Praque - continuing the journey

Well, I thought I would experiment with a blog. I have never done anything like this so it might be fun.

Today is a rainy day in jolly ole England. I was planning on an early walk through the "Green" this morning but rain forced me to the office where I sit now. I still don't have broadband at home so anything internet needs to be done at the office. Just returned from a seminar in Praque. Very good seminar on Marketing. Good quality speakers, interesting people and a lovely venue. For the "Gala" dinner they took us to a 16th century building called the "New Town Hall" as apposed to the old town hall built in the 1400's. The significant fact about this building was that it was where 8 Roman Catholic politicians were thrown out of the window by their protestant comrades over the killing of one their own collegues. It signaled the beginning of protestant rule for many years to come.

The building itself was beautiful. Gorgeous high ceilings supported by arched shape beams of amazing wood. A zig-zag set of stairs led you through the bell tower to the roof where you could see all of Praque. The stairs were constructed with sturdy wooden posts that actually supported the bell as well. Incredible to think that we were ploding up these stairs, women in high heels, men in suits, on stairs built in the 1600's. They were not crickety or loose or dangerous. The walk up was worth it!

During the dinner, set in the main room, a string quartet played, dressed like Mozart... wigs and all! Then, in between courses we were entertained by two opera singers, costumed and wigged as well... Wonderful! And... the food and service were good as well...

Wow, who would ever have thought last year at this time that I would be sitting in a 16th century building, enjoying dinner with strangers. Last year at this time I was dressed in Red and Black, enjoying (well, trying to) watching my son play football in a stadium in Arkansas... Life is a wonder!!

Signing off for today... Love to all, hope you enjoy.

Here are copies of the emails I sent before:

Update: 18-Oct-2006

The sun was shining, my little cottage was clean, put together, grocery shopping done, laundry complete, timers on lights, all signs of unpacking gone... and off the two little helpers went. Mom and Steph left this morning.
I will miss them, we have had a lot of fun. On Saturday night we really experienced the "City of Lights.." first, our tour guide, Herve, drove us through the streets of Paris like he was driving a scooter, not a 9 passenger van. All the time he is talking to us in the back seat, and looking right at us!! Ohhhh we had quite a night! Off to the Eiffel Tower for dinner where we were treated to Foi Graz (according to Herve, the best in Paris), another wonderful bottle of Bordeaux and a fantastic view... We were instructed by Herve to walk to the tour boat across the road for our night tour of the Seine... unbelievable! After the tour, Herve was waiting and off we went to the "Red Light" district as Herve pointed out...(where he was raised, of course) to the Moulin Rouge... Through streets no wider than a handicap hallway, Herve drove (sort of) and talked, looking at us, in the back seat, the whole way. He spoke Spanish to the girls in the "way" back and English to us...and French to everyone who got in his way... Mom is laughing and holding on the whole time. Steph and I put our hands up saying... "Party, Party..." We took in the Moulin Rouge 11:30pm show, bottle of Champagne and all... It was quite a show... two hours of skinny, topless incredible dancers. Mom never even nodded off. Good times... The next day we did two hours in the Louvre. Mom saw the Mona Lisa, the Venus, the Winged whatever and the Egyptian exhibit, then we wanted to get back to the exit... easier than it sounds... Between Mom and I we felt like we were never going to get out of there, but 45 minutes later we came out to the light of the Pyramid and hooked up with Stephanie who had chosen to go off on her own. We were happy with our Paris visit. We caught the 5pm train and off we went to London... Delightful!!
This afternoon I boarded a plane to Prague. Tonight I walked through the amazing city, admiring the beautiful buildings, bridges and statues. In contrast to Paris, the lights are subtle, strategically placed to enhance the fairy tale atmosphere of the place. Religious reminders are everywhere. I touched a statue on the famous Charles bridge and made a wish... customary for tourists. In front of me was a small woman who touched the statue, made the sign of the cross and said something in a language I didn't understand while crying. My wish wasn't so serious but it did make me think about customs and how people need things like that to give them hope that things will get better. We all hope for that, really.

Anyway, off to bed.

