Homeward Bound

It's days like today that show me just how much we would totally rock at The Amazing Race.  We woke up, showered, packed, and headed out making it to the train station with time to spare.  So much time in fact we were able to grab a leisurely breakfast.  So, producers of Amazing Race, if you're reading this and want an awesome family of three to be on your show just leave me a comment and let me know.  I'll try drop everything and pencil it in.  ;o)

We made it home and our girls gave us a wonderful welcome, of barking, pee, and puke - oh my!  We cleaned up as best as we could and decided to go for a walk.  We packed up the stroller, put the leashes on the girls, and wrestled the dog walker away from his cricket match.

It was a beautiful, warm day.  Everyone was sporting their shades to try and block the sun as it reflected off my pale white legs.  We walked through the park, stopping for refreshments at the beer garden before heading back home.  Spring has definitely spread from the train station throughout the rest of Leipzig.  I'll try and get out again this week so I can get some photos so you can see Leipzig in bloom.

Charmian

Ich Liebe Prag - Day 4

Jon woke up early and left me and Alessandra in bed while he went out to take some pictures at sunrise.  Except for a lady who had the same idea, his morning was very productive and enjoyable.
Once he got back to our flat he climbed back in bed and we all snuggled for a little while longer while we made our plan for the day;

fun,
food,

spirits,
sightseeing,

memory making,
and memento taking.

And just like that we were off, enjoying our last full day of our first family vacation.  

I was sad that our little trip was coming to an end.  I love having my family all to myself, to love on and enjoy without work, school, chores, or any other distractions for that matter.  Just us, and the thousands of other tourists.  ;o)

Charmian

Ich Liebe Prag - Day 3

A.K.A.

Dancing in Prague

Even if you need a hand, are just starting out, 

or have been doing it your whole life,

you, should be dancing!

(Day three also completed Jon's life long goal of finding one of Rick Steve's restaurant suggestions.  

Although our last misadventure has become a legend in itself, that taste of success was so sweet!)

Charmian

Ich Liebe Prag - Day 2

After a beautiful morning of snuggling and sleeping in 

we made our way out of the apartment for breakfast.  

And just before the lunch rush ta'boot.  

We slowly drank our coffee and ate our crepes,
while we people watched and

vegged out in front of the little t.v. in the restaurant 

(that's what happens when you don't have a t.v. -
when you see one you instantly turn into a zombie).  

We were finally able to drag ourselves away so we could do some sightseeing.  It wasn't until then that we started to talk about what we wanted to do.  We had no plans, at all.  We hadn't read any tour books and we were going completely off of memory on what there was to see and do.  

So, we did the big, no brainer sights;

the churches, 

the castle, 

the cathedral in the castle,

and the bridges.  

Throw in a million pictures

and a food/beverage stop every three hours and that was our day.

It was so relaxing, we had no plans, no agenda, no itinerary.

We wandered around the city all day taking pictures and enjoying each other's company.

Charmian

Ich Liebe Prag - Day 1

You may ask why I love Prague. Really, it is a pretty simple equation... Great food (& Beer!) + Cheap Prices (buyer beware) + Amazing sights = pretty darn good trip.

I know, enough with the math stuff (I apologize, I have been working on corporate valuation and International Financial Reporting Standards for the past two weeks and, you get the point).

Anyway, I digress. We hadn't been to Praha in almost 6 years. Our first trip was spectacular and we had high hopes for this one as well.

I'm sorry to say, things change, and 6 years later Prague is not what is once was. However this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The city has come a long way over the last half decade, and it was apparent immediately when we arrived. The last time we were greeted by people who were looking for opportunity. This time, the same people were looking to make us their opportunity.

At the train station several taxis were sitting on the side of the street waiting on a fare. Then to their forture, two unsuspecting American tourists with a baby show up.

Jon: " How much to go to XYZ Street #11?"

Cab Guy #1: "For you, only 500 CZK!"

(Note 1: I live in Leipzig and know what a fare costs, and after international finance I can manipulate currencies in my sleep!)

Jon: "You're freaking crazy."

Cab Guy #1: "What you mean I am crazy? For you only 500."

