Day 84: Henges and Cathedrals

The kids check out the telephone booth while we wait.
Venice says it smells like a urinal.

OMG, it stinks to have to get up so early (just after 6am). We drag ourselves out of bed and nibble on some of the food we brought home from the airport last night. Then, we walk to the British Museum (about an 8 minute walk) to meet the van that will take us on our day-long tour today.

There is a long line at the entrance of the museum and we're not sure why. We booked our tour with a company that doesn't go on big coach-buses. This touring company does smaller groups for tours, so we think this line can't be for our tour. But the museum doesn't open until 9 or 10 am (the café opens at 9am and the museum at 10am) and it's 7:20am, why such a long line? Chris investigates across the street and our van is there. Phew. We are in a small group.

Sleeping in the van.

So far, we are all Americans on the tour. After a few other pick-ups, it's 14 Americans and 2 Australians. One guy says his work takes him between New York and SF, but he lives in Africa and is now here, in the UK to have his 4th baby. He sounds very self-important when he says HE just had HIS 4th baby. I'm thinking his wife is really the hero here. And, by the way, what's happening here? Your wife is home with three kids and a newborn while you are on this tour? Not winning points with me, my friend. Side note, when our tour guide talks about the French and their lack of deodorant (yes, he often says inappropriate things that you might laugh at anyway), I smell someone in the van who might take offence. At first, I thought it was the Texans, but I'm thinking it's this self-important dude.

Anyway, our tour guide likes to talk a lot and adds his own opinion (not so veiled) and jokes. I have to imagine, someone with this kind of personality must be called to a job like this. In the end, however, we learn a lot of history from him, about London, neighbourhoods, Saxons, Celts, Normans, and more (like the fact that he really wants Will and Kate to be King and Queen, skipping over Charles and Camilla OR that the cyclists who ride around town are called mammals... or MAMLs - middle aged men in lycra... ok, I laughed at that one).

He also claims that once we get out of London and onto the straight roads, people will sleep and he keeps a lot more quiet... he wasn't wrong. Next thing I know, I'm waking up from my own cat nap to see everyone else in the van is conked out. It could be because we all got up early, but I'm also convinced it is strategic on our guide's part. He ran the air (which he claims is either off or on, no in between) while we were driving through the city traffic, keeping us alert. But once we were on the freeway, he cut the air and it became very warm in the van... inducing us to sleep? You be the judge.

We finally make it to our first destination, Old Sarum, around 10am. It's drizzly, but not too bad. We get out and walk around a bit looking at the old ruins and footprints of the old castle and cathedral. I think Xander's favourite part was the Royal Potty... it was a HUGE area.... he wondered how long it would take to fill it... I don't think answer that was on the information plaque.

After looking around for a while, we all filed back into the van. Next on the list is Salisbury Cathedral, which is only 1.5 miles from here. According to our guide, England uses miles (instead of kilometers) because it was the old Roman method as well as it pissed off France. I've been wondering why they didn't use km, and now, if I choose to believe, I know!

I have heard that both Chris and Venice loved Old Sarum. I did too, but I think the surprise for me is how much I loved the Salisbury Cathedral. I'm not usually a big fan of churches and their opulence or history. I often feel uncomfortable in churches. But from the instance I walked into this cathedral, I was enamoured and in awe.

The light inside is beautiful. There are so many places to sit and pray, or hear a sermon, or have a private moment. Each corner seemed to have its own feel, all the while, complimenting the essence of the cathedral overall. I can only imagine what the choir must sound like in here, but I imagine it to be otherworldly.

The World's Oldest Working Clock (left), The Choir (middle), One of the organs (right)

After we had our fill of looking around the cathedral (really, I didn't get enough time in there, but we were hungry and needed to get food at the cafeteria before leaving), we headed to find lunch.

