my random ramblingsan infrequent (and these days, mostly Mira related…) blog

flight out was so early that there was no point going to bed. taxi to Schipol, then we flew together to Paris. eventually back to Chicago, and took the train to the apartment.

actually up early and decided to rent bicycles while the rest of the city slept off their Queen’s Day hangovers. bicycled through Vondelpark as i was afraid of taking Лена through the hectic city streets. returned to Leidseplein for tostis, then back into Rembrandtplein for some sushi and another stop for coffee. returned to the room and then unsuccessfully tried to find an internet cafe to copy photos, so instead poached a hotel computer lounge to do the same. went through Central Station and made our last journey into the Red Light District. finally stopped to ride the ferris wheel in Dam Square on the way back to the apartment. relaxed and changed for a nice Dutch dinner on Spuistraat just behind the apartment. got back around midnight and only had time to pack and hang out for the last few minutes together before our early flight out.

another morning sleeping in, then watched some of the Queen’s Day celebration pass along the canal in front of our apartment. set out to enjoy the craziness on the streets for the big holiday. found a cool orange dress from a street vendor and returned for Лена to appropriately change into the queen’s color. back out and through Rembrandtplein, buying some patat frites along the way. stopped for coffee and eventually looped into the Red Light District where we visited the huge 2 story Chinese restaurant for some food. went back to the room for what was to be a short nap, but somehow we didn’t wake up until the next morning.

up late again and was difficult to finally get out of bed. went up to Magna Plaza to shop but was disappointed with the selection of stores. stopped at the large Albert Heijn on the way back to the apartment for some snacks. went back down to the Leidseplein to do some more shopping and ran into Paul and Randi along the way. stopped for coffee then back to the apartment and more Russian lessons. took a nap then again towards the Leidseplein for dinner at an Italian restaurant. met up with Paul and Randi for a night of dancing at Bungalow 8.

didn’t get out of bed until early afternoon, then made our way down Leidsestraat to the Leidseplein where we had coffee and a tosti. back up through Spui and Dam Square and again to the Red Light District. lots of shopping and lots of bags to carry, glad to finally get back to the apartment. got some Russian tutoring and struggled with proper pronounciation. changed for dinner and stopped for coffee on the way out. met Paul, Randi and some friends at Supperclub for an enjoyable evening at the iconic restaurant and club.

late morning walk through the city, then back to the apartment to await the delivery of Лена’s luggage. left again and did some shopping on Kalverstraat – the first time of many. Went up through Dam Square and into the Red Light District, which even during the day will always surprise a new visitor to the city. had dinner at a sushi restaurant on Nieuwezijds, which was excellent. stopped back at the apartment to rest and change then caught a show at Casa Rosso for the night’s entertainment.

up early and breakfast in the hotel. packed up and spent a little time on the hotel computer messing with photos and updating the blog. taxied to the airport and said our goodbyes to Prague. connected through Paris en route to Amsterdam. unfortunately Лена’s bag didn’t make the trip all the way with us. train to Central Station and on to our apartment overlooking the Singel canal for the next week. arrived too late for a proper dinner, so had to eat at a shawarma shop around the corner.

slow morning, breakfast in the hotel and then packed our bags. before heading out, i dodged the rain to collect water from the nearest natural spring for a friend. taxied to the bus station, then made the 2+ hour return trek to Prague. checked back into the Hilton and played on their outdoor climbing wall after the weather cleared. spent the day and night relaxing in the hotel, then eventually back to Wenceslas Square after midnight for some late night fun.

nice breakfast in the hotel, then spent the day meandering through the streets. went to the top of Diana Tower for some great views of the city and valley, then continued walking the town taking countless photos along the way. stopped at a couple of the spas to sample the spring water, then lunch beside the river. back to the room for a nap, then again around the city. took some crazy photos back in the room then dinner just across the river.

up with the sunrise but managed to snooze and still catch the last few minutes of breakfast. checked out and left our bags with the hotel then walked nearby where the FireFly studio had set up in the street for the day to shoot some promotional video and photos. and they had asked Лена to stop by and lend a hand after her classes at the studio yesterday. 🙂 collected our bags and took a bus to Karlovy Vary and checked into a quaint hotel in this very picturesque town. lousy sushi dinner down the street, but couldn’t ask for better company.