Sunday, September 6, 2009

Hey Ya'll, I'm back....4 the moment







So the trip to Prague was awesome. Never been? OMG, get there. It is a beautiful city with wonderful people. There are those few who are unsavory, but where aren't there? The city is nice and clean. Don't step out in the street where you are not supposed to, but otherwise enjoy. We stayed at the Casino Royal. Ask for the room with the balcony, but if you don't get it don't sweat it. Also ask for a coffee maker in the room. Cost a little extra but instant Sanka in the morning is nice while you get ready for the day. The morning meal might be the most consistent and best you have. There is a restaurant around the corner that has simple one word name like "Svadj" or something like that, it had the best ribs, and other food. Just look for the soldiers face like on this blog page. Unfortunately, it is on the same street as the German "Ohm Pa Pa" which is a tourist trap. That is my personal opinion not the cities personal opinion.
The ohm Pa Pa has lots of beer and shots readily available, but the food and the waiters are salty and over done bordering on the cheap side + the waiters have more attitude than most gay bar or restaurant waiters I've seen in the states. And that is saying a lot for straight waiters. (I assumed) Oh yeah, you got to figure out the tipping thing on your own. I am not going there.
Moving on, public transportation was good. Beautiful State Opera House. Orchestra over took the singers a couple of times, but I stayed awake.

We went to see Lynda Dragon boat race at the World Championship on the American team. It was a joy to see all those people out there just PADDLING away. The Iranian women in their conservative attire were cool and beautiful to watch PADDLE, as well. Sis won 3 Silvers and 2 Bronzes. Not too shabby for a middle child. The video I am trying to upload while I type this is that of my dad at their (my parents) 54th anniversary. He is toasting the "Dragon Boat Spirit." Which was surely there in strength. Unfortunately, there were 2 boats that sank the first day. In the same race. It was a sad but inevitable thing to happen. The boats were awfully close to water level. So, being that there were 18 men paddling that close to the water's surface, and being so closely passed on the inside on a curve and being blocked from easement on the other side there was no way out of that defeating sink. But they efficiently emptied the boat of themselves, and then the water, and got across the finish line. It easy to be honorable in a win, but much harder to be so in a defeat as that, but the boat down by the finish line did it very honorably. I was not able to follow the other boat down at the other end.

I have to make coffee now for the morning. I will be back in a minute the video is still uploading. Okay, I am back... and I just called my sister whining and questioning about this 2 minute upload, and just as we hung up... it finished. Well almost, right, not quite - then. It is like the Monte Python scene where he is declaring him dead, but the dead guy is saying that he is not dead. When you do finally get to view it, it will be sideways. Sorry, but life is sometimes sideways, and we don't always have the 10 pm knowledge on how to change it ourselves... Tell you what...I am going to bed, and when I get up.... maybe this F & C (fun and comforting) uploading thing will be done. I think I will try to stick to photos from now on, eh? Enjoy the pics and the vid. In case William pushes the post button before I get up and add something else very poignant. Austin

Okay well, it was still uploading this morning so I had to cancel that. So much for the internet wonders. Got to go to work. As they, "Have a nice day!" Mor epics and stories later about Pague.

PS Dragon Boaters Rule. No Doubt, No Question.

1 comment:

lynda said...

Excellent review of the city - a few corrections - 4 boats went down during the 2000m races and a couple more just barely made it. - Boats have 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson - the coach had the premier men paddle w/ 18 men to lighten the boat and avoid a sinking. Good Call! The cause of the sinking was the boat's wake at the front pouring into the boat.
It was truly an awesome experience and I am SO glad I had family and friends there to enjoy it w/ and w/out me. :-)