My biggest regret about this stop is that we did not get to see one of the original copies of the Magna Carta (there are four original copies). We didn't see it in the cathedral. We knew it was there, but didn't see it. On our way back to the bus (and in a hurry) after hitting the restrooms, we see a sign with an arrow pointing to a room down at the end of an open hall (not in the cathedral). There is a bit of a line, so we can't even run to catch a glimpse. It was too late at this point. So... we missed out. Bummer.

But, I took tons and tons and tons of photos inside the cathedral. So, I will revel in these as they remind me of my experience inside.

I returned to the van a pretty happy camper. I think if the tour ended here, I would have been very happy. As it is, we are not done, we are headed to Stonehenge.

It has begun to sprinkle again. So, when we arrive at the visitor centre at Stonehenge, we receive audio guides inside plastic made to keep them dry. After getting our tickets and making a pit stop, we head to a bus that will take us "To The Stones" which is 2 miles away from the visitor centre (an attempt to control the masses who make it here every year to see The Stones).

Visitor Center, Bus (top)
Ticket area, Visitor Center (bottom)

Once we're off the bus, we walk towards the stones, which we can now see in the distance. It's a bit surreal to see them in person. Some of us had built up ideas in our heads of how big they would be. How tall or how wide the diameter.

We all knew we couldn't get up close to them. I have to say, photographically speaking, I'm glad about this rule. If we were all allowed to walk among the stones, I'd have several people in my photos. As it is roped off, I was able to get some photos without a ton of strangers in them.

I will admit that I didn't listen to the audio tour all the way through. I think I listened to 2, 7, and 8 (out of total of 8). A lot of the information either we knew in advance, or our guide had informed us on the drive here. But, I know there is information I missed out on knowing. Maybe it's because of the rain and not wanting a cold hand holding the audio guide or maybe it's because it's a mystery of a place and it's more mysterious if I just experience for myself or laziness. In any case, this is why I needed Xander to remind me what the Aubrey Holes are/were (thought to be graves), thank goodness someone listened to the tour!

After taking in the stones, we head back to the visitor centre to check out their gift store. Here is where I make my second mistake of the day (the first being missing the Magna Carta). I really wanted a strategy game they had for sale in the shape of Stonehenge. It had little rocks that you place to create a henge... I don't know anymore, as I didn't want to carry it around while we shopped and in the end, when we were in a hurry to get through the line, I forgot to pick it back up. Dang it. I've joked that I will try to find it on Amazon, but Xander said it wouldn't be authentic (even though according to our guide, it's all made in China anyway).

So, sad to be without my game, but ladened with other items, we head back to the van. It is now time for our last stop on our tour, Averbury henge. I can't tell you too much about this henge, because I fell asleep on the way there (it was a 45 min drive from Stonehenge). I do know we parked in the middle of the henge. I know we were able to walk around and touch as much as we wanted. But other than that, I really don't know much. Dang cat nap... it's off to Wikipedia for me.

What we all know, however, is that we are really in storm now. It's no longer and off-again, on-again drizzle. It's a full downpour with wind. Before even crossing the radius to the stones, Xander's pants are soaked through. Our shoes are sopping. Some coats are failing. I am super grateful I had to buy a new coat. It's nice and cozy and I'm pretty happy in it. My jeans are another story (denim is awful when it's wet).

Venice found a hole (left), Venice's photo of me (right)

Chris took Xander out of the wet field almost immediately. Venice and I stuck it out for a few more minutes before throwing in the towel. We all met up at the local pub (which I'm guessing is benefiting greatly from this storm!) Kids aren't allowed in the bar area, so we pick seats in another room. Good thing we were sent this way, we were able to sit at the coolest bar table ever, a glass table over an 86 ft well! Pretty cool.

This is same room where the Texans chose to sit, so we got a chance to chat and get to know them. We found out that they take a week's vacation this time every year (leaving their kids with grandma). This year, it's London. Sounds awesome!

