Saturday, November 11 - Travel Day

  We departed in our Czechbus and with our Czech driver at 8 AM. Agi pointed out to us the sites we had visited and those not visited, sharing their part in the history of the country. I could tell that she lives her city very much and wants to share her love and pride.

  We were soon in the countryside.  Fields, barren trees accompanied the light rain and dropping temperature. We napped or read until we reached our first restroom stop. It was chilly.  

  During the drive to lunch in the Czech Republic we drove through Slovakia without being stopped for passport control. From. The four lane divided highway we could see a bit of Bratislava, the capitol city and a bit of the castle with red-topped towers. Agi gave us a 10 point written quiz about Hungary which we all passed. It prompted discussion.

  The border to the Czech Republic was likewise unstaffed. HURRAH for the EU and Shengren Agreement. We ate at a rural hotel and restaurant in Ledice, located near a castle and garden and park one owned by the H e Liechtenstein family.  They were not welcome due to their support of the Nazis and asked to leave the country. The property is mow owned by the state and used for cultural events. I need to read about this very wealthy family -  its history in the Czech Republic and connection with the country Liechtenstein. 

  The temperature dropped to 40 degrees, and the light rain continued, and it was quite dark by 4:30. Traffic on the gour lane highway was heavy, plus one or two lanes were still closed for construction work, although neither workers nor equipment were around.


  Shortly after 5:30  our Prague guide met us at very modern hotel. Shortly after we met fir orientation. Power point visuals with a folder containing a map, detailed daily schedule, practical information about the city, history of the country, with suggestions for free time activities, and a detailed milti-page booklet about the architecture were presented to us. 

  After a few questions we gathered again gor a short walk to the local restaurant for supper and beer, as this part if the foundry Moravia, is known yor its pilsner beers, I drank my complimentary glass of alcohol-free beer. Yhe salad of iceberg lettuce and peppers of three colors and cucumbers was lightly dressed with a sweet dressing. Chicken schnitzel and mashed potatoes and sweet pickles were the main course. Ice cream with finely-chopped walnuts and drizzled carsamel sauce topped off the evening.

  During the meal three if us ordered tickets on line for a concert Tuesday evening. Now I need to obtainl Czech Kroner  to repay him for the senior rate for a concert of classical music, to be held in a local cathedral  $13. Senior may also ride public transportation at no cost IF they carry their passports. We were advised not to do that. Mine is already my room safe.



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