Why Do We Call Praha Prague?

Wouldn't it make more sense to call it what the natives do? You're very welcome for that observation, it's on the house!

Dan & I are in Praha, and while we're absolutely enjoying it it will probably not end up on our top 5 cities. We've had some trouble getting around, and since our hotel is outside of the main city area it only has further complicated things. Praha is beautiful architecturally speaking. The churches, cathedrals, plalces, bridges--all of them are stunning and unique.

Yesterday we went on a walking tour of the Praha Palace and St. Vitis Cathedral which was okay. Actually, I should clarify, the castle and cathedral were spectacular, the tour wasn't as spectacular however. We did meet a nice young man from Toronto who we went out to dinner and visited with, Todd. He was a pleasure to get to know, and gave us some great advice about our travels since he travels through Europe for months at a time for work.

I haven't had the chance to update about our last afternoon in Berlin; however that post will be more of a rant due to our visit to the Altes Museum. I'll save most of it for later, suffice it to say that inspite my love of museums and the fact that I got to see one of the most famous Egyptian artifacts of all time I (actually, we both should be included in this statement) was horrified and sorely disappointed in the museum on a whole. When I have a real computer to update on, instead of the iPhone, my desire--nay, my need--to rant will be satisfied, I assure you.

Now, I must draw this post to a close.

Dan & I are going to have a Biblestudy and take it fairly easy as today is a double Sabbath. And as my mother-in-law has requested I draw to my dear reader's attention, we keep the Sabbath as a day of rest, which on this exausting adventure is especially appreciated. The Sabbath, for anyone not acquainted with our beliefs, is a blessing of rest for the 24 hour period of the 7th day--beginning Friday at sunset and continuing through Saturday until sunset. We do no work and use it as a time of rejuvination and focus on the Lord. Today also happens to be a high day (Holy Day), Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement so it is a double Sabbath. Dan and I have no qualms enjoying God's amazing creation on His Sabbaths, so we will take today, and every Friday night at sunset through Saturday at sunset to take it a bit easier and focus on Him and this amazing blessing He has given us.

Berlin is Wonderful, Their Keyboards Aren't

The past 2 days in Berlin have been phenomenal! Dan & I are taking a break from touring, because the museum we want to go to will be free after 6 PM. We figured we'd kill an hour here, and update you fine folks before touring, since it will save us 17€. Saving money makes me happy!

We've changed our itinerary for the days leading up to the Feast. Tomorrow (Friday) we'll be taking a train at 6:44 AM to Prague (Praha), Czech Republic. We'll arrive there approximately 11 AM and spend the rest of the day touring. We'll spend Saturday there, and leave for Krakow, Poland on the overnight train Saturday night.

Sunday we will arrive in Poland at 7 AM and spend the day at Auschwitz. Sunday night we'll jump on an overnight train to Vienna (Wein), Austria and spend Monday & Tuesday in Vienna. Tuesday night we take yet another overnight train to Rome and meet up with Mom & Dad and the rest to start our Feast of Tabernacles in Perugia, Italy.

Sound like a lot to you? It sure does to me! But we've had so much fun so far, that I think we're up for it.

Oh yay, Dan just showed me how to convert the keyboard so it's more like ours at home. It is much easier to type now!

Yesterday after my last post we took a bus tour of Berlin, to get an overview of the city--when we have time to do that, it is wonderful because you can get your bearings as well as see some things you wouldn't normally get to see just walking around the city.

We have pictures galore--in front of what remains of the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Tor (Gate), Schloss Bellvue, Checkpoint Charlie, Topography of Terror, Museuminsel (Museum Island), etc. However, we don't have a way to offload them yet, so you'll have to wait a bit longer. Just trust me, everything is amazing, and we look spectacular in each and every picture ;)

After the bus tour and exploring Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche and eating crepes on the square we went to dinner at the famous KDV Department Store. I know, dinner at a store seems odd, but this store has a gourmet floor that is utterly unbelievable!

