Transit to Prague

We woke early, finished packing, ate breakfast and prepared to leave the ship for the bus ride to Prague in the Czech Republic. On the bus we passed through Slovakia and glimpsed the fortress we visited a couple of days ago in Bratislava. Now it is 2 pm and we are finishing lunch at a restaurant near Brno, from where the Moravians came to North Carolina. This is also very close to the site of the Battle of Austerlitz. We are very close to the battlefield at Austerlitz. While I was in the restroom I heard Dolly Parton's recording of "Nine to Five." I had a crusty roll, a bowl of Czech cabbage soup, and a big glass of Czech beer, all for about three dollars. I am listening to "The Moldau" in honor of Bedrich Smetana. When I get home I must download the Prague Symphony by Dvorak. The roads here are remarkably rough. At 2:50pm the bus was stopped by a policeman. We arrived in Prague about 4:30 pm and were quickly assigned a room at the Hilton hotel, then given a brief walking tour of the area around the hotel. It is an ultra modern facility with terraced balconies inside. James and Marcia Swim from Arkansas joined us on a walk to Republic Square. We reconnoitered the area, got some Czech koruns in exchange for dollars, and had a traditional Czech meal at a restaurant fairly close to the hotel. We actually saw some others down near Republic Square, but they were too expensive. A very personable young waiter took our pictures and brought us an excellent meal of schnitzel, potato salad, steamed dumplings and a huge tankard of Czech beer. We came back to the room and crashed.Read more