Hello!
After one of the longest travel days I've had, I made it to Prague. If you ever have the chance, I recommend British Airways. Smooth flight, great service, and cute English accents. Had to deal with a very inquisitive customs officer. She couldn't believe I was going to Prague alone for only 3 days and asked if I knew someone there. She obviously doesn't know my travel history. Finally, I think begrudgingly, she let me through to "pick up my baggage." I suppose she would have really flipped if I told her all my baggage was on my backpack/suitcase.
Prague is so lively and Cheap!. For whatever reason, I had an image of a dark, solemn, quiet place. That was the old communist way. Now there are businesses thriving and tourists everywhere. Show you what freedom and capitalism can do for you. Don't ever take your freedom for granted.
Prague is almost like Venice with throngs of people headed to various tourist sites. The customs lady probably hasn't been here. You can do all the sites in 2 days. The rest of it is seeing concerts, music clubs or drinking beer. Beer here is like water, it's even cheaper than bottled water. A pivo, or .5 liter, is usually about a buck! One of the unfortunate drawbacks of the new economy is the ever present McDonalds. I took pictures just to see the ridiculousness. Why would someone travel halfway around the world and eat at McDonalds when there is great Czech cuisine to eat. I was forced to last time in Paris but not this time. Whoever is in charge of Lunch next Sunday in Paris, We are NOT eating at McDonalds. But did I mention that beer is cheap?
Found a sports bar to watch the Tour Friday and Saturday. Is the Postal team just fantastic or what. Each member did their job to perfection. I don't know who is the best domestique. Landis, Chechu, Acevedo, Georgie, they've all been great! Yellow is just around the corner.
I went to a Black Light Theatre performance last night. These were invented in Prague. They actually use black light. The performance was an interpretation of The Beatles' Yellow Submarine. No dialogue, just dancing and pantomime. Throw in a little Techno and nouveau jazz, even some music reminiscent of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew (60's Jazz Fusion) and you've got Black light theatre. The story was of 2 young lovers who keep getting separated by circumstances, usually because of the old communist government. I wonder if any Czech people were in the audience. There were some stark reminders of the old ways. The Czechs have had a rough go if it, having to deal with Nazi occupation, then "liberated" by Russia after the war, only to have communism stomp on them. Through Radio Free Europe, the people were able to get outside influences and one of those was John Lennon. Lennon is absolutely revered here. There is a Lennon wall, not Lenin wall. The story was a metaphor for the Czech experience and in the end freedom love wins out, in the immortal words of John Lennon, "All You Need is Love." Amen..
With that, I leave you. Next up Nice, Alpine stages of the Tour de France, Paris.
Darryl
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