, though the stone were always lifted up. It had a very hard time making out any of the tombstones and there were only two tombs that were marked. Next was the Klausen Synagogue, which now houses an exhibit of Jewish customs. The Ceremonial Hall looks like a tiny medieval castle. It is alongside the cemetery and houses an interesting exhibit on death and burial customs. The Old-New Synagogue was build around 1270 and is the oldest in Europe. The exterior is a distinctive 14th century stepped brick. Services are still held here. The last two synagogues contain silver and some gold treasures from all over Bohemia and Moravia. Many of these amazing pieces were saved by the Nazis who planned to open a museum to a dead race once all the Jews had been exterminated. These treasures are housed in the Maisel and Spanish synagogues. The latter is an amazing, Moorish style, said to resemble the Alhambra in Spain. It is the most beautiful of them all. For lunch, between synagogues, I stopped at the U Golem, at Golem--the mythical creature created by Rabbi Low to protect the quarter at night. The restaurant is small but quite fancy. I was not really hungry, but had some gluwein (mulled wine) and soup. Service is slow, but the food always arrives too hot to eat or drink and with fresh bread. The restaurant is lovely with old bottles of wine, brass candlesticks. But the music is The Best of the Mamas and the Papas. An Italian family came in shortly after me. Why am I not surprised that the only Italian I can remember involves food? I perfectly understood their order! In case of a food ordering emergency in Italy, I am prepared! As I left U Golem, they were playing the song "Love grows where my Rosemary Goes". I think that was popular the year I first attended Girl Scout camp. It seems so out of place here, but most of the music I hear is American or at least English lyrics. With the rebuilding of the Jewish Quarter at the turn of the 20ith century, most of the buildings are Art Nouveau. But there are also a few examples of Cubist architecture, a fashion that didn't become popular much of anywhere else. Still it is a beautiful area and many of my photos are just lovely building facades. Speaking of photos, the ones I took today in the Jewish Quarter are stolen. "No Photo" signs are everywhere. I turned off the flash and took a few, but not all will come out, I'm sure. 7pm DinnerI've just had a wonderful potato soup--the secret is always garlic, lots of garlic. And I have learned to say "prosim ucet" (PRO seem OO chet) Check, please. I've gotten better about checking the bill (today I was "accidentally" charged for something). I find that you are often charged for service, so I don't add a tip. This language would be much more difficult to learn than Spanish or Italian. I think I have the coins figured out, but it would take years to learn the language. But I don't have all the map figured out. I guess I had not had enough adventure this evening because I managed to get myself lost. I took a wrong turn and ended up by the Vltava River in front of the National Theater. It is an amazing building and I'd love to see it from the river, but there are few boat cruises this time of year. I could also see Prague Castle across the water and just make out St. Vitus' Cathedral in the dark. It was raining, no moon visible so the photo won't come out. If I had a tripod, this would be the best view of the castle at night. At this point I really *should* have pulled out my map. It was dark. It was raining. I was lost, mostly. Instead I got on a tram, and in 3 stops I was really lost! So I did pull out a map, figured where I was, found a Metro stop and made it back. And I got milk and snacks for tomorrow. But I'm not sure what I'm doing tomorrow. I planned to go to Kutna Hora (a mining town) and ossuary (sort of a wild bone church) but the tour doesn't run this time of year. But my guide book has a walk along Vysehrad, according to legend the first seat of Czech Royalty. I can see the spot where Princess Libuse is said to have seen the future glory of Prague! How could I miss all that? Another adventure tomorrow!

