Thursday 23 July 1998

Slideshow Pictures

We crossed the border without any difficulties but noticed the long lineup of trucks. It is amazing that a couple of years ago this was one country with no borders between the Check and the Slovak side. The only stop we made was at a gas station on the freeway where we had something to eat and drink.

As we entered the city there was an enormous traffic jam. I knew the general direction we had to go in so I decided to turn off the main road and try to cross the river at another bridge.

After crossing the bridge we asked directions from a pedestrian and found the Dum U Cerveneho Lva without any problems. Checked in, unloaded the car and had the car parked by the hotel attendant. We were given the suite on the top floor of the hotel. The stairway was realy steep and dangerous, after two floors we came to a door..

Going through the door there was another flight of slippery wooden stairs with an absolutely treacherous curve in it. With the help of the bellhop we finally managed to move in. Rachel had her own bedroom and the mini bar.

Freshened up and were off to see Prague.

The hotel was situated just bellow the Hradcany (the castle) on Nerudova street, at nearly the top of the steep hill. We walked down the hill and crossed the Manesuv most (Menesuv bridge). Then we headed towards the Karluv Most (Charles Bridge).

On the way we stopped at a restaurant that was built on floats on the side of the Vltava river.

To enter you had to go down a stairway through a tunnel. There was garbage strewn all over the stairway. Old faded cigarette packages etc. You would think the proprietor would have cleaned it once in a while. Had Czech beer Rachel a Coke, and we were off to the Karluv Most.

The bridge was pedestrian only and vendors of all types were selling their products, Junk jewelry, photographs, postcards etc. I noticed that the statues that lined the bridge on either side were covered by black mold, only one had been cleaned.

We were starting to get hungry so we headed back towards the hotel to a restaurant Rachel had noticed earlier. The restaurant was located in a courtyard just across the street from our hotel. It had three outdoor tables, in the courtyard, and the rest were indoors. We took one of the outdoor tables. The menu was in Check and English so we had no trouble ordering.

After dinner we went back to the hotel.

Friday 24 July 1998

Had breakfast at the hotel.

Rita asked the clerk, at the front desk, if she had stamps for the postcards she had written. She took the postcard asked if we wanted to put it on the bill to which we said yes.

Went up to the castle and then down the hill to spend our remaining Kroners. At the bottom of the hill was an old lady selling crochet tablecloths. We bought one of them and proceeded back to the bridge where all the touristrapy stores were. We spent our remaining few Kroners on small items for the kids in Scandinavia. Then back to the hotel to pack and check out.

While Rachel and Rita were packing I went down to the front desk to pay the bill. The clerk added up the bill ($235 CAN.), took my credit card and processed it, after this she handed me another bill for parking and the stamps. The parking was $25 CAN. the stamps a few pennies. I looked at the bill wondering why she hadn’t totaled it with the original, and handed my credit card back to her. She said this bill has to be paid by cash. I was looking at her hoping for a grin or some sign that she was joking but she kept a straight face. In disbelief I asked why. She explained that the parking company charged them cash and she needed cash to pay them when they brought the car around from the parking lot. I asked if she could pay for the parking and the stamps from petty cash and charge my Visa for it. No "$F##%n#" way. I asked where the nearest ATM. was. Down the hill at the square. So down the "$F%$%n#" hill I went again mumbling something about stupid "$F#$$%n#" remnants of the stupid "$F$#%n$" communist system. At the square I asked where the nearest ATM. was. There was one but it was out of "$F#$#$n%" service. I was fuming. Powered by a rush of adrenaline up the hill I went again to a money exchange I noticed on my previous trips down the "#F$^%^%n$" hill. I just had enough German Marks to cover the bill after I paid the "$F#$n%" exorbitant service charge at the money exchange. The car was brought around, with the help of the bellhop the luggage was brought down, and we were off to Berlin..

On the main road leading to the German border, in Teplice,  I noticed that the ladies skirts were getting shorter and more colorful. There were literally hundreds of prostitutes advertising their wares. They were hanging out of windows, sitting in front of houses, and walking the streets. One sitting at a bus stop actually waved at me. Rita and Rachel sitting in the car, didn't deter her advances. I wanted to stop and experience a bit of Czech hospitality, but my lack of German Marks and a stern look from Rita, made me decide to continue on.