Day 8

So, Barrry wanted to start of with a pretty picture...so here is the castle!!!! (and my even more beautiful wife!) What you are really about to see our adventures at Zoo Praha!!! There was a sign there that said Prague's Zoo was #7 in the world according to Forbes Magazine, pretty impressive, so we had high hopes. I think you will be pleased as well. By the way, we miss you all!!!! And another side note, as we are blogging Barry and I are trying basically everything we bought at the grocery store hehe. Currently, the pudding, it is okay. We did buy a huge 8 pack of .5L Kozel, which we discovered at the zoo was probably our favorite beer so far....ok time to get started!!!

This is backwards a little bit because here we were waiting for our tram to go home at the end of our big day at the zoo! Now for some more chronological photos... B - I just thought we needed to start this blog with a bang. I could have kicked her off with a picture of a porcupine, like below, but it just wasn't quite as eye catching. I hope me (Barry) interrupting doesn't confuse anyone during the course of the blog. Alli wrote first and now I just wanted to add a few little quips.

Isn't he sweet??? This is one of the first animals we saw, a little porky pine, they were surprisingly cute, cuddly, and active!! I bet you didn't know they were tree huggers! Porcupines are the animal kingdoms equivalent of hippies. I was going to take a pic of the other Pines but they were using illegal drugs and playing citars. Somethings are just not proper to put in a blog.

A Komodo Dragon!!! I don't know about you all, but we had never seen one of these guys, pretty cool, and kind of creepy (this is Alli of course). After we saw him we had to walk through these hanging things into the "twilight zone." I got kind of freaked out, and for good reason, it was so dark and it was all bats, ick!!! Then, worst of all (for me, maybe best for Barry)....one of the last exhibits in the twilight zone was glassLESS!!! YES!!! AHHHH!!! It was awful, I stood bravely for about 10 seconds before I basically got attacked, yes one flew right out at me!!!! It was so scary!!! Needless to say I have never run faster from Barry in my life, he soon caught up with me out of the twilight zone, phew!!!

This cute little polar bear, well big polar bear, was NOT a happy camper!!! He was the only one in his or her? exhibit and he was pacing back and forth furiously! He kept going up to one of the little feeding places and banging with his paws against the walls, we think he was hungry. We watched for a while, and then as we left we still could hear the outraged polar bear banging against that wall...I hope they fed the poor guy eventually!!!

This is a cute cute little river otter!!! Any of you have seen otters, know how much fun they are too watch-so playful!!! And of course this little guy reminded us of some family back home...
Twinkies!!!!

This is some kind of squirrel, he was very photogenic and let Barry take a lot of up close and personal snaps! He loves nuts!!!!!!!

Here I am enjoying some of our newly found beer, Kozel. It is very yummy. Cool you can drink at the zoo, huh??? Kozel is popular with the locals according to Barry ( I don't know where he gets all of his information)...and is manufactured outside of Prague somewhere. Yum-o!

Time to chill!!! This guy had one too many Kozels, or maybe just the right amount???

Aww...the giraffe exhibit was beautiful!!! Here is one of the little guys, adorable! We could look at these guys from above and enjoy a pretty view, or we could go down on their level and watch them too. There were also zebras in this exhibit and some kind of antelope!

Zoo Praha puts their cats in small cages inside like normally the snakes and stuff are...so you go inside and walk through and between you and the glass is a big cat! The lion as you can see snubbed us! But, was enjoying a yummy piece of raw meat-sick! Just wanted to put the lion in because I promised lions, tiers, and no bears the other day. Didn't want you to think I was a liar.

Roar!!! This gorgeous cat was pacing and posing, so pretty.

Alright, all you monkey lovers (AKA LOU!) This might have been the cutest baby gorilla ever. Here he is riding on his mama's back, just precious! A woman was talking at this exhibit all about these fun gorillas, unfortunately we didn't learn a darn thing except that Czech is especially hard to pick up. We can't even remember how to say see you later at the end of every post haha!

Snack/Lunch time!!! We got some yummy sausage, with mustard (which is quite delicious here I must say), bread, and horse radish!!! It was great and hit the spot!

These hippos were pretty awesome, we got to see them at feeding time (we hit a lot of feeding times and we didn't even try to, it was great!). He looks kind of harmless here, but just wait...

Ahh! There is the Hungry Hungry Hippo we all know!!! One guy was on the land, and the other two were side by side, and would open their huge mouths and wait for the guy to toss a small bite of apple in their mouth. Then they didn't really chew or anything, just kept opening their mouth. If you look hard enough, you can see some reddish greenish apple piling up in his mouth. Aren't their eyeballs kind of funny too?? They were very interesting to watch. They are so dangerous though, look at those teeth!