Prague, Day 4 Sunday March 1

So much for the darling boys in the room next door. They are now the loud lads. I did get some sleep last night, but only with both earplugs and a pillow over my head! Honest I didn't mind that they were playing music loudly; it was their choice in music. Isn't Rap dead yet? I still hope it will go the way of disco. They damaged the shower, completely removed a panel so that it will now be impossible to keep the water inside the shower. No one was at the 24/7 desk this morning, so I let myself out with the pass code. I packed everything up this morning and will change rooms tonight. Today I went to Terezin Concentration camp. This was not a "death" camp but many who passed through went to them. Terezin was built by Emperor Joseph II from 1780 to 1790. It is named after his mother, Maria Theresa. Built as a fortification guarding the North entrance of the Czech lands from Prussia. It consists of a smaller fortification for defense and a larger garrison town. But it was never used for defense. The small fortification became a prison for mainly political prisoners. WWI was started by an assassination. The men charged with the murder were held at Terezin. The gunman died 4 years later, officially of tuberculosis, but punishment was harsh. The Nazi invaded the Czech lands in 1939. Immediately began using the small fortress as a prison, mostly for Communist Czechs, political prisoners. The garrison town was cleared to be used as a Jewish Ghetto. Those there were no gas chambers here (construction was started, but not completed) there were crematoriums. Conditions were horrible and people died of malnutrition, lack of sanitation, overcrowding. Current estimates are that 155,000 men, women and children came to the camp between 1942 to 1945. Sometime as many as 60,000 were here at one time. (By contrast, the garrison held 7,500 before it was emptied for a ghetto) Of these, 35,000 died here, 87,000 were sent to death camps (mostly Auschwitz). Approximately 3,600 of those sent out were liberated at other camps. The tour includes 2 cemeteries, a walk through the small fortification, the crematorium/morgue and two museums, the former boys school showing children’s drawing and the former women's house containing drawings, writing, music and a portion of a propaganda film made for the Red Cross. Mostly original furnishings are on display. The place looks cold, wet miserable. This was all very interesting and moving. The shear numbers of people, the waste. It is hard to take in. It is surprising then that the thing I found most chilling was the sign over the entrance: "Arbeit macht frei" I don't remember learning this phrase, though I'm sure I've been exposed to it. I could translate it instantly, "work will make you free". But it didn't, of course. The other thing was the group showers. You could see how easy it would be to gas people in mass. Chilling. The guide spent a lot of time talking about all the preparations for the Red Cross visit of the camp--how the Nazis had 8 months to prepare and the visit took only 6 hours. Our guide, Jane (pronounced YA ney) is an unusual woman and I can't help but imagine that she has been greatly affected by this work. She seems German to me and walks through her spiel as though this is her penance. I'm sure she is speaking Czech, but it sounds German, and no one else does. When I say German, I really mean a caricature of a German: contained and ramrod straight, commanding, stern, and needing to control us. She would try to give us time to look on our own, but you could see that she could not control herself and had to start explaining the displays, even the ones with detailed explanations. Jane is also very bitter about the Yalta Conference and feels the East and particularly the Americans abandoned the Czech people to Russia. She spoke with hatred about the bombing here (which was less than in Germany) saying that the US "wanted to break up things so that the Soviets would not be getting such a strong country". She mentioned this no less than 6 times and implied we should feel guilty. She is, of course, far too young to have experienced the Yalta conference, but she would well remember Soviet control and the Velvet Revolution! Jane never mentioned whether she was Jewish, but I think she is not. She is probably my age. Also, the entire Terezin area was under water in 2002. The Jewish cemetery stayed submerged for almost a year. You can see the watermark on most of the buildings. Hard to say what was lost in this flood. Frankly there are few signs in any language and with out a guide, you wouldn't get much from the visit, particularly of the cemeteries and small fortress, though the 2 museums are well marked in 4 languages. It is hard to say what will become of this area. The town emptied out about 10 years ago when the army left. Now only the old remain as there are no jobs. The Jewish cemetery has 9,000 graves. Approximately 22,000 cremains were dumped into the river when the Germans abandoned the camp. Another 3,000 were buried hastily. There is no way to identify any of them. At the end of the tour we were deposited at Republic Square, site of the Powder Gate and former site of a small palace. It is near Tyn Church and the Old Town square. Tyn church has dark, twin towers, but the church is "closed for climatic conditions". The St. Nicholas church on the edge of the old town square is open. It has the most beautiful crystal chandelier I've seen. Amazing frescos. (There is also a St Nicholas church in the Male Strana, Little Quarter.) I had a sausage and beer on the square and watch various street musicians before going back to the hostel for a break. LaterI've moved to another room! It is the same set up in that I have to walk through another bedroom to get to my small private room, which I can lock. I feel good about this because the four Italian men are cooking and it smells wonderful! Also one of them is reading a Bill Bryson book, one of my favorite authors. And it does not hurt that they are more mature and very handsome. The hostel mistress went with me to help me move, concerned that there would be trouble and to inspect the shower. I already had everything packed, even my bedding, so it took about 2 minutes to move. No problems. I'll go out for dinner, but will "try" for something lite. Assuming that is possible! I've just checked and I've only taken 415 photos so far! 7pmI've come to Jama for dinner after the enthusiastic recommendation of the hostel mistress and a 10% off coupon. This is what a Czech must imagine an American bar is like. There are posters every where. But such a mix: Johnny Cash, Kiss, Kathy Ireland, R.E.M., Robert Plant, Janis Joplin, Yoda and Muhammad Ali, to name a few. I order a grog (hot rum with sugar and lemon) because it is warm and cheaper than hot tea. They claim to serve "tradion food of Czechy" but I only see goulash listed on the back page. The rest of the menu is hamburgers, wings and potato skins. There is one salad, but it is iceberg lettuce with fried chicken and bacon. I decide that I'm not really that hungry and it's probably tough to ruin potato skins, so that's all I order. The potatoes are tiny, but they've managed to put a pound of bacon into 6 potato halves. And melted cheese. And sour cream. My arteries will be permanently damaged by this trip. I set aside the sour cream and some of the cheese, but keep the bacon. As Elle McPherson--whose poster stares as me across the room--I could be a vegetarian, except for bacon!

