I've awoken from my much needed "disco nap" and a good meal and a glass of wine later, I'm ready to do my part contributing to this blog. Well, James pretty much hit the nail on the head with his assessment of the city. I've been OBSESSED with coming here for a long time and first impressions are that is just as beautiful as I imagined. It's almost too much to take in and I've taken LOADS of photos of everything that's catching my eye. James has been super patient and is actually into the photo taking as well on this trip, which is great for me! One of these nights we're planning to sneak back to Charles bridge to take some night shots...I'm hoping most of the other tourists will be gone so we'll get some good shots of the actual bridge. You couldn't see anything today but lots of people and the statues that line it.
I was most worried about the cuisine in Prague, not being a pork or beef eater but I've been really happy with the food so far...of course the beer and wine helps! Yes, Angela had a beer today. When in Prague...As long as we go to restaurants with English menus, I should be fine. And I think I could eat fried potato pancakes all week and be perfectly happy. Good thing we're walking everywhere!
Alright, getting late and time for bed soon. I think James and I may take a boat tour tomorrow down the Josefov river. It seems pretty cool and a good way to see some of the city (I already told James we'll be taking a bateau mouche boat tour in paris too) I guess it's my thing....and you get a free beer in the ridiculously cheap fare!
Saturday, March 31, 2007
1st day in Prague
Our first day in Prague has been an unequivocal success. Our hotel is in an more residential area about 2 miles from the town center. We ate lunch at a place just up the street. We both managed to order something deep-fried and delicious. Along with a pilsner beer. Tasty goodness. It's a good thing we walked for the next 6 hours...
Angela is sleeping. Sssh. She needs her rest. I am (obviously) blogging. I'm also working on getting some of her digital pics to my laptop so I can post one of the two of us on the Charles Bridge.
There are more tourists on the Charles Bridge than either Angela or I has never noticed anywhere in SF. It's covered with tourists.
What did we learn today: Don't waste time trying to film a movie scene on the Charles Bridge at 4PM on a Saturday. People will not just stop at your command. When you get a 20 koroner ticket for the subway you have to validate it (oops, my bad). Everywhere you go in Prague is an opportunity for a picture. Cashiers in Prague DO NOT like to hand you your change. They will lay it down on the table or in a tray especially made for it. The lady at the first sovenier shop at the east end of Charles Bridge has a 'system' that requires you take a plastic bag for your purchase. Even if you don't want it.
PS we made it to Prague
After all that hullabaloo yesterday, we decided via unanimous vote that a taxi to the airport was worth the cost. It was possibly the best decision we have made so far this trip. A very nice (non English speaking) man picked us up in Paris and dropped us off at the Orly airport. Everything went w/o a hitch and now we have arrived in Prague. My god this place is beautiful. It's sunny and warm (Paris was cold and wet). Even the run-down buildings are beautiful. It's amazing what a little sleep and a cab ride will do for your frame of mind.
Small side story for you. Last night for dinner Angela and I wandered the neighborhood where our friend Alex lives. It's quite lively and had many choices. However, as tired as we were we really wanted something simple. Pizza! 2 blocks from the apartment we found a small pizzeria. I ordered "au france" a pizza margharita for 2 people and an orangina. Angela is having trouble with spanish. As in she keeps speaking it to non-spanish speakers. She said si to the pizza guy. Then dos when ordering an orangina as well. She also manged to say si to the money changer in Prague. They don't speak much Spanish in Paris or Prague. A quote from Angela:"But, the all found me cute and charming." No lack of ego there!
Time to find food!
Small side story for you. Last night for dinner Angela and I wandered the neighborhood where our friend Alex lives. It's quite lively and had many choices. However, as tired as we were we really wanted something simple. Pizza! 2 blocks from the apartment we found a small pizzeria. I ordered "au france" a pizza margharita for 2 people and an orangina. Angela is having trouble with spanish. As in she keeps speaking it to non-spanish speakers. She said si to the pizza guy. Then dos when ordering an orangina as well. She also manged to say si to the money changer in Prague. They don't speak much Spanish in Paris or Prague. A quote from Angela:"But, the all found me cute and charming." No lack of ego there!
Time to find food!
Friday, March 30, 2007
We made it safe and sound
After a long and arduous (no really, I'm not joking around) we are at Alex's place. Ok, so the 2nd flight out of Dulles kinda sucked a bit. 13 hours on a plane, even with a break between is too freaking long. Knees and bums are very sore.
