The drive was fairly easy, but boring. We are 45 minutes from the Czech border and then another two hours to Prague. We had to stop at as gas station once we crossed the border and buy this vignette - which allowed us to drive on the Czech toll roads.
This was pretty much the view the entire trip ... snow, snow, snow ... and a little more snow.
I was a little nervous to leave our car in the parking garage; as vehicle theft rates are very high in Prague, but then we noticed this little guy. I'm pretty sure the Ferrari would go before our rental car ...
We checked into our hotel room, and it was fantastic - even though the hotel itself lacked most amenities that you are used to in the states. Eli loved all of the space to roam ...
Our hotel key was literally a key ... no fancy card swiping for this place ...
The exchange rate in the Czech Republic is most definitely in our favor ... which may have been our favorite part of the trip. We got around 24 Czech crown for every 1 Euro ... which explains the thousand crown bills ...
We gave in to our American cravings and hit the nearby Hard Rock Cafe ... and I didn't regret any minute of it. I had the most amazing bacon cheeseburger of my life ...
REO Speedwagon guitar for my dad :) ...
Inside the Hard Rock ...
While Vic ordered a Czech beer - I stuck with my American theme and ordered a daiquiri ... it's not too often you see these on menus around here!
Little square outside of our hotel. This is a strictly pedestrian zone - no wonder I was getting crazy stares while we were driving around this circle looking for our hotel ... oops ...
Astronomical clock in the city center. Massive.
Another view ...
Buildings in the city center ... normally I do research and figure out the names and history of buildings, but it was too cold ... I'll fill you in when we return this summer ...
View of the whole city center ...
Huge statue in the city center ...
The detail on the church was amazing ...
These places were everywhere ... 8 Euro for an hour massage - sounds a little sketchy to me!
The prices looked so funny - it looks expensive, but the pizza was about 2.50 Euro. Aside from our splurging at the Hard Rock we ate and drank for insanely cheap. I think beers were typically 1.50 Euro!
Harry Potter in the Wax Museum ...
Crazy Viking lady standing out in the freezing cold ...
Vic in front of the tower in the city center.
Back to the hotel on the first night ... I think it took two hours for the feeling to return to my feet. While Vic and I froze - we did a really good job with keeping E bundled up. While we were out and about, he didn't fuss or complain at all!
Day two ...
Little alley ways with different types of stores ... there is nothing modern about this city - you almost feel like you are back in time!
On the roof of our hotel ...
Visiting the St. Charles bridge - so much history here ...
View from the bridge.
Looking back onto the city ...
Adding our lock to the bridge ... we typically don't do touristy things like this, but ... when in Czech - do as the Czechkies do ...
Our lock ...
View from the bridge with the Prague castle in the background ... Eli was passed out for most of the day ...
We stopped for lunch at a place that advertised 'Tank Beer' ... and it was just that - beer in a tank ...
Still passed out ...
Vic ordered some kind of meat-filled dumpling sack. He said they were delicious. No thank you.
A Czech jazz band that played in the city center ... they were actually pretty good. Live music is HUGE in Prague ... almost every restaurant we went into had a piano, or some kind of a stage set-up.
Absinth was also popular, and legal here ...
Our our first night we ate at a nearby hotel ... we picked it because it was close, looked warm, and was not crowded. They advertised themselves as a Dominican restaurant but there was nothing Dominican about the place or food ...
Beautiful bar area ...
Vic ordered his go-to meal of a pork knuckle. It was so cheap, so we figure he would get half of a portion. Wrong. They brought him the biggest pork knuckle we have seen yet - and a spit to go with it.
Eli opted for pickles and bread. Yes, yes ... he's in pajamas in public. Don't judge - it was cold!
He came pretty close to finishing it!
While our hotel was great - we were in a prime location for the party crowd. Sleep was a little difficult with drunk people stumbling down this ally way all night ...
Marionette theater ...
We were able to test out our new ruck-sack that my mom got us for Christmas (see the large book bag) - it is much easier than rolling a suitcase through busy cities. We love it!
Marionettes were very popular in Prague ... I love the Obama one ...
On our way home we had to stop at a Czech McDonalds. There was nothing too noticeably different on the menu - just delicious as always.
This was a blast from the past ... I haven't seen these high chairs at a McDonalds for years. It was the kind with the two little knobs on the tray that you have to pull out. Crazy.
The trip was a success. Besides the rental car - we lived it up for two days for insanely cheap. We can't wait to go back when we don't have to wear two coats and three pairs of socks!
Eli had a great first birthday! We took him to his 12-month check-up and the doctor said he looks great. Shill tall and skinny, but it's not a problem. He is starting to stand on his own, so I'm guessing steps are coming really soon!! We'll keep the video recorder handy!
I took cupcakes into his daycare class, and it was hilarious. The babies could not have been happier, and it was a lot of fun watching them make a huge mess ...
A little skeptical at first ...
Maybe I'll just try a little bite ...
This kid is hilarious, and the one responsible for teaching Eli ornery behavior ...
Going all in ...
So happy ...
All of his friends ...
Eli is the youngest in his class by a couple of months, and Ms. Chastity (his favorite teacher) said that he is the best artist in the class! She said she has never seen a baby his age that is able to color so well!! Woohoo ... maybe we have the next Picasso on our hands??
School is absolutely kicking my butt ... I didn't realize the classes would be so hard, but I am getting through it. Vic leaves at the beginning of February for a couple weeks, so I will be taking advantage of that time to really get ahead and start on some of my big papers.
We are having a little birthday party for E tomorrow, so I will post pictures - it should be fun :)