Prague, Day 3Sat, Feb 28, 2009

01:57 PMA new day and a new dilemma. First how to dress and eat breakfast with 8 young men sleeping in the next room, a room I must go through to get to the kitchen or bath. Once I heard their snoring I realized this was not going to be a problem! If that racket didn't wake them, nothing I could do would. I had planned to take a bus tour to Terezin today, but I'm locked in the hostel. Despite assurances that the desk is manned "nonstop" and "24/7" it is locked up tight, as is the exit gate. It is now almost 9am and I will have to wait. There is a phone number to call, but I don't have an international phone. The phone in the room just rings reception and no one answers. But there are businesses here too and I hope that one of them will show soon. In the meantime, I will read and re-plan my day. I did hear the 8 lads come in early this morning. No idea what time it was, except that it was after 3am. I could hear them through my earplugs perfectly when one of them said "Shhhh. That old lady is next door." Honest, my very first thought was that I wondered who they were talking about. Had someone else moved in? But of course they meant me! It is hard to imagine that I am old enough to be their mother. When did that happen? Later: A shopkeeper, who spoke no English finally opened the door at 9:40a and I was free! I now have the correct passcode and this should not be repeated tomorrow morning!I did spend my time wisely, studying the public transportation system and have a better grasp. I've also discovered I've been traveling illegally for 2 days. I bought a 5 day pass, but didn't understand how to validate it. People regularly travel with no valid pass. If you are caught it is a 700Kc fine on the spot. By contrast, a month pass is 550Kc. So today I validated my pass and am legal. I went back to Prague Castle and St. Vitus Church. I took a different route there and passed by the ministry of defense. The building is uncharacteristically pink! Perhaps they are in touch with their feminine side? Admission to the cathedral is free at the moment because the government and the Catholic Church are arguing over who owns it. I also took the English audio tour. Signage is poor, though typically if there is a sign, it will also have an English translation. The audio tour wasn't very good and I would have done just as well with my tour guidebook. I buy the DK series City Guides and noticed many others use it to, in various languages. It looks to be the most popular for Prague travelers. St. Vitus Cathedral was finally completed in the 20ith century, but began in 1344. It sports flying buttresses and Gargoyles and a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The original entrance "The Golden Portal" is undergoing renovations, but the mosaic of The Last Judgment reminded me of St Marks in Venice. Highlights inside the cathedral are the stained glass, all 20ith century, particularly one by Mucha; tomb of St Nepomuk crafted from solid silver; and St. Wenceslas' Chapel, with walls of semi-precious stones and gold. I did not get to see much of the palace which was a huge disappointment. The lower Romanesque levels were open, but these only form the cellars of the castle. The upper floors were closed. No explanation and no refund given. I did get to see St George's convent, and Golden Lane (tiny houses, which are now shops, named after the goldsmiths who lived there in 17th century). I also got to see the changing of the guards. Like their British counterparts, the guards are very grim while standing at attention outside their phone booth sized shacks. Their uniforms need an update as they look very Russian drab to me. On the way back I stopped at a street vender for a very late lunch of sausage on roll. They were selling gluwein (hot, mulled wine) for 20Kc. A Coke was 35Kc. At Wenceslas Square is a small plaque to Jan Palach who burned himself to death Jan 16, 1969 to protest the Soviet occupation. Nearby was a small photo gallery of black and white pictures of events following immediately after his death, funeral and rallies. It is very moving. They quote him, "You must fight the evil you are equal to." I love the old churches and palaces, but the thing you can't