It's Been A While

It has been a year since our last vacation (I know, I understand, some of you have not been on vacation in a much longer time than that). It has been almost three years since we were last in Europe, together (again, I know, wah...wah...). Kristen has traveled to Singapore, Kazakhstan and Australia for work. So, in addition to the obscene amounts of money we spend on our Continental credit card for our cute little daughter (producing miles) and Kristen's work related miles, we decided to spend the additional amount it would take to put us in Prague via business class travel. I, of course have never travelled business class, but now I don't think I will ever go back to coach. How could you? Drinks when you want them. Hundreds of movies and music channels as soon as you set foot on the plane. Three course dinners. Hot breakfasts. A seat that reclines, really reclines, and opens to at least 165 degrees for sleeping purposes. EVERYTHING! Two movies, a few drinks, a good meal and a nice nap later, Kristen and I were feeling good and ready to tackle what Prague (pronounced Pra-Ha) had in store for us. We did not take any pics on the plane as we were trying hard to play it cool, act like we've been there before...other people were watching us...

We had made arrangements with a local shuttle service to pick us up and take us to our hotel. After first class service in the air, our driver holding the "Vacek" sign met us outside baggage claim and we were off through the streets outside the capitol of The Czech Republic. The Czech Republic, as many of you are probably aware, was home to a number of my family members before immigrating to the United States. Since booking this vacation, I have been interested in seeing how a local would pronounce my name, figuring that our version (VAH-sick) was the result of several manipulations along the way. The driver, being from Los Angeles, was of no help in this matter. But, arriving at the hotel, I finally heard it..."Good Morning Mr. VAH-seck." I was a little disappointed, expecting VAH-check, VAH-chick or some other variation, but VAH-seck is what I got. I am still not satisfied though and think I found a place that I can get a better pronunciation. Closed today when I found it, I will definitely be by there tomorrow (regardless of what a bio market is...)

The room key in hand, Kristen and I charged out into the streets as we always do ready to tackle a new adventure. Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral sit on a hill overlooking the city, so that was goal #1. In typical Vacek fashion we decided to climb a gigantic freaking hill first thing. We like to just go ahead and do the most physical activity first thing while we're jetlagged. Up and up we climbed through the windy streets.

Prague is unique in that almost every building is of different architecture. It's kind of a mismash of baroque, renaissance and modern. Up a "steeper than it looks street" (think San Fransico) and a million stairs (its obvious now that Kristen has assumed writing duties), we were finally at the castle. Notice that the Czech's also like the fuzzy hat look, just a little more understated.

After our self-guided tour we disagreed with Rick Steve's opinion. He gave the castle two stars. We gave it one. We were not so impressed. Sorry to Blake's ancestors, but their castle is a little lacking in almost everything. We did learn one new term today at the castle: Defenestration. Evidently there is actually a law in Prague that makes defenestration legal. It's actually the act of "Throwing someone out the window." Evidently when the old Czechs got pissed, they stormed the castle and threw whoever they weren't so happy with out the window. Hmmmm. Might come in handy at work.

While the castle, we felt, was below our ridiculously high standards, St. Vitus, the cathedral, was beautiful and enormous.

Since it's a little bit newer cathedral, it doesn't have the exact same feel as some of the ancient places we've seen in other parts of Europe. We DID however see Good King Wencelas of the least popular Christmas Carol Ever! Turns out his tomb is where the kings of old used to be crowned. The wallpaper in the chapel is encrusted with semi precious stones. For some reason they wouldn't let us in (I wonder why). Then guess what we did!? Duh, you already know.

We got our climb on. 287 steps puts this somewhere in the middle of our cathedral climbing adventures. The fog was rolling in while we were up at the top, but we still got some nice views of the city.

After all that walking up hills and steps we decided we were hungry and wanted to try "Traditional" Czech food for our first night here. Blake has been excited about eating massive amounts of pig and beer since we decided to come to Prague. Guess what he got!?

No, this isn't a mideveal torture device, it's a pig knee! Blake didn't know whether he should crown it after the waiters procession to the table with the mess of meat, but decided in the end to dig in Fred Flintstone style. Pair it with some Beer and Blake is a happy pig gorging camper. I had another staple, pot roast in cream sauce with dumplings. The dumplings are not like what you're thinking though. They're more big dense pieces of bread.

Since we had to walk off all that greasy pork, we decided to take a nightime stroll across the river. The government must've heard that we were coming because right as we got to the perfect spot over the bridge, fireworks set to classical music started. What a nice gesture. Ever one treats you better when you fly first class!

We wandered through the streets of the old town. Everything is always a bit more magical at night. Part of the city even look a little "disneywold." This is the gate the the Charles River Bridge with the castle in the background.

We look forward to our coming days in The Czech Republic. Tomorrow we plan on visiting a WWII concentration camp in the town of Terezin. Until then...