Update: 13-October-2006

Just to keep you posted... We are now in Paris. Trip on the train was great, we went business class so we had Champagne, lunch and very comfortable seats. We arrived about 5pm, right at "rush hour"... lots of noise, lots of people, horns honking, buses everywhere... We are staying in an area near the Opera House, at a very French style hotel with colorful vines decorating the Louis 1VX style entrance . Hotel Westminster sits next to, and above, the Cartier store that is guarded by armed security, so you know Dolores is in seventh heaven. All the big jewelry stores are in the area and she just keeps saying, "Oh my God!".... We walked to the park that leads to the Louvre and sat by a fountain while Steph smoked a cigarette and we watched the Effiel Tower start to light up. We then walked back to the area around our hotel and had a drink outside, watching the crowds go by then went inside for a typical French dinner at the Grand Cafe. Started with champagne and enjoyed a nice Bordeaux with dinner. We walked back to our hotel and are now getting ready for bed. There are two French doors that open up to a small balcony overlooking the alley near the hotel that is filled with stores, a few bars and the "American Bar" restaurant... It really is a great location. Tomorrow we will do a tour and try to get started on the Louvre... it will take two trips, I am sure.
Mom is a trooper, yesterday she went with the girls to Bath, walked all around (a two hour drive both ways), they picked me up from work and the six of us crammed into my little clown car that is really only supposed to hold five and drove to Windsor where we attended a play called ..."Elvis, Viva Las Vegas.." We walked up to Windsor theater which was a good mile from where my Windsor apartment is. The play lasted almost two and one half hours, where we were all up dancing and singing. Yes, it was unbelievable, you almost thought that Elvis is alive!!! It was great fun! We then went to an Italian restaurant near the theater and walked back to the apartment where the car was parked. Another mile... It was 12:30pm before we got her home, she never complained...even when we got lost on our way home trying to find a gas station!
She is asleep now... but we know she will be up early, getting us out to tour!
Ok, update over.

PS: I don't have internet at home but we do in this hotel, hence I am able to send this. I will do my best to keep you updated.

Love you all.


Update: 12-October 2006

Well, my mom and I had a very uneventful flight to the UK on Friday. She did very well. Neither of us slept much but we weren't too terribly uncomfortable.. When we arrived at the new house we were surprised to find that the most wonderful daughter in the world had unpacked all the boxes and had placed all the furniture! My favorite bed was all set up and so was the guest bed. We both took naps and pretty much lost most of the day on Saturday. On Sunday we got up late and barely made it to the Homebase Store (Home Depot type store) before it closed at 4pm... to pick up a few things like a broom, light bulbs, picture hangers, etc. We also walked through Marlow, walked along the river and enjoyed a Starbucks coffee. We had a nice dinner at home. As we were finishing, I was blabbing and complaining about Steve not going to the doctors and saying how mad I still was, when out of no where, a picture falls off its perch on the table, knocks over the very nice Cabernet we were sharing and spills red wine all over the white carpet. As I was cleaning this up, "Knock, knock, knock'in on Heaven's Door" starting playing on Steve's IPOD.... Mom said it was a sign that I have to stop saying I am mad... RRR, even from the grave.... Anyway, it was weird...
On Monday I went off to work. While I was gone my two fantastic helpers put up all the pictures, filled the bookcases and went grocery shopping. You would think I have lived there for years! We are getting used to the one bathroom thing, (even hard with just three people). Mom has been sleeping well and getting used the BBC news. It rained the past two days so we couldn't really walk, but on Saturday we took a great walk around the area, saw lots of birds, people walking their dogs, people riding horses and saw some beautiful homes.
Yesterday our friends the Scarborough's (Lindsay, Karina and mother Karen) arrived. They are staying in the apartment I have in Windsor because I have it until Oct 15. They came over for dinner last night and we had a great time. Steph is really getting around. She gets a little lost, but is pretty used to driving on the "other" side. She was able to pick them up and bring them back to Windsor. It is about a 15 min drive from my house.
Today, Thursday, Steph and Mom took the girls to Bath. It is supposedly a really cool place to go. They are having a great time. Tonight we are going to play in Windsor, "This is Elvis" should be fun..
Tomorrow Steph and Mom and I are taking the train to Paris for the weekend. I will fill you in on Monday on how that goes. We plan to explore the museums, eat good food and drink good wine... (Mom will have Scotch...)
Both my mom and Steph have really been a tremendous help. I couldn't have done it all myself!! I really am such a lucky person.
We have a home phone, 011 44 1628 776670.. Yes, all those numbers. Please call if you feel like it. Remember we are 8 hours ahead of you.
Sorry I have been remiss in communicating... it has just been a whirlwind!! We haven't been able to download pictures because my computer blew. Will send/post some soon.
Love and miss you all. Kathi