Self indulgence...

I suppose that a blog is the ultimate in believing that you are important. Think about it. Here I am writing and pretending that what I write is of interest and of importance. Well, I am dissuaded from that notion, but not from the process of writing. So, if you are still with me and still reading, thanks, and let me know what YOU are thinking. Fair is fair.

It is another wonderful day in Prague. I cannot believe the weather, and all I can say is that we have been blessed and lucky beyond belief. I had watched the 10 day weather forecast before I left and it said rain and cloudy almost every day. It is nice to know that weather forecasters are lousy here, too. Tell me that people really thought that Columbus would have more snow in single snowfall than they ever had before. Well, at least we are on the positive side of bad weather forecasts!

There have been many changes in Praha that I have noticed, some since last time about 2 years ago, and many since the first time that I visited. Not all our good, and not all are bad, but they are differences. There is a tremendous increase in the numbers and percent of the people who can and do speak English. Every shop and pub has someone who speaks it quite well or well enough to communicate what you would like. Easier to travel, but it does take some of the adventure out of going to a restaurant and seeign a menu entirely in Czech. I think that I have known what I have ordered everytime I have eaten. No accidental roasted pig knuckles for me! That is a good thing, I think.

While increasingly westernized, in most areas of Prague you can still walk without passing a McDonalds. Some areas, especially New Town, have a few more, but I think that is remarkable. People obviously eat out, but seem to avoid fast food--the cost may be one factor. A Big Mac meal is 149K, or about $9.00 or so. And yes, you can still supersize it. Oddly enough, despite a cuisine that is heavy on gravy and dumplings, the population seems to be thinner by far than what you would experience in say, Ohio. Certainly it is because they walk farther than we ever would. Alas, they balance that healthy part with the fact that more people smoke here than in the US. I think the rate is almost twice that of the US. Bars in particular are deadly. Thank you, Ohio, for passing the smoking ban. It surprises me. I wonder if their entry in the EU will force changes. Think of it--pubs in Ireland are smoke free, as are cafes in Paris.

Clearly Prague or at least Prague 1 exists for tourism and exists because of tourism. One interesting thing that has changed is the reduction in the number of shops selling crystal. I have noted this before, but it is very evident this trip. There used to be an annoying and amazing number of little shops that all sold basically the same thing. Now there are larger shops with better quality and a more diverse collection of crystal for sale. Clearly you don't have to travel far for that last minute gift of a little vase, but it might be a bit longer walk.

The Easter festival is so much fun. I think that it is interesting, in a country that has one of the lowest chuch attendance rates in Europe, that the whole country celebrates Easter as it does. To my benefit, I might add. Eating crispy sausages on wonderful bread, washed down by exceptional beer is not that much of a chore. Nor is sipping mulled wine while enjoying one of many small sweet treats. Good that I am walking 8-10 miles a day, as I suspect that this is not the ideal diet for me, but it sure is fun. I promise not to do this in Findlay at their Easter festival. Wait...oh well, I think I can keep that promise. One Easter tradition is one that I am betting will not catch on, though I am hopeful. You can buy plaited willow "whips" and single men can go to the houses of single women that they like and swat them on their legs. It is done to indicate that they like them, but also to encourage fertility and the chance to see if that is the case, if you can follow that. The women apparently enjoy this, and give the "swatter" a shot of alcohol and perhaps, a shot at love. It is too good of a tradition to transfer back to the states. I am still thinking of bringing back a switch. What can I lose by trying?

I better go and enjoy the weather. Best to all of you who can't say that phrase, and who are either freezing or fighting snow.

PS> About the photos. Steve has aced be on photos--his whole post today is a photo page. I am slow to figure out the limited technology, and the computers are a bit primitive. It is very difficult to post a vertical photo, but know that I am trying. I will share what I can soon.