Lines, Lines and More Lines

Thanks to two Polish holidays; Pracy Day (Labor Day) and Konstytucja Day (Constitution Day) we were able to enjoy a four day weekend in Prague! It really hit me this weekend that Prague is a place we would have never visited had we not had this incredible opportunity to live and work in Poland. So on with it...

Needing gas and breakfast before heading out of Wrocław we ran into the first of many long lines. The gas station lines were so long we opted to hit the road without filling up (this will play into our adventure in Prague later) but we did choose to stand in line at the local McDonalds (funny how priorities can become mixed up sometimes)! McDonald's just began serving breakfasts so interest must have been higher. We found it interesting that Craig's breakfast meal included french fries instead of hash browns. It seems hash browns aren't common around here so french fries will have to do!

Unlike our other destinations the roads leading to Prague were all two-lane highways. Bummer...not only do I hate passing on these narrow, windy roads but I have to worr about "Polish Passers". There is no other way to describe them other than flat-out scary! They don't care if they are in a passing zone or whether another car is on-coming or not. Gun and go!!! I never said "whoa" or "watch out" as many times as I did to and from Prague. It is apparent why there are so many memorial crosses along the side of the roadways. My singular line of defense is to leave a huge cushion between my car and the car I am following in the event a "Polish Passer" needs to swerve in front of me. Who would have thought I'd feel safer driving 100 mph on the autobahn!!!

As we passed into the Czech Republic we had to stop at a gas station to purchase a road tax sticker. Hmmm....do you think there might be a line??? Of course!!! We noticed the gentleman in front of us was having a bit of a problem asking for his road tax sticker - because he was speaking English! Turns out he was from Peoria, IL and living in Katowice Poland. It is like finding a little piece of home when you run into someone from the US. Thanks to his struggles we were able to tag-team by saying, "We want what he just bought"! whew....

Oh, by the way, we opted not to fill the tank here either since our gas card wouldn't work there!

Upon arriving in Prague we were pleasantly surprised to see our room was upgraded from two twin beds to a king-size on the executive floor. Not sure how that happened but after standing in line to check in it was one dang nice surprise!

I never realized how huge Prague is. It is a city of 1.3 million people. Unlike some of the other cities we've visited, Prague was not damaged by war. The buildings are amazing! We spent the bulk of our time in "Old Town" where we walked through the winding, narrow, cobblestoned roads. Of course, a day in Prague would not be complete without a Czech beer. We found a table on the square and ordered a beer and black bread fried in goose fat and served with fresh garlic. Not too shabby I must say!

Day two was spent visiting Prague Castle and the Mala Strana. The president of the Czech Republic lives in the castle and access is much more liberal than Buckingham Palace. We could actually enter the gates! Every day at noon they have a formal changing of the guards. Of course there were throngs of people everywhere. Interestingly enough, they simulate the ending of the war with military jeeps with "American and Czech" soliders roaring through the town. Definitely didn't want to cross any streets for fear of one's life! We took the obligatory picture with the unmoving guard which I will post later!

Lines to purchase tickets to view the inside of the palace were not only out of the building but weaved across the square. Not happening for us...so we wandered through the royal gardens. Unlike the throngs of people in and around the castle it was remarkably peaceful in the gardens. We were once again invigorated and ready to tackle the crowds again so we headed to St. Vits Cathedral. Believe it or not, the lines to walk through the cathedral wound all the way around the cathedral. Let's just say we took pictures from the outside only!!!

Time to head back to Old Town. Unfortunately, the Charles Bridge (which is a HUGE attraction with 30 magnificent statues lining the bridge) was wall-to-wall people trying to cross in both directions! I timed it...45 minutes to cross!!! I, for one, was happy the people around us chose to wear deoderant! I was never sandwiched between so many foreigners in my life! Good thing we've learned patience from living in Poland where standing in lines in commonplace. I'm also extremely glad I am not claustrophobic! I did have a back spasm, which drained all color from my face. I guess the fact I was sardined in a mass of humanity was good otherwise I would have passed out.

Saturday found us wandering through the Jewish Quarters. Guess we should have figured the synagogues and the Jewish cemetery would be closed on the Jewish Sabbath! Once again, we took pictures from the outside only. That's ok since we had to pass through the trendy neighborhood shops where I drooled over Versace, Dolce Cabana and one magnificent yellow diamond ring at Cartier. Craig told me I was married to the wrong guy if I really had to have that diamond!

Now...a wise man once told me a marriage is truly tested when one hangs wallpaper with their significant other. I respectfully disagree! A marriage is tested when lost, with no gas in a town where street signs are consonants only!!! Let's just say I drove the wrong way on a one-way street twice. Once accidentally and the other on purpose so we could get back to the hotel (ground zero) and ask for directions! Craig swore a few times - but he did tell me it was never directed at me!!!

Overall our trip was incredible. We saw snow in the mountains, we survived "Polish Passers" and we learned to hold our bladders extraordinarily long times to avoid paying to stand in long, pay toilet lines!

I will post pictures after my camera battery is charged.