get beyond is how very cold they must have been in winter. They didn't have plumbing or ceiling fans or vacuum cleaners. And these were the nice building for the rich folk. What must it have been for the regular folk? What you can't avoid realizing is how very uncomfortable most of the human race has been for most of the time we've been around. You were hot in summer, cold in winter and clean never! You ate what was available, which could not have been much. Lack of clean water and basic sanitation must have killed all but the strongest. Life must have been dirty, brutish and short. I began thinking in this vein after returning to the hostel to get off my feet and clean up for dinner. The "8 lads" in the room next to mine have made a disaster of their area. I should explain that the 3 sleeping rooms and kitchen area are all in a line, so that I have to go through each to get to my small room on the end. This affords me the maximum privacy available-which is good-but forces me to be reminded of how college aged boys live. One suspects they are making the transition from a brutish existence in one life time and are now up to about the middle ages in development, with a serious nod to Roman drinking and bathing practices. The boys bedroom floor is a landmine of jeans, half empty drink containers, backpacks and candy wrappers. Plus wires everywhere to recharge phones and iPods. The kitchen counter is strewn with bath towels and underwear. I won't try to figure what is used and what is clean. I'd be afraid to prepare anything more exotic than cold cereal in there! It is also cold in the rooms since they don't heat through the day. Many hostels lock you out mid-day. I presume they use this opportunity to hose the place down, which based on this observation must be necessary often. 7pmI've chosen the Novomestsky Pivovar (new town beer hall) for dinner. Their house beer is Kvanicovy Lezak. I've asked for a small (half liter!) Pivo svetly (light beer). It has a strong taste of hops, but is not bitter. I've ordered the Chef Surprise, which turns out to be crispy potato pancakes, smoked neck of pork (more evocative than "ham" don't you think?) Marinated Camembert cheese and porcini sauce. It is stacked like a chef sandwich. This is served with braised cabbage (actually cooked sour kraut) and a fresh green salad! The salad is the first fresh item I've been served since I arrived. It is all very good and, as with all the food I've had here, filling. I could grow to like the cabbage this way. All the tables have bread waiting for you when you sit down. I'm using a piece to sop up the wonderful mushroom gravy. Silverware and napkins are in a mug on the table. No water, though. I have long since stopped asking for water in Europe. You get bottled water and pay more than the price of beer. Even waiters who speak perfect English when taking your order will suddenly be deaf to the words "tap water". (Incidentally, in Italian, rubbinetto means tap water. So close to my last name, which is French. I'm told in French robinette means spigot or water carrier.) It is a huge amount of food and roughly half the calories are from fat. Based on my ability to put it away, I can affirm I am of the same hardy peasant stock this used to feed. The Czechs are kept slim by the shear amount of walking. There are cars, but for a major city, I don't find it congested, like London, nor are cars parked willy nilly, like Rome. I can only guess that this amount of activity is what keeps the Czech arteries from closing off before age 30. This is hardy fare, which also helps endure the cold. It was overcast all day with spotty rain and temperatures below 40, humidity very high, so if you stop moving you chill quickly. Today I wore my silk long underwear and was glad for them. I am not much of a shopper, but I do try to bring some souvenir back from a trip. So far, nothing. The only things that have tempted me are glassware and ornaments made from hollowed egg shells. Both are too fragile. I plan to make it an early night. I'll lay in provisions for a bus trip to Terezin tomorrow. I'm to be at the Hotel Europa in Wenceslas Square tomorrow at 9am. I hope to be early enough to spot the Art nouveau interior. More adventures tomorrow!

