Birthday then rain...

Yesterday was my birthday. I wasn't planning on doing anything special for it (sorry mom). Honza, our tour guide, had taken us to Prague Castle and some other sights. Honza was born and raised in Prague. He's about 30 years old and is in university right now studying, of all things, Chinese. He just finished spending two weeks with Rick Steves updating his tour books.

Afterwards, we went to lunch at this great cafe with a gorgeous overview of the city, we all split up to do our own thing. I went to the pub with Susan as I reported yesterday and got a birthday buzz. I ending up sleeping for two solid hours. Woke up and met the group. In the summer, musicians from the Prague Philharmonic and the Prague Symphony come together to play concerts for the tourist at the Municipal House. We met up and walked to a great
little, local park.

Honza surprised us with bottles of champagne and fresh strawberries to celebrate my birthday!! He also bought me a book by a famous Czech author that we had talked about the day before. He had the whole group sign a little birthday card for me also. It was really sweet!!

After the little picnic, we headed over the Municipal House. The building is absolutely exquisite. They way they use iron and gold on the outside is remarkable. It was from the gate near this building that the Czech Republic was declared and students began tearing down all symbols of Vienna control. Just to stand in that spot and listen to the story gave me chills. To think that hundreds of 20 year old students stood up to the government to fight for something they believe in awes me still.

Once we got inside and took our seats, I was able to appreciate the inside decor as well. There is a massive skylight in the middle of the ceiling with stain glass windows. The musicians played four pieces, of which I couldn't name right now. I have the program but its in my room, three stories away, and I'm not going to get it. Anyways....the concert was phenomenal. Something about the music really hit me. I'm always amazed by how certain music can really hit me and draw on a lot of emotion. Sitting there in that theatre, in this beautiful city, listening to these classic pieces was more than I can possibly explain in words.

After the concert, Honza decided that because it was my birthday, the night must continue. We went to a local pub for some late night food and some more PIVO!!! The pub he took us to was full of Czechs watching the World Cup game. We squeezed into a table in the back and ordered some beers. In true Prague fashion, we discussed everything from polictics to religion to business to movies. Several hours later we decided we were all buzzed and falling asleep so we went back to the hotel. It was perfect birthday in Prague!!! And it's true, I will never forget it.

Today we got up early and went to explore the Old Town of Prague. That is where my hotel was the first day I was here, so I knew it pretty well. Honza made the city and its history come to life. It was a very enjoyable day. We broke up at lunch and Susan and I wandered off to by my train ticket to Germany and her bus ticket to another Czech town. My train ticket was found and bought with no problems and in a matter of 20 minutes. Her bus ticket on the other hand.....

After getting bad directions to the bus station twice, we ended up taking a tram into a far out Prague suburb. There were no other tourist and nobody spoke English. It was great!! On top of that, it was at least 90 degrees out. We finally figured out where we were and jumped on the subway to the right spot. We found the bus station after a good search around the neighborhood and we were able to get her ticket. Getting back was easy as well....jumped on the subway and zoomed right back into town.

We did a little bit of quick shopping and then grabbed some food. Afterwards, we decided to sit in the town square and watch a bit of the Brazil vs. Ghana world cup game since there were hundreds of Brazilians around. About 20 minutes later, a huge gust of wind swept in and the clouds rolled in. Cafe tables started falling over, glasses broke, umbrellas flew away. Susan and I decided that we should probably start heading back to the hotel, a decent 20 minute walk. As we start walking, it began to barely drizzle. After all of the heat of the day, it actually felt good. We got to the Charles Bridge and had to make a decision: do we take cover or screw it and cross? The bridge is about 1/3 mile long, so once you start, you're committed.

We went for it. And straight out of a sitcom or something, as soon as we got to about the half way point, the sky opened up and started seriously raining. Another 10 minutes in the pouring rain, we split up to go to our hotels which are right around the corner from each other.