Before long, it's time for our long drive home. It should only take 2 hours, but our driver has put some fear into us saying the last time it rained, it took him 4 hours to get back. And if anyone thinks you'd rather rent your own car and drive (that's cool), I have to say, for me, it was nice to be driven around. I took my third nap on the drive home! Worth the trade off of having to be on "someone else's schedule".

Side note: We did get to see a few (maybe 3-4) fireworks off in the distance as we got closer to the city. It reminded me that today is the 5th of November (Guy Fawkes Night) which reminds me of "V is for Vendetta", which taught me part of an English Folk Verse:

"Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!"

We did just re-watch this movie, but I think we could watch it again... but I'm off topic...

This is also the time in our tour when we discover we will not be dropped off where we were picked up (remember, an 8 min walk from our hotel). No, we will be dropped off somewhere near a Tube station. What?

Side note: We have yet to make it to an ATM machine. So we have no local currency. No English pounds. Only Euros and credit cards. So, not only are we going to have trouble tipping our tour guide (we ended up giving him U.S. dollars... tacky?) but we are going to have to figure out the Tube and hopefully their machines take credit cards. 

Anyway, I'm now nervous. It was not in my plan for us to find our way home in the dark. I didn't think we'd take the Tube today... I am not mentally prepared. But, we have no choice. Thank goodness the Texans are nice and give us some directions and a few riding tips.

We get off the tour van at the South Kensington Station. We enter (and the Texans were right, everything is well marked) the station. And there is a queue to buy tickets (I read that there is a queue almost everywhere you go in London). Anyway, it takes a few tries, but Chris figures it out and buys us 4 tickets (more on the Oyster card later) and we head to the platform.

As we get to our platform, it becomes obvious that there are a lot of people. Unlike the platforms in Berlin, that are two sided (same train lines on either side, just going in opposite directions), the platforms here are single directional and only allows for space for maybe 3 people deep before getting to the "danger line" close to the tracks. It's a bit claustrophobic feeling. I'm worried someone is going to accidentally get pushed onto the tracks.

We look to the board to see when our train will arrive. There are two of them coming, just minutes apart. Good thing, too, the first one arrived and it was packed to the gills. People were sardines as the doors opened. Someone on the platform asked if anyone was getting off, no one said anything. After a few attempts to close the doors, the train left, with no one getting off or on. So, we waited for the next train. This one was crowded too, but not overly full. We go for it, but I have to say, there is a small part of me worried that the kids, whom we're pushing on in front of us, will get on and we won't). Must be aggressive.

Phew, we all get on. Now we are the sardines and when we get to the next station, no one gets off, so no one gets on. After that stop, a few did get off and by the time we reach our destination, we're all breathing a little easier with a little more space. Even at the busiest times, the Bahns were never this crowded. Sure, we squished a lot, but not like this. Oh, boy.

A few of us were a bit stressed out by that experience. Time for food, perhaps dinner will make us feel better. Good thing there is a good looking burger joint right across from our Tube stop. We eat at Byron's (a VERY popular name for anything... restaurant, bank, hotel, street, etc.)

And will full tummies, we are ready to head back to our hotel for some real sleep, but not before noticing a Krispy Kreme store... we're plotting to come back to that!

For now, sweet dreams.

Day 65: Museums and Lights

After getting a late start to the morning, we decided to skip the farmers market. We really don't have any current food needs. We still have all those dips/spreads from last week since we didn't have any guests at the house to help us eat them up. The only really thing we want is bread. But, we decide we can get that elsewhere, so no need to make a trip to the farmers market.

Chris attempts to find a local DHL package store. We're thinking of sending home a few boxes of summer clothes and souvenirs so that we don't have to drag them to London. But, Chris couldn't find the storefront. Near his office, he has been to a DHL store that might work, but he has yet to find someone inside that store that speaks English which could make it tricky to find out all that we need to know. So for now, we're stuck until next week when more stores open and we have another chance to check it all out.