Prague, Day 2Fri, Feb 27, 2009

I slept well despite trams outside my window and streetlights. The curtains don't close, but I had a sleeping mask and something unusual for a hostel--a locked door! The three girls who went out to meet the "man on the phone", did not come back last night. I dressed and had cereal and coffee and still they are out. No matter. It was sunny and I decided not to wear my long underwear today. Now, 2 hours later, I realize this was a mistake. It is now cloudy. But I'm sitting in the Old Town square, Staromestske namesti. I saw the astronomical clock strike 10a. What sun there is, is glinting off the solid gold Madonna and child of Tyn church. Another bit of luck on my walk here. One only rents coffee, so when I passed a WC, I picked through my pockets for a 5Kc piece (about 25 cents). The smallest I had was 10. Some workman nearby was trying to help me, probably thinking an American could not understand how to pay (which is true. We take clean rest rooms for free as a given) I showed him by coins and pointed to the smallest! "Ah!" He said and made a sign that he would be right back. He walked to a van and I thought he would bring back change. Instead he brought a wrench. He used it to open a compartment, flip a switch and the cabinet opened. He gallantly bowed, and ushered me in! My knight in shinning coveralls! I had been a damsel in distress! When I write the guide to "The Free Pee" I will add this story. When I travel, it is not the things I don't understand that surprise me. I am used to how very ignorant I am. I am taken aback by the things I do understand. For instance, hot pants seem to be back in style among young women. They are worn with dark tights and boots, but they are still a questionable fashion choice. Particularly when the temperature barely rises above freezing. The other thing is the number of Kentucky Fried Chicken places. You wind between narrow passages, buildings from the middle ages or art Nouveau facades. Then you turn the corner and almost run into a larger than life cutout of the Colonel. Chilling. But at least it's not McDonalds. Later, 5pmI think I have been walking nonstop for about 6 hours now. My tour was a walking overview of Prague, though it did not cover all it advertised. Frankly, I was thankful because I was not sure how much more I could walk. The tour was given by a student, Peter, who turned out to be studying Chinese. He gave a fair overview to the Old Town, Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge and the Castle. Now that I am oriented to these areas I will go back on my own to investigate more thoroughly. I have not yet figured out the trams and subway, but must learn or I will have no feet left on these cobblestones and mosaic walkways. Truly, hard as stone and not forgiving. Climbing to the Prague Castle was a true killer. It is the highest point around and the view of the Lesser Quarter (Male Strana), river and old town beyond is quite impressive. I must work harder in my walking group on uphill and stairways! Back at the Golden Sickle hostel, there is no sign of the three girls from last night who were in the first room. But the middle room is now quite occupied by "8 lads" the young British man told me. We had a laugh that I should expect singing and snoring, but I asked if he could keep the dancing to a minimum. If you want restful sleep every night, simply don't stay in a hostel. I am prepared with ear plugs, eye shades and sleeping pills. And if that isn't enough I shall be quite LOUD in the morning since I'm bound to be up before them. The woman at the desk plans to move me tonight tomorrow. Let's hope I get some sleep. I've taken a shower while the hostel is quiet. I started this trend as a way to assure privacy and hot water and it works so well and is so reviving I now do it even at home. The only dilemma is that my travel hair dryer seems to be overheating and shuts off. This is not the weather I'd chosen for wet head. 7pm--I am celebrating my birthday with an adventure. I am sitting in an Absinthe house trying the "green muse" as Toulouse Lautrec called it. I've had it served to me with a flaming cube of sugar! Who needs birthday candles! Actually I've agreed to try it two ways--hot and cold. Absinthe was favored by many artists, including Hemingway. Made of wormwood it's been thought to be mildly poisonous. The consumption did "inspire" painters and writers, but many died, causing it to be outlawed in some countries. Recently, it has been clear that the substance may have been adulterated, plus ANY alcohol is poisonous if drunk in large quality. So you can find Absinthe legally once again. I tried it once, straight, in Venice. I thought it vile. I gave a bottle of it away to a street performer in lieu of a tip and he hugged and kissed me. That made me think there could be more to this drink. And there is. It is served either hot--with a flaming cube of sugar dissolved into a shot. Or cold, with water slowly dripped over a cube that sits on a specially made spoon. The spoon is flat (no bowl) and slotted. The cube sits on the spoon hat straddle the rim of a glass containing a shot of absinthe. The hot preparation is downed quickly and then chased with a second sugar cube. The "cold" method (using room temperature water) is sipped slowly. If it is too strong, you add more water. It is all too strong for me and I will have to walk it off before dinner! I've chosen a different beer hall for dinner. More modern, no long tables were people sit together. I've ordered a Pilsner Urquell, the most common beer in the Czech Republic. If this is a "short" I fear what a large looks like! I order the Cottager's Sparrow for dinner--pork back w/sausage and mushrooms. It comes with dumplings which are almost raw dough (I love this, though most would not) and a sour kraut that is almost creamy in texture. The meat covered with gravy that has mushrooms and onion. If I lived here, I would never lose any weight! All the foods are heavy, filling. All bars and restaurants are smoking. I am full and tipsy. Good thing I am close to my hostel. I hope I can sleep through the noise of the 8 lads in the room next to me!