Pragu (Now With Real Tomatos!)

(Quick Aside: Hey reader, remember me? I have returned from my paid Hiatus (Thanks goes to the Bruce and Melinda Gates Foundation for their continued support of my travels worldwide) and am ready to continue on my rambunctious ramblings. I hope you enjoy and sorry for the delay!)

It is rare to get excited about a shower. We often take this daily routine for granted in our fast-paced semi-adventurous topsy-turvy lives. But when I snuck a peek the night before at our showering facilities (as is a necessity when checking into a hotel) a fire of anticipation was lit inside me that could only be extinguished the next morning when the blessed water fell playfully on my silky smooth skin. I could hardly sleep that night, despite my utter exhaustion, due to my excitement over a shower. You see dear, dear friends, by this point we have seen our fair share of showers and each has surprised us in their (O, let's say) uncleanliness. Hostel showers are a (O, let's say) phenomenon that must be experienced first hand (or foot (ouch.)). In some instances they are relatively clean and have continually warm running water (this is indeed an achievement) but more oft than not you feel dirtier coming out than when you went in. So to see a shower that has been cleaned within the last 24 hours, is in your room so you don't have to walk down a dirty hallway/staircase/atrium in bare feet to get to, AND has complimentary Dove soap is indeed a Hallmark occasion. And one to be taken advantage of.

My God was it refreshing!

I got out with a shave and a smile. And, already spoiled by this pyramid of greatness, I had something else to look forward to, something else to fuel that raging fire of anticipation within me.

Breakfast.

We had made a bad habit of 'missing' our past complimentary 'breakfasts.' But these, as is expected in hostels (devotees will remember my first London experience) usually consist of tea, coffee, some sort of bran, and white bread. Not, however, this one.

We had awoken early (*gasp*) to catch it, and catch it we did (what a sentence!). It pleased mine eyes when thy fell upon the scene that was before us (and this particular instance would not end in disappointment, but, rather, the greatest of satisfaction (like the Stones said, 'I can get Satisfaction' (didn't they?))):trays filled with cakes, fresh breads, granola, yogurts (yoghurts), juices, teas, coffee, smelly tasty cheeses, sliced meats, eggs, sausages, beans, potatoes, fresh fruits, salads, and more...and more! (Quick aside: I have just realized that my mind remembers almost to perfection what I ate at this breakfast even perhaps how many cups of apple juice I had (5) but not so much the names of the places we would see later that day or what historical significance each landmark had. Hmph, it's funny how the mind works. Oh well.) I can say without blush I indulged in one of the seven deadly sins that morning. And it wasn't sloth.

Fully satisfied (stuffed is such an ugly word) from this eatery of excellence (indeed, How I do long for it now!) we moved slowly and gingerly towards the city center and a walk to remember (starring Mandy Moore and Chad Michael Murray (how do I know that?)).

The sun sang as we ambled along, enjoying the easy pace of the city-folk and the remarkably laid back style of such a bustling and historically significant metropolis. We snapped a few pictures hither and thither and mostly just smiled our way past each strikingly beautiful landmark. There was an energy in Prague that I had yet to experience anywhere else, one that invigorated and heightened my senses. I looked from person to person nodding in a way that suggested, 'I get it, I am one of you, accept me.' I looked from beauty to beauty sighing and cooing and remarking, 'Why, isn't that remarkable?' or 'My, what a sight to behold!' I looked from building to building, debating if I could afford to live in each one and what an apartment cost in such a grandiose location. At one point I briefly considered approaching a woman walking her dogs into an apartment building and asking if there were any spaces available this time of year. Luckily for her and my parents, I thought better of it and instead continued our ambling ways.

As with almost all big cities Prague is endowed with a multitude of Parks. And as with all big cities we've visited we thought it was our duty to enter these parks and enjoy a leisurely stroll through gardens of green. Our choice for a "Leisurely Stroll" was chosen from a complimentary map given to us by our hotel and was subtly named Petrin Hill.

It was always Dave's favorite part of the day when Scott or I mentioned a light walk up a hill (devotees will again recall his troublesome time up a "hill" in Barcelona) so as we approached this particular park a wave of frustration ridden anxiety passed across his face. Before us was another uphill climb for a moment of sheer awesomeness. For at the top of this hill laid, we were sure, a view that left all previous views bereft of substance (bereft of life, even!). Dave's anxiety was quickly replaced by a fleeting joy, however, when his eyes fell upon what looked to be rail tracks clinging to the side of the hill. 'Is there a tram?' His eyes wild with delight. He knew the question before asking it, though, and as soon as he asked it I feel he knew the answer. 'I'm not paying for it.'

I was feeling spritely, if not jovial, and a quick jaunt up the hill was just what I was in the mood for. As Dave quietly huffed and puffed and cursed his way up it, it took all of me to withhold from sprinting wildly up the hill and opening my arms in an arching spin a la Maria from The Sound of Music. Scott and I continually tried to find the shortest (and steepest) path to the top, which continued to (well let's say) worsen Dave's mood. But, at the top of this surprisingly steep hill, an oasis laid before us and all was righted. We rested awhile on white benches situated around a ready-to-bloom garden. The sun was high in the sky and it beat upon us like a heavy hammer. Shade was our ally and we sat fairly silent for about twenty minutes, watching a smorgasbord of Prahans wander about the small garden atop this large hill. After our feet were fully rested we decided to explore this hilltop, which in fact was somewhat of a devoured fort with high walls and curiously strewn buildings. Wandering away from the fort, however, we found what appeared to be a miniature Eiffel Tower and the first thing that came to Scott and my mind was, 'I have to climb it.'

Dave sat this one out and up Scott and I ventured. The view from atop this 300-staired mini tower was startling. A panoramic view of the entire city was afforded by a rotund observation deck and easy (perhaps too easy) opening windows. It was a romantic moment between the city and I as I said lovingly, and most assuredly as silently as possible, 'You take my breath away.' After snapping a few pictures we stepped down the steps (too redundant?) and looked around for Dave, eager to rub it in his face. Both of us quickly explained it's awesomeness and Dave responded in monosyllabic grunts, intent on the fact that he did not pay the 20 kronas for a view that he thought he had already seen (and partly he was right, though the view was majestic it did not really afford anything unseen from the ground). We agreed to disagree and carried on our way.

We were a bit worn for the day's outing and the sun was just deciding to wane in the pleasantly blue sky, so we decided to take the tram back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. Little did we know what we would encounter that afternoon.