For lunch, we head north to Pizza Zia Maria. Thank goodness for nice workers. We ordered a few medium pizzas and they asked us, "Do you know the sizes of our pizzas?" He showed us what a medium would look like (too much food if we proceeded as planned) and we readjusted our order. It was just the right amount and it was amazingly yummy. Thin crust, crispy, and super flavourful cheese. Everyone was happy.

And then we became even happier as we finally got to try Hokey Pokey, an ice cream shop recommended by one of Chris' coworkers. It has been very important to this coworker that we try this place. Every week she asks if we've been able to get there. Due to its location (north and not the way we tend to travel much) we haven't been to it. Anytime we're near, it seems it's late a night, too late for an ice cream stop. But today, it's perfect timing! And, wow. It is AMAZING ice cream. It is the best we've had on this entire trip. I already want to go back. I can now understand why Chris' coworker has wanted us to come here. I can understand how it's her favourite place. We sit and enjoy our ice cream for as long as we can savour it.

Diana's ButterKaramel (left), Venice's Banana Peanut (middle-left)
Chris' BananaCrunch (middle-right) and the kids enjoying their treats (right)

Full of tasty treats, we headed back south with the intent of visiting the Altes Museum, one of five museums on Museum Island (really, an island in the middle of the river Spree). When we arrive (25 min later) people are thirsty (of course I left the water at home) and in need of a restroom. Chris wouldn't mind a coffee either. So, we search the craft fair that is going on in the streets nearby, but don't find anything. We head into the Museum Café. While Venice and I use the ladies room, Chris and Xander find a seat in the crowded café. When we find them again, no one has stopped by to take any order. It doesn't seem like we can order at the counter. This could take a VERY long time and we don't want to linger that long. So, we leave.

Random photo of a cute little car with fall leaves on it (left)
Chris taking a photo of a statue whose head is... in a building? (right)

We head to the Altes Museum (which has a café of its own) and get our tickets. As I asked for two audio tours, I guess my German was good enough that he gave me two audio tours in German. I asked, if they were in English (Sind Sie Englisch?) He looked at me funny, no... did you want English? Ja... ok... he flipped a few switches, and presto, I have two audio tours in English. Duh. Next time I will ask for two in English (makes sense).

The items in this museum are incredible. Most are real, some are plaster replicas, but most are real artifacts (as far as I can tell from the descriptions)... I choose to believe. So they are real! Anyway, cool Greek, Roman, and Etruscan statues, burial items, coins, and jewelry to view.

The Altes Museum (top)
Stonework (left), Artemis or Apollo (middle)
My favourite of the day. Loved how the stone carver created
such a flowing garment on this woman (right)

Some of you have commented on how well we're all traveling. And for the most part, I agree! However, it does takes it's toll on all of us in different ways. We often discuss how Xander, with the smallest stride, must take a lot more steps than the rest of us when we walk all day. The kids get tired of all the walking and standing (as do we adults). You can see them taking a break below.

The kids taking a break at the café (left) and a statue that we thought looked a lot like Trump (right)

After the Altes Museum, we headed to the Berliner Dom (The Berlin Cathedral) to tour the inside. However, when we got to the ticket area, we found out that viewing was limited, due to services being held. Prices were reduced, but not significantly as viewing was reduced. We decided to not go in and to either skip it or wait until we could see the entire inside (on another day). I think the kids (and their feet) were secretly happy we turned around.

Outside of the Berliner Dom

Ok, so it's 5:30. Decision time. Facts: The Festival of Lights begins at 6pm. But that's "mostly dark" and we want to see the lights when it's "really dark". Also, if we wait, we'll be hungry. But if we go eat dinner, then we have to travel to dinner and then back again, as we really want to see the Berliner Dom all lighted up. But, no one's truly hungry yet.