Here is my ALLIgator!!! Pretty cool, they weren't big ones, about 4 or 5 feet maybe.

Here I am again (Barry had the camera pretty much all day at the zoo). This is a yummy yummy snack. It is kind of vanilla-y, very sweet, crunchy, papery, just real different, but satisfyingly delicious. We each had one, Barry ate his around and around so he ended up with a little circle in the end, I just chowed down!

Barry really enjoyed this Tapir. By the way, on the way to the zoo, which we got to by tram then subway then bus, I totally had "we're going to the zoo zoo zoo..." stuck in my head. Makes me miss my baby sis!!! The reason I enjoyed the Tapir was because when we were in Honduras we saw a man with a Tapir on a leash and it was one of the funniest things I had ever seen. Alli obviously doesn't remember though. Must have been too busy thinking about me that whole trip. PS. funny little side story. When we went to the grocery store today, Alli told me that when we get married I have to like going to the grocery store. And I was like when we what? Then she was like, I mean when we're home. She totally forgot we were married!!!!! Lol!

Ohhhh the elephants. These guys were great. They were our last stop and we had had a few Kozels, and they were just so fun. They danced!!! Yes that is right we saw dancing elephants. We watched them for a good 20 minutes and the whole time all three of them bobbed their heads up and down to a beat. It was hilarious!

YAY!!! I finally got to take a pick, Barry is happy to be in good company of me and the elephants of course!

Sweeties!!! They were loving on each other while they danced, so cute!

Don't worry. I got the dancing evidence on tape for you all to see. I am a pretty amazing movie taker, I give Barry a run for his money for sure. Like my scarf Jessi???? ;)

So we headed for "Jenna and Glenn's" place before we got on the tram to go home. We enjoyed the sunset, and actually ordered a lot of food!!! I guess we worked up an appetite after all that zooing. So here is a pick of goulash!!! The white thing is a dumpling, we prefer the hairy dumplings over this one, but they're main purpose is for sopping up all that juice. I am not a huge goulash fan, but it definitely isn't bad!

This is the beautiful pic Barry captured. He wants to paint it, wants me to, Jessi to, just everybody to paint it. We like that the focus is on that little fisherman amidst the beautiful castle and sunset.

Here is my favorite picture I took...I love the castle haha!!! It really doesn't get old to look at, hope the pics aren't getting old on the blaha either.

Alas!!! We trusted somebody with the camera. We felt safe since we were in a restaurant, and we think we looked him up and down and decided we could out run him!!! Anyways, he was very nice, and offered, and we are glad we have this lovely honeymoon pic of the two of us happy at sunset. Love you all!!
Na Videnou!

PS I am nervous about lack of showering next week when we head out of Czech Republic.
PPS While I wrote this blog Barry was making me do all these strange things like tap my foot to the Louis Armstrong we are listening too, and demanding me to type (which I am doing?) all while he is taking movies...lol high maintenance for sure!!!
PPPS We have tried the bread, pudding, twix, and cinniminnis from our grocery store trip so far!!! Hehe!

Day 7

They lost. I still can't get over the fact that those darn Turks stole all of the Czech Republics glory. No matter how amazing of a win it was, there was just no reason for them to have done that. The people of Prague were so very glum today, and I couldn't help feel sad. Better luck next EuroCup, and maybe even the World Cup. Crossing our fingers! I really want to get a Czech national jacket, they are really cool, but they are kinda expensive. If you think I should get one let me know, and then I'll make a decision. Here's what it looks like. Never mind, I couldn't find it. So, here's an Alli!

Deep in thought Allis are the number one best. What do you think she is sooooooo concentrated on? I know, I know! Planning for our little Eurotrips! Which brings me to what we did pretty much all day. Today we took our first trips on the prahaian subway and got a 1 month pass for all public transportation. The passes are really cool and we had been trying to get one for the past 4 days but they make it hard. For one, you have to be able to speak czech, which we can't, and they don't really like to take the time to help. The people at the pass stations are all very short with us and we think they must hate their lives. They gave us a sheet to fill out and wouldn't answer any questions about it. Eventually we found out that we needed our passports and a small picture of each of us. Luckily, we copied our passports, so getting the pictures was easy enough. We still couldn't fill out the form though because we don't speak their stinkin language. But, eventually we went to the booth and we found a very caring and helpful soul who didn't make us fill out the form and just gave us the passes. Now we can go anywhere we want, and we got a cool little pass keepsake to boot. We also went to the train station and spent a couple of hours there just figuring out how it all works. We now understand the Eurail pass and how to navigate a train station! Now we can finally plan some things!