If dinner was easy and less than stressful, the next hour or so was frustrating. We're doing very well at getting around on the U-Bahn & S-Bahn (metro trains) but it was our first experience with the bus system. We finally figured it out, but it was a bit difficult at first.

The problem was, we had to be somewhere at a very specific time, because Dan had purchased tickets to a concert of Baroque and Classical Era music featuring Handel, Mozart, & Beethoven performed in Charlottenburg Palace. Can we say romantic and fabulous! The soprano and tenor were phenomenal and the program was fabulous. We both had an amazing time, and enjoyed it immensely. Ladies, can a husband do much better than a candlelight concert in a palace when aiming for romance?! I think not! Which is reason #148573 why I have the most amazing husband in the world!

We got home easily, because as I mentioned before, we've gotten to be experts at using the metro (we even have been able to help other people out, who were confused or lost!). However, when we got back to our flat, we ran into some problems. Namely, that the door wouldn't open. We finally had to call the property manager of the apartment and have him drive out at 11 PM to let us in. It turned out that the door had a "trick" to it, that he had forgotten to mention when he let us in the night before. All was well, but I felt bad for making the guy drive across town in the middle of the night.

Today we've had a (what else!?) great day touring Berlin more. We've been all over Alexanderplatz, up in the TV Tower where we had another romantic meal in the revolving restaurant that is the highest point in Berlin, and exploring the Tiergarten, Lustgarten, and many other parks, churches, etc. After the museums this evening, we're going get a nice dinner in one of the more exclusive areas of Berlin and then call it a rather early evening as our train leaves at 6:44 AM tomorrow.

Our hotel in Prague is set up, and looks great! For only 44€ we'll have a deluxe double room with a queen bed, en suite bathroom, hairdryer (this is important to me, okay!), and free internet! Prague is supposed to be amazing, and we're really looking forward to exploring the castles there.

I'm sorry I haven't replied to comments, I'm not sure how to reply to a specific comment, without just adding another comment to my own post. LiveJournal seems more user friendly in the comment area. But thank you all for reading, and I'll eventually figure out how to individually reply.

Now, off to ramble around the Egyptian Exhibit in one of the many amazing museums here! Tchuse!

A Post From Berlin

And our first post from the iPhone, so please forgive any mistakes, as well as the brevity of the post. This keyboard is less than user friendly.

We are sitting in a tiny cafe just down the street from Charlottenburg Palace, where we spent an amazing morning absorbing Baroque Architecture and Prussian history. Dan is next to me mapping out our afternoon route, and trying to figure out how we can upload some pictures soon.

The trip is beginning to feel more real, the edge is wearing off as our stress levels decrease and we become more accustomed to being completely lost and mostly confused at all times. Our last few days have been filled with blessing after blessing, and this adventure is even more fun than we imagined!

Yesterday we spent most of the day touring Amsterdam with some new friends and fellow backpackers we met up with on the ferry, Phil & Shannon. We all had gotten into London on the same day, had Eurail passes, and similar itineraries--plus we got along wonderfully, so we spent Monday evening and Tuesday touring together. We had so much fun, although Amsterdam was incredibly touristy--and frankly quite shocking we still enjoyed going to a couple museums together, and enjoying the spectacular structures.

Last night we took the train to Berlin and have rented a fabulous flat in West Berlin for the next 3 days. We love having 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, and a washing machine of our own; and all for 69 euro a night! A great deal!

My German is getting quite a workout, and so far I'm amazed by how much I remember, we've been able to communicate even with non English speakers very well. Hopefully, it'll just get easier too.

Next we're taking a bus tour to get a lay of the land, and tonight possibly a costumed concert in a palace. Honestly I can barely believe this is my life!

I need to go now, there is so much more to tell, but I'll save it for later.

We hope all those traveling the next few weeks to the Feast have a safe and wonderful journey! Mom & Daddy have a great flight today--we're praying for you and we'll see you next week!

Love to all!