Ok, a quick skite – walked 8kms today. I know, I know, but I don’t usually, so it was big.

It took a while to find out what was happening on the day due to emails with Spanish as the language for the tour being plastered onto the final instruction page. So after 5 or so emails back and forth between my travel agent to the tour operators – I finally received the confirmation that the tour would be in English.

I had the meeting point of the statue of Saint Wenceslas.

15 mins by Uber. Waiting there freezing etc – all planned and accounted for. Red umbrella spotting to follow.

https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/103438021815875083473

So I was ready, I ended up being the only person on the tour so I was organised and ready to leave the apartment at 9:15 – to catch an Uber to get to the Square by 9:35 ish. So I left, heading down to the entrance of the building only to be accosted by a small elderly woman telling me she was there to take me on the tour and that the doorman would not call me, or let her come up to knock on my door to say that she was there. She was not impressed.

So I am trying to understand why she is there, cancel my Uber and get out the door, to get some money from the atm next door.

I managed all that and she explained what had happened turned me left, slid her arm into mine and off we went. It was a good idea to be together, we both were able to help the other in times of slippage. It really was a very comical way to start the day.

Her name was Eva and at almost 80 in December, she was as spry and as strong as someone much younger. She said she was a ballet dancer from age 4 to 14 when she developed cancer in her leg so had to stop. It obviously didn’t stop her. She took me to a tobacconist to buy a tram ticket to the castle. She has had a full life living overseas and working in diplomatic situations, has met and guided Prince Charles (King) three times and he would send letters of introduction to her regarding those he knew who were coming to the castle for a tour from her. Fascinating woman. I really enjoyed my time with her and learnt so much. The history of Prague goes so far back it is mind-boggling. I come from a country whose European history is just over 200 years. Not 12 centuries.

The photos I took along the way were many so enjoy. They mean something to me and I hope you enjoy them for their content and colour and just because they show what exists in this old and fascinating place.

I apologise for the crowding of the photos. It’s not a flexible program. Will endeavour to remedy the situation in due course.

Our street and our apartment door.

That’s Prague – we are off to Budapest now.

Thanks for reading this. And commenting.