Alli planning! The book she has is the timetable for all trains in Europe. With this we can make our little trips flawless but still have room to be flexible and to do whatever we want! We are planning for 3 trips as of now. 1 short guy to get us more accustomed with how things are going to work and then 2 bigger ones.

Here's what we are thinking to do on our first little trip Monday.
Praha-Berlin-Hamburg-Stockholm-Copenhagen-Munich-Praha!
It looks like a lot, but it will only be a nice little four day trip. Just something so we can get our feet wet so when we go on the Italy tour and then the Paris tour we will be well prepared!

Time to go home after a long day! Hey, that tram can't take us home! That's the cafe Tramvaj where we sat and planned, and/or Alli planned for the greater part of the day. Sorry for the lack of pics today, planning isn't all that exciting to photograph, except of course when it's Alli doing the planning, and it was, so I guess I should have snapped a few more. Sorry again, but we also went and saw a movie. My Blueberry Nights was the title and it was a great little movie. I suggest you all go and see it. Tomorrow, I promise, will be more exciting, so stay tuned and be prepared for lions and tigers and bears, but actually not any bears because this zoo doesn't have any.
Na videnou!

Day 6

Mic czecha 1 . 2 ..... Mic czecha. Is there anybody out there? What up all? So, today we went to the castle. Prague castle is the building on the hill that you have probably seen in everyone of our posts up to this date. Look here's a look at day 3!

So up and away we went to see this little city upon a hill. And when I say up, I mean up. I had a heavy back pack on and it wasn't all that easy.

Here's Alli though with no back pack at all. All she has to carry is that cute new sweater she got from H&M and to wear her new turtleneck. I'm not complaining though. As long as she's happy, I'm happy!!!!!!!! Praha, Praha!!!


Here's a stunning little view from the almost top if the hill. I forget what that dome is but the thing in the background is the TV tower. Only in Prague, lol. I guess the idea of a giant television tower doesn't seem too appealing, but the tower is actually kinda cool. For one, it's the tallest tower in prague and has an observation deck with the best view of the city. Cool, I guess. And, 2nd, there's a restaurant in the top! Doesn't get much better than that. Oh, and did I tell you that it also delivers quality television pictures to every home in Prague?????? Right when you thought it couldn't get better, it did! Buy one now, and we'll send you a second free! takes 2 - 12 weeks for delivery - 99.99 s&h

Sorry bout that. Look at me looking! I wonder what I see. Oh, those are my H&M glasses. I couldn't let Alli be the only one to have any fun.

Here's a look down the hill. From, once again, the almost top.

More roadage. Wasn't sure if you got to see them enough back home.

OMG. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I probably wasn't thinking that, but this fantastic pic that my beautiful wife took sure makes it look like I was.

Take a look from my point of view. Maybe I was thinking that. Oh, this is St. Vitus' cathedral. It's the thing that is most recognizable from afar. The church was founded in the 1300s and I think it took a couple hundred years to complete. I might be making that up, but I think it is more interesting that way.

This is the entrance into the main courtyard of the castle. Once again, I think it is, but I can never be entirely certain. there are three courtyards and I don't really know which is the main one, but this one is kinda a cool one, and if I was a bohemian king, I would call this one my main co yard. I call it that because court yard isn't as cool. Also, check out those two dudes killing those other two dudes. That's why you don't mess with the central east side, throw 'em up!

Alle, Alle auch sind frei! What a site. Let's see what else she sees.

This

and this

and this! Here is the changing of the guard. They change the guard everyday at noon with no celebration, but on Sundays they party! Everybody comes and marches around in a straight line and trumpets honk whilst some other blue uniformed soldia stands and yells things. It doesn't sound that cool, but it was a lot of fun to see these guys march around for a few. They make me giggle. I think the guards probably wish they were guarding Buckingham, because at least there they get to wear cool hats. These cats just get to wear silly blue hats and those ridiculous red, blue, and white arm thingys.

Cool guns! I like the pointy knifes at the ends!

This is where we sat and thought about things for quite some time. I took pictures of Alli. When we get back there will be hundreds to see. Here's Alli!
This is me writing in my journal on a bench facing the Vlatava on the other side of the castle. We do this a lot, sit, and I usually write and Barry takes pics. It is so pleasant!
Back to Barry for a moment. . . . .
She said what I said. LOL!

This is Eurofest!!! We only stayed for a little while, but held out strong most of the day. The game didn't start until 8:45, we left after about half an hour, and then they scored. We passed a taxi cab driver who went "yessss!" so that is how we knew. Then at home in our apartment we heard loud screams, and "goooooaaallllll" from all across the neighborhood, so we figured it must be 2-0....Then at sometime in the night Barry says we woke up to more screams, he says I did too, but I don't remember...Anyways these were screams of agony and defeat. Apparently it was one of the greatest comebacks ever!!! Back to Barry.......
factoid* The Turks scored two goals in the final three minutes to seal the come from behind win.
Something you don't very well see in your everyday football match.

