A lazy loaded day

June 15th, Prague

The next day we tried to take the funicular, a tram that rides up the side of hills via a mechanism that reminds me of the way roller coasters climb. It was out of order, so we tried to do the walk ourselves. The heat and the gimpy girl on crutches prevented us from succeeding in that venture. We surrendered and had some excellent espresso in a tiny cafe garden down the hill. Went to the music History Museum and saw a ceramic bowl harmonica. Disturbed the guards that were there 45 minutes before the museum closed. Made it a bit further, attempted to sample the REAL Budweiser beer that you can't buy under its real name in the states because Bud has it trademarked the name of the town in which it is brewed. FAILED. When we couldn't find seats outside by the river, we went into the inner patio of what turned out to be a different restaurant, ended up drinking Pilsner Urquell and splitting a meal over, ahem, a liter of beer each. (For those of you who don't know my drinking habits, that would be about four times as much as I need).

Met up with Erica's friend from Haverford, Splinter, and his two Aussie friends, Matt and Hamish. Went to the non-tourist part of town and paid half as much for our beer. (Yet, our first two half liters still cost one-tenth of what they would have cost me here in Sweden.) Proceeded to be drunk under the table by a six-foot something, kick-my-ass big Australian. In addition to the extra two liters of beer we each consumed Splinter ordered us shots various of "typical Czech liquor."(Again, with the Annika is drunk after one beer business. But hey, I am learning to drink beer, quite the accomplishment after all these years.) The five of us crammed into Splinter's bedroom early in the morning and slept for our brief hours before he had to work and Erica and I went back to sleep in our luxurious room at the Hilton. (Somehow, that was an excellent consolation for sleeping on the hardwood floor with my cast propped up on a chair.)

We got our act together for our final day in the Czech Republic and actually SAW the Jewish cemetery instead of just 'looking' for it as we had done earlier. Ate dinner at a great restaurant near the train station and watched another game. Of course I don't know who was playing but I actually watched parts--those of you who know me from the Oak can attest to this also being an 'accomplishment.' (Yet, drinking beer and watching professional sports have never been of much interest to me so calling these accomplishments might be a bit of an exaggeration.) With a few hours to kill before our train left for Budapest, we sat on a bench in park outside the station. I tried to sleep, Erica talked and as time passed, we realized the guys at the next bench were without a doubt the local dealers and they were working. Hmm, maybe it was time to move inside?

Did I mention Erica carried both hers and my backpack? Yes, she is a great friend :)