So the adventure has begun.  Actually we are about two days in.  Ruthie and I left DFW Wednesday afternoon at 1500 and enjoyed a lovely flight to AMS (A320 for those interested in such things) where we enjoyed a less lovely 5 hour layover and finally arrived PRG (Fokker 100) around 1500. 

We have been walking for a day and a half, summitted several bell towers and climbed the long staircase to Prague Castle.  We have seen the famous astronomical clock, Old Town, New Town, the Old New Synagogue built in the 13^th century and the Dancing Building.  We have crossed St. Charles Bridge and enjoyed a Pilsner Urquell brewed right here in the Czech Republic. 

We were conducting our own early morning self guided tour of Prague Castle before it opened to the public when a Security guard, probably intending to toss us out, gave up when he realized that we could not understand a word he said, and started showing us around instead.  It was the best grunting and pointing tour we had all day.  It was not until later that we realized you needed tickets for that part of the castle.  But we have been operating on the “the door’s open and no one has stopped us” plan.   So far we have not been successfully tossed out, arrested, ticketed or fined.

The weather has been cool but not cold and quite overcast.  We had rain this morning but fortunately it stopped before we were ready to head out bright and early.

We are now on the train heading south for Budapest.  We have left the Prague Station and will be 9 hours in a sleeper car on the overnight train.  Since we have been up since 4 this morning, I anticipate we will be sleeping soundly before long.

Jon and Karen will be meeting us tomorrow.  We haven’t seen Karen since Vegas and Jon since Antarctica so it will be great to spend the next few days with them.