My kids are heading back to the states this Morning...

It took so long for this past week to arrive. After waiting months and months; These 10 days went by so fast. Now, its time for them to return home. It was Good to see my children. No... it was Great to see my children!

I tried to show them the Prague I live in, like and enjoy, have them experience the daily life of the city, the ease of using the Metro and the trams, and to see some of the places I frequent and which have become part of my life here.

They got to see a fair bit of the Czech countryside on several occasions as well and to me that was important.

I am grateful they came to visit me, and that they spent their entire annual allotment of their vacation times this year in doing so. I know Vacation time is precious to them. I appreciated it very much and the time they have spent here with me and in "putting up" with me as I undoubtedly tried to cram too much into each day.

I know they do not have the same feeling as I have of this place which is normal, but still, perhaps upon reflection of their trip in the coming days, they might understand to a greater extent why I am here now and why I like the life here.

It was GREAT having YOU both here. ;-)

Retraced some steps today....

..but many new ones also.

The last full day here for my children. We did unhurried things. Stopped for coffee here, Czech pastry there. Stopped in at the Palladium Mall in Namesti Republiky during a brief mid-morning rain. Walked to Karlovo náměstí in the early afternoon and sat in the sunshine at the fountain and watched people walk by on this sunny Sunday afternoon; then off for a cold Staropramen beer on Michalská in the late afternoon. Seems we were all over the map today.

Toward dinner time, went to the Zizkov TV tower in Jirího z poděbrad before walking further up Vinohradská to have a nice dinner at a Potrefená husa restaurant in Flora; then on down to Cafe-Cafe in Můstek for desserts of rich creamy cakes and tea. Then Stopped for a last time at Tesco in Novy Smíchov so the kids could pick up some last minute "food related gifts" for their friends in the states.

and nice day here in Prague, and bittersweet knowing my children will return home tomorrow morning.

..and...an "interesting" Confection...

...in the snack shop in the Botanical Garden, spied this strange confection, and in English much to my surprise.

Bonsai trees in Troja's Botanical Garden

Yesterday's visit to one of Prague largest Botanical Gardens, in Troja, included a pleasant walk through the Japanese Garden and it's exhibit of Bonsai trees. Here are several...

Troja Chateau, Botanicals gardens, An Opera - Carmen

After a nice Brunch, we headed to Troja on bus #112 to see the botanical gardens, including an amazing Japanese garden with many bonsai trees. Just sat in the sun for a couple hours, visited the Troja Chateau and its grounds also.

This evening we went to the State Opera Theatre to see the Opera Carmen. A first for me and something Adam's suggested this past Monday. Wine on the outside balcony before hand; a nice touch. The theatre was old, gold leaf gilded, and beautiful and the Opera was excellent as well.

Tomorrow will be the last full day here in Prague for my kids.

Flower Shop - Lazarska

Bohemian Bagel, Petřín, Letnany Beer Festival, Myšák Cukrana

Busy Day today, kids took the bikes back at 9am, then we went close to Charles Bridge and had a good/big/yummy "American" breakfast with American Drip Coffee(very few places serve this)at a place called Bohemian Bagel. It is A restaurant started by an American expat which serves American style meals and Makes American type bagels, which by the way, are mostly non-existent here(but still were not as good as in Brighton).

...then took the Cog "tram" up Petřín hill to the top and walked around for a while.
There is an observatory there with 3 telescopes, as well as a rose garden and an old very mature and well maintained Baroque garden. Stopped at the restaurant half way down, to sit and over look old town Prague while enjoying a cold Pilsner.

Next headed on Metro C to the end of the line; Letnany. The site of 5 large circus style tents celebrating 80 different Czech beers and the breweries that make them, at the 3rd annual Czech Beer Festival(bottom picture). Enjoyed a typical Czech dish for these events: Klobasi and slices of hearty bread with mustard.

then finally after leaving Letnany went back to Centrum, to Myšák, a famous Czech Sweet Shop which specializes in homemade ice cream and their special home-made Karmel sauce. Different but Good. The Ice cream is Delicious!
Ended our day Full and a full day as well...

House in Smichov

Kids day off....

Today my kids wanted to spend a day alone... they rented bicycles in Smichov and pedaled 22 miles south of Prague to Karlstejn Castle, following the Vltava and then Berounka rivers in many places. Initially they thought it would just take a couple hours to pedal there and back. But They finally reached Karlstejn after biking for 5 hours! Pedaled through 2 downpours, but saw the Castle; they decided to return to Prague via the train... They were able to see so much of the Czech countryside and towns along the way. A long day but an adventure they can talk about for many years to come..

and me. Well, went to my cafe for awhile, then stopped in a park... you know the rest I am sure. I am on vacation this week.

The blue span pictured above is a bike/hiking bridge over the Berounka river.

The Berounka River Valley

The Berounka River if found south of Prague and joins the Vltava River just south of Prague. From Prague, heading toward Plzen, The train follows this river almost entirely to the town of Beroun, where the rivers then turns west and twists and turns like a snake as it heads toward Křívolkát Castle, then onto Rakovník, further west.

The river is a favorite destination for canoeists, especially when it flows into the Křivoklátsko Landscape Protection Area two additional castles look out over the river.

Gallerie Jakubska, an Old Town Square Lunch, Letna Park

Another Nice day here in Old Prague. Stopped to see a friend at his Gallerie behind Old Town Square. Cool Paintings, had lunch looking out over old Town Square; Petit quantity of food, cafe style, all for close to 1000 crowns.. BUT, the view and sitting in the sunshine made it worthwhile. Later, nice dinner on Michalska; excellent.

Photo: Window in Beroun

National Museum, Karluv Most, Řičany, Mukařov

Sunny day today; Visited the National Muzeum for a few hours; walked again over the Charles Bridge since the sun was in Full shine; spent the evening with a friend, his wife and her sister in their lovely home in Mukařov(26 km South of Prague) for a BBQ; great wine, good conversation and wonderful grilled chicken, pork, sausage and Hermelin(Brie) na grilu... a really nice evening, a beautiful sunset, on into the night. Got back about 12:30am. ...a really nice time with good friends...

Jo, co & no

Three words heard all the time here in the Czech Republic, and so different from their English "meanings".

Jo, (sounds like Yo) is said a lot here: it means: Ok, or the equivalent of OK.
Co, pronounced like "so" means: What!!?
No, is short for ano, which means Yes.

Jo, is not the "Yo" of "Rocky Balboa" or of young "american" hipsters trying to get your attention, but is a word of Agreement, meaning "ok"..."Sure".
one hears "no" all the time, but it means the opposite of no, but yes!(really confusing when you hear it, usually as two people converse... no, no, no, yes confusing)
and co is THE Czech word for: What??? Co Ze?

tak...oh yes, "tak"... tak means "so" or using a larger word.. "therefore"..

tak, Got it?

Vyšehrad, Rain, Riegrovy sady, Rain...

..but warm Today. It was a nice Spring day, thunder storms but brief. Visited Vyšehrad, the site of the first Prague Castle, over looking the Vltava. Walked from there down into the Nusle "valley" and back up the other side, then took the tram to Jirího z poděbrad and had lunch at the beer garten. Sat on the hill overlooking Prague for quite awhile.

Facts #7 - Best Fact of All

Fact #7: My Kids are here in Prague. !!! ;-)