lány

We stopped in Lány where the late Czech President Msarek is buried and where the Czech version of Camp David is. The cemetery was amazing. So much history, and even a few last names we recognized! We also ate a great meal of chicken, potato pancakes, and veggies in a small local restaurant. (Oh yes, Jen and I got wine with our lunch on the plane from Chicago to Vienna.) my first reaction to seeing the real Prague outside the airport was a loud gasp and probably a few too many “oh my gosh”es. The red roofs are really what made me feel like “wow this really is it!” That probably makes sense why Assumption’s roof is red!

Other observations:

- LOTS of forestry and fields. Was not expecting that.

- We saw some people mushrooming…how cute.

- Jana says there are lots of deer, wild boars, badgers, and a few bears, and I think two others that she said but I can’t remember. So hunting is big.

- Lots of “man ‘pris” (male version of capris) and I am a-ok with that.

- Everyone has bikes. Biking or walking seem to be preferred over driving…how nice!

- Shorter distances between “towns” than I thought there would be.

- Roads are ridiculously narrow and I don’t understand patterns of traffic or laws.

- Lace curtains in almost every window. Beautiful.

- Red poppies grow everywhere in fields and such, but Jana says they're weeds to the fields, so maybe its not so good.

- Many flats in towns and “weekend houses” in villages.

- Many gardens.

Tonight in Karlovy Vary

Walked the River Teplá and surrounding area shops and such. Will write more tomorrow because I didn’t sleep on the plane and I am SO tired. Tomorrow’s day is all exploring Karlovy Vary and getting a massage in the Parkhotel Pupp. J