A  beautiful walkway on Museum Island

We decide to head towards a ramen restaurant, via Alexander Platz (for a last minute purchase at the Galleria before the stores close for the weekend). We arrive. We purchase. We leave. And guess what we see as we walk out of the building... more jumpers! Remember, Kuch mag Alex, ich kann fliegen!?  (also remember that Alexander Platz is also commonly called, "Alex".) Anyway, we see that someone has just jumped and we hope there will be another. I get my camera ready.

Do you remember how I got a photo, but not a video? Well, I forgot to mention that when Venice and I came out of the Galleria, we saw another jumper. I readied my camera to take a video.. and damn it. I took photos again. No video. I really don't understand. So, I'm ready this time, with video.

Only... damn it! It's on photo again. How does it keep NOT taking video? My clumsy hands... or Murphy's Law. I don't know. I don't care. I'm just mad that I didn't get video. The good news is that Chris and Xander got to see the jumper. We had explained it a lot, but seeing it in person made them exclaim out loud... it is that impressive of a jump! Ok, on to dinner (as I drag my "disappointed I didn't get the video" self along).

When we arrive at the ramen restaurant, the line is out the door and we are at least 15th in line. Reassess. Chris takes us to a tapas restaurant. There is no line or wait, but all the tables are reserved. We are, again, asked if we can eat within an hour? Of course! Then come on in! Asian tapas! Yum! They are incredibly tasty and very fast. So we have no problem eating quickly.

With our hour up, we hop on a tram and head back to where we were earlier in the day. Back to the Berliner Dom for the Festival of Lights. Guess who's there at the Berliner Dom waiting for us? Hint: See the middle photo below (lighted Segways!)

An "80s" style-laser show on the side of the Galleria (left)
Segways participating in the Festival of Lights (middle)
Humboldt-University Berlin (right)

The Berliner Dom's 12 different views

It amazes me how, if you just go towards the lighted building, it can seem very crowded, almost too many people to move. But if you go just a few yards farther in, you will almost have an unobstructed view. So worth those extra few yards!

Faculty of Law - Humboldt University Berlin

The Palais Am Festungsgraben (a concert hall) had a few colourful landscapes to add to our visual delights. According to the webpage, "In the context of this anniversary, there is another special illumination: With a call for participation, photographs were collected, combined in an artistic collage and projected onto the facade of the Palais am Festungsgraben. With a little bit of luck you might recognise your own picture…"

Palais Am Festungsgraben

And we ended our Festival of Lights at Hotel de Rome, which featured a "far eastern" style (I would call it "Asian").

Hotel de Rome

One of the big projectors used at the
lighted sights. Pretty cool stuff.

There are a few lights we didn't get to. Thats ok. We saw a lot and enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you Festival of Lights! And in Xander's words, "Why don't more cities do this?"

Day 30: Praha Part 1

Our hotel comes with breakfast included. Whoever first decided to do this was probably a parent. One of the hardest things about traveling is figuring out breakfast. You're hungry. You don't know the area. You don't want to spend money on cereal. So, included breakfast is super nice.

The breakfast at our hotel is lovely. All sorts of breads and danish. Cute yogurt in little glass jars with a "yogurt bar" to snazzy it up (honey, jams, fruit). A coffee/espresso machine that will make you an espresso, coffee, cappuccino, and other drinks, at the push of a button (yeah, "fake" drinks, but still, cool to get it at a push of a button!) Eggs, meats, cheeses, and more. Very nice.

The changing of the guard (noon) and
the poor band that aren't as popular.

While the kids were finishing up their meals, Chris went to ask the front desk  how to get to the Pražsky Hrad (the Prague Castle). With several transportation tickets in hand (they are good for 30 min once you validate them), we headed out for the train. Just as we got to the tram stop, we see a tram there. Is it ours? We're not sure. We hesitate, and just as it pulls away, we realise it is our tram and we see how to validate the tickets... but too late. So we wait for the next one.

