DAY 22 (MAY 23-WED) PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Late start-10:00-buy all day tram ticket.  Church of St. Mary the Victorious-displays statue of infant Jesus of Prague-lots of people from SAmerica make pilgrimage here.  Saw several other beautiful churches.  Then went to Jewish synagogue tour & cemetery-no pictures could be taken.  Room after room listed names (dates) of Jews who were killed–incredible to actually think this is there only memorial.  Have never been in a synagogue & didn’t know what to expect–what a contrast to the Catholic cathedrals–very plain–a place where it seems easier to talk to God & not feel overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of the church.  Cemetery was helter skelter w/all sizes of tomb stones all over the place not like the manicured cemeteries at the churches Lots of tourists-more French & Asian groups–no bikers. Went to toy exhibit-impressive Barbie doll collection.  Highlight of day was concert at church-Star Night World Musicals at 6:00.  This time there was  a piano player, saxophone player, & soloist–songs from Sound of Music, Evita, Jesus Christ superstar, Hello Dolly, West Side Story & others–soloist did a wonderful job–performed this concert everyday for 24 straight days-were only 25 people in audience.  Again-no introduction of players or songs-just play 1 song after another-bow-& leave.    Went to eat Vegetarian food again & rode tram to hotel.  Tomorrow is last day & I’m so ready to be home–my clothes are really getting smelly & I’m eating way too much food.

DAY 21 (MAY 22-TUES) PRAGUE, CZECH  REPUBLIC

Good breakfast-bought 30 min ticket to ride tram (electric street car) tour ticket to see Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral & Rosenberg Castle which housed single destitute noble women (age 24+) or orphans (18+)-had to prove their nobility going back 4 generations.  Went to Vegetarian restaurant–place so dark-had to bring me a flashlight to read menu.  Walk back to hotel–tomorrow another day.

DAY 20 (MAY21-MON)  BUDAPEST TO PRAGUE

Last breakfast w/Jean–she’s ready to go home-being a tourist can be stressful–tomorrow is her 42nd wedding anniversary w/Armando.  We take a cab together to airport–again so grateful to Jean–never would be here if not for her.  We’re at airport too early to check in–going through security is fast & efficient.  Get bussed out to our little cute plan.  In a 1 hr flight-we get snacks & they come around twice w/drinks.  Armand has now done ALL our planning–did I mention I’m completely worthless–Armand is my leader & I know & love my place behind him.  Man waiting for us at Prague airport–holding up sign w/Armand Gonsoulin.  He has long hair, loves Americans (hates Russians & what Communist did to their country) & is playing American music on radio.  Tell him we’re from TEXAS–OH-COUNTRY WESTERN-& he turns to a country western station.  Can’t believe we’re in Prague & listening to our music.  Winding streets–certainly not as impressive as coming into Budapest.  Little gate won’t open to hotel–has to go inside to get code.  Little lobby w/a couple of chairs–not sure what Armand has signed us up for.  Room has green carpet like at home–Armand–we don’t have GREEN carpet, it’s BLUE–for the last 20 yrs it’s been green & before that it was BLUE.  In this little hotel we have free Internet in our room & a bathtub.  Walk to castle–about 20 min from hotel.  At 8:30–it’s almost deserted–can take pictures–walk back-tomorrow is another day.