(Note 2: XYZ St. #11 is only 1km from the station. 500 CZK is roughly equivalent to 20 EUR. For a 2.5 km fare in Leipzig when I have had too much to drink, I pay 8 EUR.)

Jon: "Thats 20 EUR. You're freaking crazy."

Cab Guy #1: "What you pay?"

Jon: (While doing the math in my head and looking for a discount) "How about 180 CZK?"

Cab Guy #1: "You freaking crazy!"

Low and behold, the negotiations had come to a standstill. No problem though, I just hop on the handy handi and call the place we are heading to get the number for a reliable cab company.

Meanwhile, the lady who also drives a cab, and has been sitting watching all of this for the last 10 minutes, is approached by Charmian, who cordially asks, "how much". We are told the Kinderwagen won't fit, so no ride. Charmian assures her it isn't a problem at which point I take notice to the advance Charmy has made and move in as reinforcement.

Jon: "It really isn't a problem, and will fit nicely!"

At which point I start to break down the stroller, only to have Charmy tell me I am doing it wrong, which I ignore. I know how to make this fit!

Long story short, Charmy is right about how to make the Kinderwagen fit, which causes the taxi lady and Charmian to become immediate "Girl Power Friends". Regardless, it pays off. The fare is now only 300 CZK and she'll take us to the place we get our key, and then afterwards to the apartment we are staying in (obviously these are in two different locations).

So after negotiating, and holding firm to our resolve, we made a good deal. A deal good enough that when we arrived at our apartment (which was in a spectacular location), Charmy gave A to the cab driver to hold while we unpacked the Kinderwagen and our bags from the back of the car.

We had made it, safe and sound, and the location and price were SUPER!! We were located 5 minutes walking distance from both the Old Town Square and the Charles Bridge (Karlův most) which was ideal. And as you can see from the photos, we had quite a nice view from our window! I'll keep this location a secret, but might be persuaded to tell you where it was if you ask nicely!

We arrived, made friends, moved in and went in search of food. Unfortunately for A and Charmy, Prague and my camera got in the way. Here are a couple photos from the first night while we were out looking for food.

Charles Bridge looking towards Old Town

Charles Bridge looking towards Prague Castle (St Vitus Cathedral)

Just a Cool Shot

So to close up our first day, we found a place to eat at. The food was good. The beer was good. But then the shady side of Prague came out to play. !!Please beware!! NO MEAL IN PRAGUE SHOULD COST 80 EURO

That is what we paid. We were taken. So things to be on the lookout for.

1. Prices on the Czech menu that are different than on the English

2. Being charged "Tax" on a food bill - tax is included in the line price

3. Offers in both Euro and Koruna. Take the Koruna price, it is always better!

Otherwise, Praha is still charming, it is still beautiful, the food is still great....the beer too. It is busier and more touristy, and while this may cause difficulties, you just need to look out for yourselves. Get off the beaten path when you walk the streets, talk to the locals (Czech or German are easiest) and find the "old", "real" Prague.

Thanksgiving in Prague

Prague may still be our favorite trip of all time, not because it was the most beautiful - although it was, not because the people were the nicest -although they were, and not because the food was the best, although it was great...but because it was our first.

It was when Jon and I fell in love with traveling. When we fell in love with being foreigners and trying so hard to pass as locals (although with our camera's and maps I guess we weren't trying too hard). Although Jon and I had been on many camping adventures and climbing adventures this was our first real international adventure and we knew this trip had changed our lives forever.

(I know some of you are thinking I thought you took your honeymoon in Cancun - we did but going to an all inclusive resort doesn't count - in our eyes - as an international adventure.)

1. When you really need to use the bathroom and you ask a room full of police officers in perfectly executed Czech, German, English, Spanish and sign language where the restroom is, it will still result in you peeing in a bush outside.
2. Becherovka

3. Walking in circles for hours trying to find a certain restaurant only to end up at the wrong restaurant having lunch with the Mayor of Prague.

4. Budweiser Budvar

5. Charmian "wandering off" in the Christmas market and getting lost.

6. Gluhwein
7. Little old ladies who aren't afraid to tell Jon, in any language he will understand, that she knows best.