We take the tram to the transfer stop. And we get on the next tram (same stop). But after a few stops, we realise this new tram is the wrong one (which now makes sense, someone asked if this went to the castle, someone else said, no, the other side). Sigh. We get off our tram, look at Google Maps and figure we can just walk from here. We may or may not make the changing for the guards (that happens at noon and we have about 10 minutes for a 13 minute walk, so who needs a tram anyway?)

Don't smile. Don't sneeze!

As we approach the castle's front gates (using Google Maps a lot to walk the short walk), we see people lined up on either side of the entrance, leaving a path. Just as I say it's probably for the changing of the guard, here they came! About 20 uniformed men with bayonets came marching through the path. They walked through the gates. We looked to one another. Was that it? Many left, so we figured that was it. We proceeded to enter the castle grounds to have a look.

The front entrance to the castle grounds. (top)
Who knows... we decided it was a wishing well (bottom)

St. Vitus Cathedral, immense and impressive with details, stopped us in our tracks. We oogled the building along with the many others. Music (a live band?) played in the background and we enjoyed ourselves. As we made our way around to the next courtyard, doh, we saw that the music we were hearing, was the changing or the guard continuing in grand fashion. At this point, it was almost over, and the crowds were so deep, we couldn't see anything. We were about to stand on part of the cathedral until we saw a guard come over and tell those, already there, to get off. So, the "Entitled American" in me was mad. Why don't they have bleachers so we can all see what's going on? Many had their phones high above their heads to get a look. I tried this too but it didn't work well. Poor Xander, the shortest in the family, could only see the backs of those in front of us. The "Cynic" (or "Survivalist"?) in me figures it was just a stupid march of men in baby-blue suits, who cares. Nothing we can do anyway.

Images of St. Vitus Cathedral of its entrance and its back (from the "square")

More photos around St. Vitus Cathedral and the square. 

To make ourselves feel better, we decide to try to enter the Cathedral (is it free or do you pay?) Chris found the price to climb the tower. OK! And we were off to climb the 287 steps to the top! Side note: When walking up narrow steps in a tight spiral, your inner-right leg gets more tired than the left leg. All the huffing and puffing was worth it. Beautiful views from the top. We got to see the largest bell in the Czech Republic while ascending the steps (along with stained glass and small rooms where priests(?) used to live/work) and, at the top, the mechanism that rings the bells.

Stained glass window you can see while climbing the 287 steps (left)
One of the many bells, but not THE bell (middle)
I enjoyed watching the clock mechanism click the seconds and then ring on the hour (right)

Views from the top of the bell tower on St. Vital Cathedral.

Looking out some windows at the top (top), Zoomed in to see Charles Bridge (left)
See the tiny tower (on left)? That's the Petrín Lookout, we're headed there tomorrow! (right)

After safely returning to ground level, we searched for lunch (using The Lonely Planet travel book) and found a great café (one of many) on the castle grounds (which are enormous!) Today's meal? Schnitzel and goulash. Both very yummy.

lunch restaurant with regional-traditional
dish of goulash (top and left)
Chris bravely ordering trdelniks for the
 kids. See how he captures the attention
of the man behind the counter! (right)

With full tummies (another big meal where I'm leaving overstuffed), we meandered through the gardens of the castle grounds enjoying beautiful view after beautiful view. We also passed a good-looking (if "Amazon-tall") newlywed couple. What a good groom for holding his bride steady. I do not understand how women walk around over all these cobble stone sidewalks without catching a heel in a groove or breaking their leg as they fall sideways. Flat-bottomed shoes are more than sensible, they seem necessary for survival.

The kids enjoyed their first trdelnik (a local treat) and we window shopped as we returned back down the hill. As you walk the "touristy" route, you might be accosted by someone handing out free-samples of their trade. So we tasted free chocolates and free gingerbread. Chris bought some of the chocolates to bring back to his office, but we skipped the gingerbread store (even though the guy handing out free samples was very persuasive... if you don't eat it, it makes a very good decoration!)

