Greetings from Praha

As it happens, our hotel in Prague has a free computer with internet for guest. So while I'm taking a break I thought I would include a quick post on observations on Prague:

1) Prague really is the jewel of Eastern Europe. It's absolutely beautiful in a picture postcard, almost Disneyland sort of way. It hardly seems real.

2) With that being said, Prague in summer reminds me a bit of the Las Vegas strip. No one you meet here is from here, and everyone is involved -- in some form or another -- in an outfit or scheme to take your money. All the locals who don't have to be here have fled.

3) Prague is no longer the inexpensive city of Europe. With the current exchange rate, 1 dollar buys you 20 Koruna, and as a result, most things are just as expensive here as they are in the US. Now, given the general ass-kicking the dollar is getting against the pound and the Euro, I guess it is less expensive, but I wouldn't call it a bargain by any means.

4) People here are very friendly -- much more so than in Vienna. Also, everything is in both Czech and English, but very few people speak Czech. It's nice, but also takes away from the 'local' experience.

5) The beer here is great, and by far the cheapest and best value. A half-liter of Pilsner will cost you about a dollar and twenty cents. It's awesome.

6) Holy moley is it hot here right now. Today it's been about 95 degrees, and no escape anywhere. I know I won't get much sympathy from the folks back home, because the news says it is pretty brutal over there too. Sorry guys, I feel your pain.

7) Cobblestones are pretty and romantic, but man they can make your body ache after walking on them all day long. My feet hurt, and even my lower back is a mess. But it's totally worth it!

8) For an interesting set of contrasts, today we went to the Prague Castle (incredible views over Prague), and the St. Vitus Cathedral (don't tell the Viennese, but I find it more impressive than Stephansdom), the Mucha museum (lovely graphic art), and finished it off with a visit to the Museum of Communism in Prague. Surprisingly interesting and informative -- it was recommended by a friend. As a big f-you to Lenin, it's housed above a McDonalds, which they proudly proclaim in their advertising. We're finishing our day with a walking tour of Haunted Prague tonight.

9) Speaking of McDonald's, I have seen more Mickey D's and KFC's in the Old and New Town of Prague than anywhere else in Europe in my life. And they are always packed. I saw that KFC now has a 'Quirrito,' which looks a cross between a quesadilla and burrito with fried chicken inside. Eeeeewwww. But man, when they embraced capitalism, they really embraced fast food.

10) UPDATED: For the past four days Todd has been singing the 'Good King Wenceslas' Christmas carol every day because it came from Prague. It's been fantastic.

11) Prague is officially the place for British men to come to have their bachelor party. They're all here, and none of them wear shirts -- or sometimes -- pants.

I've got to get going, but love to you all, and hopefully I'll have a chance to post more in the future!