Prague

Well, here I sit in a dark alleyway internet cafe... in the amazing back streets of Prague. I have had rave reviews of this town from everyone who has ever been here. Didn't think it could live up to it, but after just a few hours here, I must say that it does. Amazing. I will fill in a little more later... but to catch you up:

Tim and I DID go back into Venice for the day before leaving. I am glad we did. I had my bearings this time and it was sunny, warm, and REALLY crowded. I have a greater appreciation for those before me who have braved the attack pigeons of death at San Marco. I appreciate those who have enough money to spend on a $60 gondola ride (only when there with the LOML...), and I really appreciate free parking. It set us back a mere $25 for the half day. So we left Venice and headed North, trying to get near the coast, but managed only a 20 minute toe dipping in the Adriatic, then headed for the Alps. In a moment of bravery, I headed off on a small, single lane back road that said "Austria" and we took an over-the-alps back entrance into Austria. It was breathtaking at every turn, and that is besides my driving. We stood at the top and took pictures on the border. It was lovely. We drove through backwoods Austria, took our lives into our hands and ate Schnitzel (that was for you, Stefan) in a tiny little restaraunt at the same table where the boar whose skin hung above us had actually lost said skin according to the pictures... We finally found and overpaid for a room in the middle of the night, then took off for the Czech border. We were stopped on the Austrian side long enough to request a passport stamp from dreamy Rolf, but they just waved us through the Czech side.
Rural Czech Republic is amazingly beautiful. We drove through miles and miles of rolling green hills and flax fields in bloom. We were the sole guests at a "motel" somewhere south of Prague, and finally paid under $50 each for a bed. Today we drove the rest of the way into Prague, and after great searching, ended up at a charming Pension. We have wandered extensively, have made it across the Charles Bridge, and after this short email update, will explore some more for the rest of the evening. I really like it here, but I can't wait to get back to Germany in a few days. Hmmm...