Prague to Cesky Krumlov 10/06/08

                 Prague to Cesky Krumlov
                                         10/06/08
Dear Friends and Family,

I trust that by now you have the economy back in shape and its safe to travel back home. We do get the world CNN coverage here each night when the markets close at ten so after several drinks the market reversals seem almost comical.....not quite!
It is interesting tho, to watch the world markets during the day and see their reaction to the US markets of the day before. Mike White had the unique experience of banking with Wachovia and had his monies in limbo for a few days while they merged with Wells Fargo....................I got an e-mail from the President of Wells Fargo and he said not to worry and its "business as usual" So we have decided to stay until our money and the kid's inheritance drys up.
The trip has been wonderful with many unexpected sites and experiences. It reminds me of traveling thru Europe in the 60's and 70's with the lack of freeways, high rises and all those McDonalds and KFC's. While the larger cities have the occasional fast food establishments we have managed to steer clear of them and concentrate on the potato pancakes and dumplings. Lots of soups, pork and bread so the Atkins Diet has taken quite a hit.
As some of you may already know we began our trip in Prague in the Czech Republic after stops in London for a few hours. The Gaughran's and White's came in two days ahead so they had Prague wired and the histories of the countries down to a tee. Fortunately, we were met at the airport by our guide, Marta and then proceeded to the Hotel Floor where our "travel routine began. While we have been here for almost 11 days our stays have been usually 2-3 nites at each hotel. Regardless of when we arrive, we have our welcome drink and then a brief orientation walk about the city. It really is a nice feature of the tour to get your bearings before heading out the next day.
Many of our meals are included in the tour price, all breakfasts, many lunches and some dinners. The food in Prague was quite inexpensive and of course the beer and wine were the best deals of all. What we are finding is how insufficient our knowledge really is of Eastern Europe. So it has been difficult for all of us to relate to anyone other than Charles IV and Adolph Hitler. Due to some considerations given the area by the Germans and the English most all of the building with their wonderful architecture still stands fully intact. Prague is a wonderful city. We were fortunate enough to stay in the older section which is now a pedestrian way so walking about the cobblestone promenades is quite the thing to do. A lot of trouble with the language as our hand signals and Czech leave much to be desired. We have also discovered that speaking in a loud voice doesn't help much either. Some of the museums are in English but thank got I'm not driving since the road signs with their hyphenated words would prove a real struggle to read. Fortunately I learned my lesson in Australia and am leaving the driving to a local (still can't pronounce his name, but I can recognize him by his made haircut and orange sweater).
After three nights in Prague we ventured out into the countryside via a few small cities (to be named later). One was Trebon, the other still escapes me but did have some wonderful tunnels to climb around in and hide from your enemies both centuries old ones and those of WWII. It seems as these people of eastern Europe were always fighting with someone until they finally rid themselves of the communists during the "Velvet Revolution" in the late 80"s.......what a life.
Our destination after Prague was Cesky Krumlov. Upon hearing the town's name for the first time I thought for sure it was some cream filled Bavarian pastry. Bob Gaughran had sent us a slide show prior to flying with a glimpse of the city. But in no way could the pictures do the town justice. We have all traveled to those picturesque cities that have those unforgettable roads and ally ways that scream out to be explored. Well Cesky Krumlov exceeds anything that I have ever seem before. After our welcome drink we did some exploration of the town only to be confronted at every turn in the road that was more spectacular than the last. I must have take 20 pictures of the castle tower that was painted to look like a wedding cake. From every angle and at every different time of the day the tower took on another appearance. A small river winds its way through the town with each section of the town connected by bridges.
Probably the most amazing aspect of the town was that as you approached a highlight to be photographed you were confronted by another, even more beautiful, as soon as you turned around. The city just brought a smile to your face each and every day that we were out and about. Our second day we went up stream of few kms then rafted down back thru the town. Of course its the fall over hear and the changing of the colors have been a spectacle unto themselves. Believe me when I say Bob Gaughran has personally photographed 90% of the trees in the Czech Republic. The weather has more than cooperated, with no rain, blue skies for the most part but at the same time you do bundle up during the days with even me in a scarf.
Have got to sign off for now, but I'll get back to you in a day or so