The Events of Monday, June 27, 2011

                Extreme fatigue: that can be the only reason. Despite paper-thin walls, lumpy mattresses and no way to block out the early morning light, we all (including Jim) slept in until 8 o’clock. Refreshed, we went through our now typical morning “pack up” routine and were soon on our way out of Berlin. Well, not really so soon, as it took about 45 minutes to escape the city. I had offered to drive since Jim had some blogging to do. I thought we’d be on the autobahn in no time and was looking forward to zooming along where 130 kph (80 mph) was only a suggestion. However, just like when I offered to drive out of Amsterdam, it took us forever to wind our way through construction and traffic to the autobahn. And the construction didn’t stop there. Just when I would be getting comfortable at 140 kph, there would be signs slowing me down to 120, then 100, then 80 and then a paltry 60 kph as construction narrowed the roads and re-routed the traffic.

                Just outside of Dresden, Germany, we stopped at a rest area for lunch. After rain every day in Germany and three cloudy and cool days in Berlin, we were wondering if summer would ever come. It came today with a vengeance and we were glad Jim had given us the heads-up and suggested we wear capris or shorts. Even so, the girls were wishing they hadn’t packed their sunhats away as they tried to shield their faces from the bright, hot sun. Jim drove the next leg as we searched for a grocery store. We needed some fresh pretzels to go with our bratwurst tonight and were also looking for “Berliners” – jelly donuts covered with powdered sugar.

                Yesterday was the 48th year anniversary of JFK’s famous speech in Berlin where he announced to the world, “Ich bin ein Berliner!” essentially calling himself a jelly donut. (He should have said:  "Ich bin Berliner" which means "I am a citizen of Berlin.") Ben wanted us to sample some Berliners in Berlin and Abby particularly was excited to learn that we were in Berlin on the anniversary of JFK’s historic speech. However, since all the bakeries were closed on Sunday, we had no success in finding any Berliners. What we found today is that Berliners are not sold outside of Berlin. Disappointed, we made due with an extra pretzel (extra because Jim mixed up his German numbers).

                I volunteered to drive the next leg since Ben wanted us to listen to a Rick Steves podcast on Prague. (I’ve found that I tend to drift off to sleep when we are driving on the autobahn and Rick Steves is droning on and on…..ZZZZ) Again this turned out to be not such a good idea. For one thing, we weren’t on the autobahn long. Soon we were in the Czech Republic. A special sticker is required to drive on these Czech toll ways. We didn’t have the correct currency, and we weren’t sure how or where to purchase this sticker. So we programmed the GPS to avoid these toll ways. Except then I missed our exit. Oops.

                However, my mistake proved fortuitous.  Eventually the GPS directed us off the toll way and into the lovely rolling countryside of the Czech Republic. We wound our way over hills and overlooked lovely valleys and then we followed a river. It was a bit tricky and stressful to try to follow the constantly changing directions on the GPS, obey the ever-changing speed limit signs AND listen to Rick Steves’ commentary on Prague. After about 45 minutes of this, I had had enough and turned the driving over to Jim. Soon the podcast ended and we were approaching our destination.

                Our lodging is in Černý Vůl, which is just outside of Prague. It is called the Cherry Tree Lodge because the street dead-ends into a cherry orchard. We were met at the house by Hana who took us inside and had us complete the necessary paperwork. The house is spacious, especially compared to our Berlin accommodations, with two floors, two bathrooms and two living spaces. The kitchen is small and not particularly well-equipped, but that is the only shortcoming. There is even a washing machine, which we have not had access to since London. However, the best part of this home is, not only does it come with free internet access; it also came with two computers that also have internet access. Wahoo‼ We are again connected to Yahoo‼

                Highly motivated to “get online”, the move-in process was accomplished in record time. Soon two-thirds (Lindsey also had her iTouch) of the family was online and catching up with friends and family, updating our website and researching sights to see in Prague. Pulling ourselves away to fix and eat dinner was no easy task, but a delicious dinner softened the blow.

                After dinner, there was a soft knock on the kitchen window where Abby was washing dishes. It was Valya, the man who was going to give us our bikes. Not only does this accommodation come with the opportunity to hire a Czech chef for a meal, but it also came with six bikes. Valya led us on a short walk to a nearby property and wheeled six bikes out of the garage. He explained he had personally refurbished and repaired all the bikes and they were in good working order. After adjusting the seats for us and providing helmets, we soon were biking home. At home Lindsey gave Jim a much needed haircut, the boys showered, the girls blogged, read and emailed and soon it was time for bed.