This is a pick from the back of our tram on the way home! Apartment pics to follow!!!! We have to keep you coming back for something.
Na videnou!

Day 5

Sorry it took a while to get this up here, but it does take some time. Before we begin I would like to make it known that we appreciate the comments, encourage questions, and miss and love everyone dearly! So read on, and leave us some love!!!
On this day we set out to get a renewed tram pass and enjoy Wenceslas Square. So here is the story of the trip a long the way and the rest of the day!


This is a picture of Barry, it is proof that he ate the last of the fruit snacks, and did not share. Bringing snacks that we bought at Target before the plane ride was one of the smartest best decisions we have ever made. Thanks to Diane for advising us to do so. I only wish we would have smuggled more!!!

This is Joe Schmoe. Just to remind you of the zillions of things we see here that we actually have no idea what they are, but we still get to look at and enjoy!


This was a park we found along the way that had this cool tree and pretty flowers which I love taking pictures of as many of you know!

What is that? I'll tell you what it is. It's some great park art! Must have been a big spider, because in that web there is a little man. Thought it was cool. No? Ok.

This is a fountain with benches and a beautiful church we think...


We thought this was kind of strange??? I am guessing it is yesterdays bread or last weeks haha and they set it out for homeless people to eat. If we eat at this restaurant we know our food will be fresh!

This was the sweet bakery, that was pretty cheap too. I got some kind of strawberry danish, and Barry got some layered thing. Both were pretty yummy...but what was really cool was...

This awesome machine that we just put 10 crowns in and a cup drops down and it starts filling up your espresso!!! I actually had a latte and it was surprisingly delicious. We had seen people walking around with these brown cups, and now we can too!

Ok Mom, brace yourself. This was the longest escalator ever. I don't know if you can quite see it from the pics, but it even freaked me out a little!!! Sorry for the unfortunate pic.
The National Museum in Wenceslas Square! See where the people are gathered in the middle? That statue there is Wenceslas. He was the ruler back in the day but his brother really didn't like him. So, long story short, he killed. Some years later, Wenceslas was canonized! Now he's everywhere, and I'm sure he loves it. Also, where those folks are gathering is the memorial of Jan Palach. JSYK, Wenceslas Square was where the Nazis held rallies during their occupation and also where the Commies set up. At one time there were signs that read Red Army Square, but not after January 16, 1969. After that, it was known as Jan Palach square.

Here is Barry and me at Wenceslas Square. You can barely see the stature to the left of Barry's head.

This is one of only a few pictures from inside the H&M and Wenceslas Square. They asked Barry to stop taking pictures, but it was cool because the ceiling was glass and you looked up to the surrounding buildings.

This is me picking out warmer clothes. I feel so dumb, at last minute I packed warmer, but definitely not warm enough. I am doing my best, by layering and wearing Barry's hat as you can see, but brrrr!!! Needless to say, don't judge any outfits---I am just trying to stay warm!!!! Not to be too much of a Debbi Downer though, I have never enjoyed hot chocolate in June before!!!

This is Barry with a great little book that our little sister gave us!!! It is so handy and a lot of fun. The best part is that we look through it and now we check off things we have seen and ate and what not, pretty sweet. Even better than that though, is we sit for long times and read through it. I usually am writing in my journal from Kelly, and Barry reads it outloud to me...then later I have the book and I say "hey, did you know..." and Barry is like "I just read that to you earlier!!!" Hahaha so funny, to me at least!

This is the view from just in front of the National Museum, that we went in but didn't by tickets for yet, we will see. We are enjoying free things for now, seems like there is plenty of that and we are content! Inside, though, we saw the beautiful marble staircase which our Top 10 book noted was worth seeing, pretty!!!

This is for Kelley---I counted at least 200 motorcycles, holy moly!!! They went around the whole square and everybody had to stop, wait, and watch!

This is the Grand Hotel Europa, some of you may recognize it from Mission Impossible...???

Just for laughs!!!

This was inside the Lucerna Palace, another sculpture of Wenceslas, people love to steal the tongue on the hanging horse.

Here is typical Prague and it makes me giggle. Hundreds of years old beautiful buildings with KFCs. Deosn't get much better than that.

This is a pic of our grocery store! Now maybe you see why we call it Food Lion!

This is the side of our apartment coming home from the grocery store or the city, and that is our street name!!!

We love ya'll!!!
Na videnou!