Journal

While on vacation in Vienna, Austria, I traveled by train to Prague, Czech Republic. It felt like a natural place to visit given their mutual history. I met another American on the train who told me that she fell in love with Prague after following an American poet there. She said that it was such a beautiful city. After hearing her boast about its beauty, I couldn't wait to see it. It made every train stop ever more exciting as we approached this medieval gem that I am told even Hitler loved.

Upon arriving at the train station, I stepped out into the city center. I felt like I stepped back in time to a wonderfully preserved Medieval town. It was full of huge archways, cobblestone streets, plazas, the Jewish Cemetery, Orloj or astrological Clock, and Charles Bridge to name just a few. In such a short time, I came to think of this city as my favorite place in the world. That's saying something since I have visited 26 countries and counting.

I was also happy that I was there before most Americans had begun to make the trek which was in 2000. There is something about too many Americans. The locals tend to tolerate us before we arrive in droves. I think I tolerate a city or a country before we arrive in droves too. The Americanization of any place foreign tends to make it become inauthentic. I am very glad to say that I don't think I ran into any other Americans besides that young lady on the train while I was there. I walked the length of Charles Bridge multiple times marveling at every aspect of it; it is over 1,000 years old with its stone carved Saints. Wenceslas Square was full of action with people going to and from places known and unknown. I really enjoyed this square that bustled with so much life and seemed to be the center of Prague. It is a great place to people watch which is an activity I enjoy wherever I go and wherever I am.

When I arrived at my hotel, an older woman from Newcastle, England was just getting off of the elevator. We started talking and before long made plans to meet up again after I got settled into my room. I had also run into the gentleman who was traveling with her. He was fairly attractive, and I thought that they were a couple after I later saw them together.

He eventually told me when we were alone why he was with her and told me not to mention it to her. Later that evening when we met for dinner, she ended up telling me why they were there together anyway. I must admit that it felt a little like cloak and dagger stuff. The city was a perfect backdrop to the situation that unfolded. I soaked it up. The air of mystery was very fitting and I must admit that I imagined myself as part of this saga that was before me since they saw fit to include me in the case. A cheating husband caught with his mistress and a love child. I will say no more about that.

Nevertheless, I took it all in with excitement and wonder while sitting in this very elegant restaurant with delicious food, fine linen, crystal stemware and excellent service. I made the most of my short time in Prague that time.

I did end up keeping in touch with her after I boarded the train to head back to Vienna which was my base while in Europe that time. Little did I know that I would be back in Prague within a few months' time hanging out with the same English woman, sans drama.