After a realizing the snow wasn't coming soon to the Alps, Stef I decided a change of plans was in order. Although I was only visiting Stef for the holidays, we still had time to do something special. Prague was a place we both had always wanted to visit so Stef wasted no time booking the reservation over the Internet.

We were amazed by the number of beautiful very old buildings and thankful that this area, unlike most great cities in Europe, was somehow spared from the bombings of WWII. We found most everything very inexpensive and the people very friendly. The cafes are great places to have breakfast at. They are not only beautiful buildings but places of historical significance. Kafka and others plotted their revolutions there! The castles and churches are some of the biggest impressive structures I've ever seen. Prague Castle is the most popular sight visited in Prague. It is the largest ancient castle in the world. Since the Middle Ages Prague has been famous as one of the most beautiful cities of the world, and has been attributed adjectives such as "golden", "hundred-spired", "the crown of the world", "a stone dream". The native town is reflected in the works of Jan Neruda, Jaroslav Hasek, Jaroslav Seifert, Franz Kafka, Max Brod or Egon Erwin Kisch. Prague represents an unique collection of historical monuments dominated by the Prague Castle which towers high above the city.

Most people work very long days there. In fact our breakfast waitress later that night was still at the cafe Louve working and smiling. I spoke with her and she told me she works over 50 hrs a week. Quite a contrast from the work world in Germany where the Unions keep the workers hours very limited.

We managed to find a guide for a 2 tours and enjoyed both and we learn much about Kafka and Jewish Getto. Most shocking was the old Jewish Cemetery founded in 1478, it is Europe's oldest surviving Jewish cemetery. People had to be buried on top of each other because of lack of space. There are about 12 layer and over 12,000 gravestones. It was really terrible how the Jews were treated here. All those history classes taken during my high school days now have taken on a new meaning. Its hard to believe what happen here.

Our New Years party was spent at very fine restaurant and later we enjoyed some amazing fireworks in the center of the town. The bright explosions illuminated the old castles was unlike anything I've seen. They also had hot wine and a great band with sexy dancing girls! I was concerned that I would get hit in the head with the fireworks. Stef was her cool about it and just told me that no one ever gets hit, well isn't there always a first time????

Although we didn't get to go skiing I didn't miss it! Prague is great city and well worth a visit. I must mention though we experienced very cold weather and often had to eat out in places full of cigarette smoke. I've never seen so many smokers! It was nice to stay at The Intercontinental Hotel. There we could enjoy the first class sauna and fitness studio, nice after a full day in the cold weather.