I walked into the doorway to my hotel and out of the rain. I asked the owners son for a towel since i was soaking wet. I dried off a little, went up stairs, and changed clothes. I'm a whole new, clean woman now. The worst part about the rain is that tonight (right now acutally) we were supposed to be retracing the steps of the students' march that became the Velvet Revolution. I'm so upset that I have to miss it. It's still raining, lightening and thundering out, so I'm calling it a day. We were supposed to go to an open air screening tonight of a new film titled "The Mad" by a rebelious Czech artist. Don't think that's gonna happen either. Wonder if I can Netflix that eventually. If it stops raining anytime soon, a couple of us are going to head to the pub around the corner for some beer by candle light. Not a bad end to a great day.

It's suppose to rain for the next two days. Guess it's time to buy my souvenir Praha hat. It could have been worse though....it could have rained on my birthday!!!

They say its your birthday

So, I have a bit of a beer buzz going on and it's only 3:30 in the afternoon here. We got up early this morning to explore the Prague castle and the cathedral next door. As most churches in Europe are, this one is exquisite in detail and in size. Amazing. There will be pictures to follow some day. After all of the site seeing, I went to grab an afternoon birthday drink with a woman from my group. She lives 3 miles from me in Sherman Oaks!!! Small world!! We decided to go to this little bar that we passed by last night. It's set in a cave type of building and the only light is candle light. One huge pint later and we were happy Americans. We stumbled out of the dark bar into the 93 degree midday sun. As we navigated our way down the cobblestone alley, we passed by another bar. We decided we must look in. It was a cute little garden that we'll probably go back to later for a drink. Each bar in Prague only serves one type of beer. And as the Czech saying goes: "You must be faithful to one woman and one beer.....at least for one night." So, we could not mix our beers.

Tonight we are going to a concert in one of Prague's greatest venues. They are putting on a concert with all of the songs by Czech's great composers. I figure it's a great way to mix authentic Czech with some culture and a birthday treat all in one. Also, everything in Prague is very inexpensive compared to back home. Tickets for this concert tonight come out to $20. Our afternoon beers for $1.20 each for a huge pint. Gotta love a city before it adopts the euro!!

I've wandered around the city so much in the past couple of days that I feel I know it pretty well. I've left the map in my room and I just wander off. Worst comes to worst, I just ask somebody to point me in the direction of the German Embassy and I'm all good. Public transporation works well here and is easy to navigate. Although, walking the city is just as easy and doesn't take that long.

I'm still having trouble trying to learn the Czech language, which is a little frustrating, but I'm dealing. Only things I know so far: Please, Thank you, Hello, Beer please, and Check please. That's working so far, but it would be nice to know more. Perhaps next time!

Julie and I have talked some more and we have decided that we are in fact going to Pamplona for running of the bulls!! What else have we decided: That we are not going to sleep during the 36-40 hours that we are there. I'll let you know how that goes!!!! Should be really crazy and a lot of fun. You only live once right?

That's all I have to report for now. I'm off to take a quick nap and then shower before the culture. Nothing like sleeping off a beer buzz before taking in some culture. God bless being 26 and traveling Europe!!! Thanks to everyone for your birthday wishes!! I miss you guys and part of me really wishes I were at home for my birthday. But, as my new friend Susan from Sherman Oaks said, "You'll never forget your 26th birthday, spent in the Prague Castle and a candle lit bar." And it's so true.

Till next time.....love ya!

Jill

Prague!!

I have been in Prague for about 24 hours now and the city fits perfectly. The people are all extremely friendly, even though most do not speak English!! awesome! The architecture is ridiculous and there is no way to capture its beauty on film...although I keep trying.

My flight on Air France went fine. I got on board, ate dinner and then passed out. Woke up seven hours later as we were flying over England. Great flight! The food was really good too. The tram that takes you from one terminal to the next in Paris was a Mercedes...damn French people!! Nothing like riding in style at the airport!