THEN the fun began.... Alex, our dear dear friend was going to pick us up. But then not. Yeah, we were not excited about it either. However, we're adults and can manage. Plus Angela speaks un peu France. So, we get directions from Alex on how to take the train to Paris then take the subway to his place. WE, being karma's bitches (sorry for the swearing, but it's true) managed to catch the most packed commuter train into Paris ever. EVER! I'm not kidding. Sardines have more space to move around. Remember, we have our luggage and bags with us and have been on the go for 24 hours. Oh, and no sleep. Neither of us slept much on Wednesday night and got 0 sleep on the plane.
Once we got into Paris we rethought the whole 'screw getting an expensive cab' thing and tried to get a cab. Only one would stop and he just drove off when I told him where we wanted to go. Oh, did I mention it's raining! So, we trudge back down to the subway and take it out to Alex's apartment. Alex lives on the 6th floor of a charming old apartment building. Does it have an elevator? No.
Anyway, by unanimous decree, Angela and I are not going galavanting today. We are going to relax and have a nap and figure out the easiest (and possibly most expensive) way we can get to Orly for our flight tomorrow. Oh, and how to pack as little as humanly possible and not be stinkystinks while we travel the rest of our trip...
I would like to say thank you to the very nice gentleman who stopped as we were staring bleary eyed at a metro map trying to figure out where to go. He told us which way to walk and how many streets to our destination. Good thinking on Angela's part to show him the name of the place on the paper I printed. Go Angela!
THEN the fun began.... Alex, our dear dear friend was going to pick us up. But then not. Yeah, we were not excited about it either. However, we're adults and can manage. Plus Angela speaks un peu France. So, we get directions from Alex on how to take the train to Paris then take the subway to his place. WE, being karma's bitches (sorry for the swearing, but it's true) managed to catch the most packed commuter train into Paris ever. EVER! I'm not kidding. Sardines have more space to move around. Remember, we have our luggage and bags with us and have been on the go for 24 hours. Oh, and no sleep. Neither of us slept much on Wednesday night and got 0 sleep on the plane.
Once we got into Paris we rethought the whole 'screw getting an expensive cab' thing and tried to get a cab. Only one would stop and he just drove off when I told him where we wanted to go. Oh, did I mention it's raining! So, we trudge back down to the subway and take it out to Alex's apartment. Alex lives on the 6th floor of a charming old apartment building. Does it have an elevator? No.
Anyway, by unanimous decree, Angela and I are not going galavanting today. We are going to relax and have a nap and figure out the easiest (and possibly most expensive) way we can get to Orly for our flight tomorrow. Oh, and how to pack as little as humanly possible and not be stinkystinks while we travel the rest of our trip...
I would like to say thank you to the very nice gentleman who stopped as we were staring bleary eyed at a metro map trying to figure out where to go. He told us which way to walk and how many streets to our destination. Good thinking on Angela's part to show him the name of the place on the paper I printed. Go Angela!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
How many agents does it take to book a trip?
Being the borderline compulsive that I am, I decided to call United again to make sure our trip was confirmed after now 2 flight changes since our original booking. Apparently, our itinerary was confirmed, but the tickets were never changed, so their computers had us booked to leave tomorrow! 2 agents, 40 minutes and a slight headache later, all is copasetic for our departure thursday...but I'll probably call tomorrow again to make sure...I'm not so trustful of United right now!
Testing
Ok, here we go kids. Pictures! Except that this one is not of Europe. But, we can make sure people are envio... I mean enjoy our trip as much as we do...
Angela = ROCKSTAR
That girl Angela is all kinds of on top of our trip. Seriously, she's gotten these shortbus riders getting themselves together so WE can go on a trip to Europe for 3 Freaking Weeks!!!!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
DOH!
So, um we are leaving on Thursday. Not Wednesday. The airline ticket booking ladyperson got confused on dates. So, an extra day to plan and make sure we're ready (neither of us is going to work, of course!).
Saturday, March 24, 2007
4 Days and counting
4 more days and we get on a plane at the buttcrack of dawn. We are going to be picked up at 5AM. Ouch. This will be one of the moments when I wish I could sleep on a plane...
Monday, March 19, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
What the?!?!
This blog is only hours old and I'm being made to look like the bad guy already...and we haven't even left yet! This may prove to make a LONG 3 weeks for my friend James if he's not careful...;^)
What I learned today
Mornings, while traveling: I need coffee. Angela needs breakfast. Hard rolls will work since there is no cereal in all of Europe (per Dion).
I need a 2nd bag.
It's going to ROCK and you should all be jealous of us (per Angela).
I need a 2nd bag.
It's going to ROCK and you should all be jealous of us (per Angela).
HA! We leave soon
So I am sitting here between D and A and they are arguing about which color it this blog should be....
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