It's pretty crowded here, not quite a crowded as Venice, but pretty crowded. It probably helps that it's a little off-season as well as the sidewalks are way wider than the alleys in Venice. Yet, while it's so crowded, we don't have to wait in long lines, tables seems easy to find (although we didn't get the terrace seats we wanted at lunch, but still, we ate outside) and it's just not too bad.

Thank goodness they speak English. We did a quick study on how to say "Thank you" and.... well, that was about it. The Czech language is a slavic language, so nothing at all like German. It sounded a lot (to my untrained ears) like Russian, and some words overlapped, but I guess it's only a distant relation, so I'm not much help here either. But it is confusing when I hear someone say something and it sounds a lot like "Good Morning" in Russian. I find my brain freezes, thinking I can return in Russian, but then remember it's not the same and that German won't work... and by this time, they speak English to me.

Once again, it's good, for us, to have English be the international language (even though it continues to make us feel dumb being a monoglot - look it up, I did!)

Day 29: Travel by Train

Over breakfast, Chris and I did some last minute planning for the weekend. We decided I would skip our morning walk together (a first!) so I could help the kids get ready.

Surprise! We're going to Prague!

There are performers on
the Bahns who play for tips.
This guy and his buddy played
"Oh When the Saints, Go
Marching In". We tipped.

We didn't know, until two days ago. We had been going back and forth on where to go. We had originally thought about Prague. But then we heard (from Chris' coworkers) that it was a very crowded place. We began to think about other places (Copenhagen, Kraków)? But then another conversation with Chris' coworkers uncovered that no, it's not overly crowded in Prague... and by the way, HotelTonight can get us a deal on a family suite in Prague. So, Prague it is!

Chris packed early this morning and left for work with just his backpack. I helped the kids pack. I packed. Then, the kids and I took our backpacks and the two rolling suitcases onto the M tram (and of course, we just missed one, so had to wait another 9 minutes... always stressful when on a tight schedule) then to the S7 Bahn to meet Chris at Hauptbahnhoff (Berlin's main train station).

Side Note: Hauptbahnhof train station is impressive. We had transferred here before, but never had we explored it's depths. The upper-level, where we arrived on the S-Bahn, is covered with beautiful glass windows all around, creating a sparkling, bright atmosphere. This is two levels above ground. The EC 176 train (Euro-rail) platform is located two floors below ground! Chris, having arrived earlier than we did (he didn't miss his train), found and texted the correct platform for us. So, we went down many escalators watching stores, markets, and restaurants go by (at least two Starbucks and two McDonalds). We had no idea it was this big!

Hauptbahnhof (looks like it's smiling... due to distortion of the panoramic photo)

Everyone was excited to travel by train. The kids had never traveled by train. I hadn't done so since... 1988? Train tickets were so cheap, we decided to travel "first class".  €80 per person (round trip!) for first class. Yay! So, yes, please! Our train had the engine car, about 5 regular cars, a food car, and then 1 first class car. We heard that it doesn't ever get full.

Chris figured out that the trains have a "2" on the side if it's "regular" and a "1" if it's first class. He found a digital picture of all the cars and how they were situated so you could know where your car would be. But we just looked at the train as it arrived for the car with the "1" on it. We then figured out the fact that some were reserved (we didn't see this option, next time, we'll try for this). There is a card holder above each section of seats, if there was a card with a name, it was reserved, so we had to search for four seats without reservations. And we found a "Family" set of four together (one set facing forward, one set facing backward with a shared table in the middle). Perfect! And bonus, no security when traveling by train! Take all the 4+ oz liquids you want! Scissors, nail clippers, yes! And no extra luggage cost, just whatever you can hoist above you!

Our car was the last car, which means you can take photos out the back
window when visiting the bathroom (left and middle)
Beautiful countryside speeding by (right)

The ticket-taker (what are they called?) came by after our first stop (the first stop was only 3 km away, so a super short trip) to check our tickets. We joked, if we're on the wrong train, do they just throw you out the window? Well, we don't have to find out, our tickets are good. Phew.

