Prague, Episode 3

We went to Josefov quarter today. It was a somber walk through the Maisel Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Spanish Synagogue. I was particularly saddened when I learned that of 10,000 children under the age of 15 that were sent to Terezin only 242 survived. Drawings by these children were on display and just brought home their cruel fate. There were stories on how the adults tried to make the children lives "normal" by having school lessons - all done under secrecy.

It was another late night for us. We dined at this great Italian restaurant followed by a stop at a jazz club where Clinton played. They had tons of pictures of him playing the sax plastered around the place. Then we joined the conference people at a club where Colin discovered the fossball table upstairs. I was having flashback from college: me watching him play in a smoke filled, beer smelling bar. Now those were the days. Finally begged off at 2AM. Here I am calling the girls on the way to the hotel.

Prague, Part Deux

Colin left me to my devices this morning. I set out to see the shops in the Old Town. Without checking my map, I happily walked in the winding alleyways that opened up to hidden squares. I browsed through galleries hoping to find a painting. I passed the hot wine stalls (it was only 11 in the morning after all). The elaborate doors were enchanting and I honestly felt that I walked with my head up to see the rooftops. I was lucky I didn't stumble in the cobblestone streets. I did not care what street I was on since every few blocks were signs pointing to the Karlov Most (Charles Bridge) or
Staromestske nam. (Old Town).

I met up with Colin for lunch. We headed to Jachymka Bier Fabrik. I had no idea what it means but suspected it has everything to do with beer. This glass was as big as my head. This particular 1 liter of beer cost 52 CZk or $2.45 (for comparison a bottled water .3L cost $3.25). So we pretty much drank beer on this trip.

That evening we went to dinner with the rest of the conference folks (the reason for being in Prague at the first place). A restaurant on castle ground. St.
Vitus's Cathedral looming above. Cool.

Addendum:

Bedtime 2:30AM. Since Prague is 6 hours ahead, it was really 8:30PM in Boston. Quite early for bed. Although Colin had to get up for a 8 o'clock meeting. I politely asked him to put the No-Disturb sign as I rolled over.

Prague or not to Prague

My mom and my aunts (plus an uncle) came on Thanksgiving Day. Colin cooked up the whole delicious meal from the turkey to the cheesecake. I did cook the cranberry sauce and made the filling for pumpkin pie. I did contribute. Some.

The Ladies (as I call them) came to watch over the girls as Colin and I escaped, er, I mean, travelled to Prague. Flew to London Friday night and tried to catch the earlier connecting flight to Prague. But such as it is with baggage restriction we were relegated to wait 7 hours. Seven hours in the airport! We hauled ourselved to the BA arrival lounge and were ready to make do with the sofas. An attendant beckoned us to the sanctuary. Sanctuary. A place of refuge. A darkened room with reclining cushy chairs. We slept for about 5 hours and revived our feet and body.

Finally, we arrived in Prague and ensconced ourselves to Hotel Alchymist. A beautiful hotel owned by an Italian with penchance for Asian furniture. Colin and I had a mission: eat. We went to Charles Bridge, found a restaurant and ordered a pivo (beer) without delay. Oh, and also, I had goulash. Colin had pork knuckle. Go figure.

Good Wishes for Emma

Emma received a card today from her class wishing her Happy Birthday. They all wrote something about Emma. Here are some good wishes from her 1st Grade class.

"Happy Birthday. You are good at writing."
"Happy Birthday. You are good at being a tree in gym." (I think he meant the yoga pose as oppose to an actual tree)
"Emma. You are fun to play with."
"You are funny. You are good at playing tag."
"You are really good at math."
"You are an interesting friend."
"Happy Birthday! I like you."

Simple but wonderful.

Today, Emma told me in her most grown up voice, "Mom, you don't have to clean up now. I can do it since I am 7 now." Bless her.

She's 7 today. She who likes pink, ballet and Phantom of the Opera. She who asks for her 2 front teeth for her birthday. (But just in case they didn't arrive, she'll wait for Christmas.) She who likes chocolates and cats (but not chocolate covered cats).

Happy Birthday, Emma!

No Blinking Contest

I don't blink. Not properly. I had my eye exam recently and was told that I don't blink properly. I asked how do I blink? My optometrist explained in a patient voice that I only blink halfway. My upper lid and lower lid do not meet when I attempt to blink. I've been doing it wrong all this time. I now must do my blinking exercise 4 times a day for a month. I must re-train my eye lids to blink. I am doing them right now. At last an exercise I can do anywhere except when I am driving. I guess I could win the no blinking contest because technically I don't blink.