Day 90 Easter Market

Today we walked across the Charles Bridge with hundreds of our closest friends - at least in proximity- where we all enjoyed the Easter Market.  There were many stalls with local goods, especially blown, carved and painted eggs.  They were beautiful, but I figured I would never get back to Georgia with them.  There were also food vendors selling the most delicious sausages - I tried Del's - and Prague ham and a tiny potato dumpling, cabbage and ham dish that are supposed to be eaten together.  I decided to try the ham combo. It was good, but too huge for me to finish even with help from Del.  It was also the most expensive meal we have had here because they would not sell a smaller portion.  When I went to put it into the trash, two older men who were sitting there tried to tell me something, but I didn't understand.  When they picked my plate with left over dumplings, ham and fat and bread out of the trash and began to eat it, I understood.  I was about ready to cry, but they were smiling and appeared quite happy that I had placed the plate so that the food was not lost.

I also went to a well known establishment which will remain nameless to avoid spoiling Christmas surprises, where I bought something from a young man originally from Dallas who moved to Prague after finishing the Art Institute in Chicago.  He said he loves it here.

The highlight of the day was visiting a Mucha exhibit.  He was a famous illustrator for magazines, posters, books, ads and did a poster of Sarah Bernhardt.  He died in 1939 shortly after being interrogated by the Gestapo.  I recognized his work, but did not remember his name.

I should confess that I am one of those Americans I never could understand.  Why would anyone ever stop at McDonalds when there is so much wonderful food from the country one is visiting?  Other than once per country to get Del's happy meal toy, of course.  That was before I discovered that in Prague, you can reward yourself with a large, yes, a large coke with ice, that has just the proper ratio of syrup to fizz - heavy on the fizz- after walking around the city for hours.  It is just after you get off the Charles Bridge and before you get to our hotel.  I feel a little embarrassed to walk into the hotel each afternoon with a coke in my hand, but not so embarrassed that I stop doing it.  Fortunately, the water is okay to drink here, so we don't avoid the ice.

A blessed Easter to you all.  We head out tomorrow at 9 to get to the airport and will train home from Vilnius.  On Monday our friend John, who is in Riga will come for several days for a conference.  It will be good to see him.  His wife is home for a few weeks, but we hope to see them again in May.

Please forgive the punctuation.  I just can't seem to make myself worry about it in my old age.

We knew that our friend Ed is having a special birthday, but had forgotten that it is this weekend.  A finer, kinder, more genuine man you will never meet.  Actually, you can say that about the whole family.