One must entertain oneself during a 4+ hour train ride. Venice read her book (start to finish) but refused to
be photographed reading (it's a sacred time, she says). Well, we snuck a few anyway.

Here's something I never would have thought about traveling by train... it's SUPER quiet. Not like an airplane where you have to turn your headphones all the way up or talk loudly in your neighbour's ear to be heard. No, it's so quiet, you can hear the man in the back snoring. And the mom with her toddler? You can hear her whispering answers to his EVERY question. I don't say this to complain about other people's noises, I really say this because I was so flabbergasted by how quiet it was. And it was a smooth ride too. The seats were comfortable. We all felt super comfy! What a nice way to travel! Of course, I have no idea how it was for the "others" not traveling first class.

Chilling in our seats (left). Taking photos out all the windows (right).

Oh, the BEST thing for the kids? No seat belts! They were super excited about this and were so happy to be able to sit however they wanted to. They also liked that they could get up whenever they wanted to (you can stand while the train stops, starts, heck, you can be in the bathroom while the train is going and stopping). They (mostly Xander) seat-hopped to get the best view when ever he wanted to.

Over 4 hours later, we arrived at our stop in Prague. We got off the train (that was the easy part) and then proceeded to figure out where to go. As we walked through Prague's main station (also large, but it didn't seem as large as Hauptbahnhf), Chris got out Czech korunas (not an easy conversion rate, at least not for me, at 23-ish czk to $1). Next task, to find a taxi. It was kind of hard to find where to go (and yet not hard, there were signs, it just seemed to point us to a darkened-underpass, which seemed creepy).

The main train station in Prague is also beautiful.

A taxi driver approached us as we came out of the station. Asked Chris where we were going. Talked to the driver "in front" and said to us the price. I did a conversion, and I thought it would be about $100. Well, we've paid $80 for our boat-taxi in Venice and $75 in Berlin to get to/from the airport, so I didn't balk at the $100. I thought it was a lot, but figured we had little other choice if we wanted to get to our hotel quickly. And we did get there quickly, in about 10 min. I thought that was the most expensive taxi, but turns out, I did the conversion backwards. It was more like a $12 ride (I had the conversion backwards and I heard the price wrong)... so now I'm thinking, "Damn, that was cheap (or at least correctly priced)!"

Our hotel room is amazing. It has an anterior room with the coffee, small couch and some closets. Then into a room with two twin beds, a chair, a table, and another couch. Then into our "master" room with a king bed, and the bathroom. They even left us macaroons and a bottle of champagne to welcome us! We're not sure why it was there for us... does everyone get one? Or did they know it was us (and by us, I mean Chris from HotelTonight?) Either way, what a nice welcome!

Xander in the lobby (left) and our "treats" waiting for us in our room (right)

The bad news is that our phones may be in trouble again. AT&T sent messages of overage. Chris did an online chat to figure out what's going on. Our plan ends in two days, so we're not sure why I'm getting messages that indicate I am not on the international plan. Turns out, I am, but it's just a warning. So Chris asks them to up the limit before sending a warning alert. And, he renews our plans so that there will be no gap in service. Should be all fine (foreshadow alert).

Where does one go for dinner their first night in Prague? An Argentinian restaurant, of course! It was in short walking distance and reported to have good food (so says our hotel staff). It was delicious. I think, a first meal in a long time, where I left in "pain" from eating too much. Yum.

Everyone gets an iPad to view the digital menu! (left) and We like the Coke bottles here (right)
We later came to find that it's not "Share a Coke with..." like in America, instead it's, "Kiss...."
and the "name" on this bottle isn't a name, but just "guy". So, Kiss a guy. Hmm, ok.

Off to bed with happy tummies!


P.S. We're rich!

In reality, less than $150.