Ceske Krumlov

Since we had a few extra days, with nothing planned, we decided to stay in the Czech Republic... it's really nice, the beer and food are cheap, and the kezboärds are the way we are used to (unlike here, in Germany again). So, we headed south on a long bus ride (exciting driving helped pass the time) to Ceske Krumlov, a small castle town on the southern edge of the country. If you're interested in the town, Google it, but basically it's like Prague WAS about 400 years ago- a castle, small cobble streets, terraces, only about 500 people, little English, and good food. We ate from an open fire restaraunt two nights because it was so tasty (they serve meat on a stick and several other meaty concoctions, we got half a chicken and pork neck one night). There was a bear moat around the castle (with three brown bears), which was an interesting line of defense, but no doubt effective- the bears were kept hungry, apparently; we went to the feeding times twice and they weren't fed. The castle itself was just as interesting as Prague's- we explored the castle cellars, and the castle gardens were far better than Prague's. Plus, no croweds, and half-liters of beer were about $1.25 on tap (50 cents in the store).

Great little town, highly recommended if anybody is in Czech-land. We would have stayed longer if we could, but it was off to Berlin (via a futuristic super-bus, with coffee, beer, capaccino machines, movies, watercloset, movies, and a stewardess- all free (i don't know about the stewardess).

That night we stayed in Prague at the same hostel, it was not possible to make the bus trip (3 hours) and make the train the same day. Not bad, we got promoted to the private suite instead of the big dorm room for free... not sure why, but it was pretty nice.