Thursday, September 28, 2006
A Cobblestone Type of Hell

Just a quick update before I go to bed- we have a very early morning tomorrow for our trip to Karlstejn...

For the record, I have learned I cannot under any circumstances ever visit another city that is paved solely in cobblestone.

Yesterday, I hurt so much, I thought I was going to just sit down in the street and cry. Has anyone ever tried to walk on streets of these things? Downhill? Uphill? They are murder on the joints, the back, knees, hips, everything. I feel like everything from the neck down is dislocated. My bottle of painkillers? Nearly finished. I can usually suck up a certain amount of pain if I have to because I've always had to, but this has really pushed me to my limits. They say Prague is a walking city. I have been able to walk about half my normal amount here because there is no steady, even ground anywhere in the city center, and I have to be wary of eating it on the sidewalk at ALL TIMES. If I look up for a second, that "thunk" you hear is me falling flat on my face. I've learned to hold onto the sides of buildings when I go anywhere. It is even taxing to several memebers of our group who are in better health. They are tired and whiny and they have blisters. So, I'm not the only one.

Ah, but lest my whining make it sound like Prague is some sort of Cobblestone Purgatory (which...yeah.), I will say that overall, I have had a fabulous time so far. Prague truly is one of the most beautiful cities- it puts London to shame and then some. Everything about it makes you want to take pictures, and there's no shortage of interesting things. Yesterday, I went to the very top of a clock tower that was so tall I had to look at the floor at one point to keep from hyperventilating. And they have horses! Sweet.

Today I visited a Jewish Graveyard that is over 700 years old. There are people buried 12 DEEP there. Prague has an amazingly picturesque Jewish Quarter. I had no idea. Also, shiny jewelry! Yay! I love shiny things. I ate in the only Chinese restaurant in the Jewish Quarter. It was good. And in Prague there is beer. Lots and lots and lots of beer.

I'll save my stories of the rest of my trip for another day, probably when I get home.

Saturday, September 23, 2006
In London

I'm here.
A few notes:
Paris Hilton cut in front of me at the security checkpoint.
The flight was short; only 9.5 hours
London is surreal as I remember it to be. I can't wait to explore tomorrow.
I've had a great time so far. We've had dinner and beer, and i've had a nap.
That's all for now. Probably until I get back.

Friday, September 22, 2006
You can't take it with you

Amazingly, I think I'm all packed and ready to go. The last errand is to get to the bank. I have a record small piece of carryon baggage, as I've decided lighter is better for me. Just the essentials. Oh, and some Sudoku books and knitting. I don't think I have any sort of liquid in my carryon. I know more about the TSA and UK guidelines than I do about Prague, as of now.

I have to schlep my things to Paul's via the Heathrow Express and then take a cab to his area of the city. I'm hoping that I can manage this by myself. I'm also hoping I get an aisle seat, as the unlucky person to sit next to me would have to deal with getting up quite a lot during our 10-hour journey across the world.


So, surreal as it seems, I'm gone! Goodbye, USA. See you in awhile.

Thursday, September 21, 2006
Restaurant

This is where we are having dinner our last night in Prague

Our Hotel

This is our hotel in Prague.

Day Trip

We are taking a day trip to Karlstejn, which if you ask me, looks pretty damn impressive.

Monday, September 18, 2006
The To-Do List

I feel like the things to do before I leave are piling up, and that I have to really accomplish a lot if i'm going to get it all done. It's pretty overwhelming! I'm sure I'm making it harder than it needs to be (in true form), but that's what happens when I have so many things to do...and almost no motivation.

• New Shoes
• Dryclean black coat
• clean room
• laundry
• get car mess straightened out (talk to insurance companies, etc.)
• Meet all deadlines at work
• Lesson plan for two more lessons after the two I planned for this week

Oh, and then of course there's the packing and the making sure that I haven't left anything behind (including my mind).

Argh. I hate the week before I leave the country. It never fails to just fray my nerves (as if they aren't bad enough).

Friday, September 15, 2006
The Itinerary

• Friday, Sept. 22nd- LA International (LAX) to London Heathrow (LHR).
• Saturday, Sept 23rd- Arrive in London, UK
• Saturday p.m.-Tuesday, Sept 26th- Stay with Paul.
• Do lots of touristy things
• Have fun
  
• Monday, Sept 25th -See London preview of "Wicked" at the Apollo Victoria

• Tuesday, September 26th- Go to Prague, Czech Republic
• Wednesday, Sept 27th- Guided tour of the city
• Dinner at Olympia
• Friday, Sept 29th-Trip to Karlstejn
• Saturday, Sept 30th- Dinner at Mlynec
• Sunday, Oct 1st- Return to LA via LHR.