Prague, the good, the bad and the ugly

First, I want to make a disclaimer: While it may appear from words I may write that I'm a grumpy curmudgeon about my lot in life, I'm realistic about my physical limitations and not upset about any tourista restrictions I face. I can't walk far, I have to miss lots unless Steve and I rent a tandem AND I DON'T CARE! I came with Steve to be with him when he is not at work. And I WILL have many new and great adventures and experiences.


So, after a wonderful time with our 18 month old in Pittsburgh and a rockin' 42nd mini-h.s. reunion, we arrived in Prague yesterday afternoon. All went very well on flights from NY (LGA) to Atlanta and then on our non-stop from there to Prague we had to go straight back up thru NY to get over the ocean to Prague! Seems like a silly waste of time but we were on Delta and Atlanta is their hub. Got to our hotel, , Steve took a nap for 2 hours and then took off for the office. I tottered out for a look-see. This hotel is in a different location than last spring's hotel (near Fred and Ginger, remember?) so I'm trying to get my bearings. The hotel entrance, inside, is all jagged cobblestone s, my nemesis! Steve thinks it must originally have been a driveway? Outside, more nemmies. I must befriend them, so will call them nemmies instead of nemesis. The sidewalks are smaller, walkable cobblestones. The cobbles on the streets, where you have to cross, are all just about the size of my feet, so unless I step very carefully, I slip in between the cracks, arrrgh. This makes for too cautious crossings, looking down the whole while. Mind you, I am not complaining, just trying to give you a picture of my time. I walked along a street, tried out a few shops and promptly fell off a step I didn't see. Two very nice young couples came to my rescue, picked up my cane and were very sweet, making sure i was on my feet before leaving. I was mortified.

Came back to the hotel, where I spent the rest of the day until Steve came home after work. We went across the street to a resturacea/bar with good reviews online. ICK! It was small and the hostess LITERALLY chain-smoked the whole the time. But the duck was FABULOUS!!! And made up for our ashtray aromas.

Then we walked to a brand new HUGE mall with many, many $$$$$ boutiques (I recognize the names but haven't had the chance to be in most of them!), trendy and less costly C&A and H&M, and Marks and Spencer, a Brit institution like Macys. We were mainly looking for a toilet and Steve's not more than a window shoppper, if that. Came back for a game of snooker on the telly.

Today I again walked out, decided NOT to look down at my damn feet and promptly tripped into a "chasm!" I decided to watch where I walk and enjoy the beautiful and OLD stones. I am fortunate that my hotel has wireless in the rooms and I can write and Google myself senseless.