I have so much to say about Prague that I'm not sure where to begin. I will fill in with more detail later. To begin with, I got to my first hotel with no problem yesterday. I checked in, dropped off my bags and set out to get acquainted with the neighborhood. I spent three hours walking around the area taking in all of the sites. I bought a sandwich and just before I was
ready to call it at night at 9pm (yeah, give me a break...I had been traveling) I stumbled upon the World Cup game. The city set up huge televisions in all of the town squares for locals to watch the game. I sat on the ground with about a hundred other people and ate my sandwich while watching the game. It was Argentina vs. Mexico. One man in the crowd was a big Mexico fan. Everytime they scored or had a great play, he stood up, screamed "MEEXXIIIICOOOOO!", did a lap around the square and gave everybody high fives. It was great!!

Speaking of the World Cup, I had my first brush with authentic hooligans. Well, maybe not hooligans as much as young, drunk fans. It was a group of German football fans who caught my attention when I first began my neighborhood walk. I heard the voices of young guys chanting in German. Of course, I had to find out where it was coming from. I followed the noise and it lead me to a group of about 7 or 8 young guys from Germany. They didn't speak English and I don't speak German. But, I went up to them and said "Deauthland!! Michael Ballack!!" and gave a pumping fist in the air. That seemed to be an international declaration and they repeated by gesture. We all started laughing and cheering. Then, they continued down the street with
their chanting and drinking their beers. Apparently it's ok to wander the streets of Prague with open beer cans, or big glasses of beer.

Their is a large police presence here in Prague. I'm told that it's like this year round, with a little additional cause of the WC. The police are all pretty cool though. They park and gather around the squares during the game and they patrol the streets. But they never seem to bother anyone and aren't crazy enforcers. They more hang out with each other, lean against their cars and smoke. Good times!

The hotel I'm at now is right across the street from the German Embassy and around the corner from the American Embassy. I'm told that this is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city because of it. Cars are stopped and checked for bombs (awesome!) before they are allowed down my street. My hotel room faces the German Embassy.

That is all the time I have for now. I hope everyone is doing well back home. I'll update more soon!!! Till then -

Jill

Michael Ballack

I am in love with footballer Michael Ballack. It's official. He's a midfielder for the German team during the World Cup. He plays for Chelsea FC during the regular season. He's a libra and has a degree in German and History...all things that matter when you're crushing on an athlete. I know!

But seriously, he's really cute. He's German. I'm German. I'm gonna be in Germany in two weeks. It's only a matter of time before we meet, fall in love and get married. Right? hahahahahaha.

It's all good. At least he brings some good looks to the World Cup. I knew I was watching football for a reason!!

Madrid

So, I've narrowed down my Madrid hostel choices to three. Depending on if Julie can meet up with me, I'll book it now or maybe just wait till I get there to do it. I figure worse comes to worse, I can stay here at the Royal Palace right? I'm sure they won't mind if I just crash in one of the 2800 rooms there.








I also just found out that the Museo de Prado (Prado Museum) is having a huge exhibit with Picasso while I'm there. It's celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Guernica painting being brought back to Madrid from NYC in 1981. Picasso had given it to the Museum of Modern Art in NYC in the 1930s while Spain was at war. His last wish was that it would be returned to Spain once democracy rights were restored to the country. In 1981, it made that transition, marking the before and after in Spain's political history. I'm not a huge Picasso fan, but it will still be great to see Spain's best artist's work while in Spain.

Czechs beat US in World Cup Game

Now don't get me wrong...I'm all for Team America, but I really want the Czech team to make it to the semi-finals. I'll be in Prague during those games, and I think there will be a great feeling in the air if Czech is still in the game. Czech and USA played each other this morning and the Czechs won. yeah!!! It's sad for the USA team though cause now there is almost no chance of them advancing to the second round.



USA National Team


The Czechs crush Team USA ... literally!

German hotel

Craig and I finally decided on our hotel room of choice for Berlin. We'll be staying at the Mercure Hotel Berlin Mitte. I booked the reservations today. Because of World Cup, there are no changes or cancellations allowed, so now I guess we have to go. The hotel looks really nice and it's in a great part of town. It's in the new city center of Berlin, within walking distance to Potsdamer Platz and Bradenburg Gate. I'm excited!!!!