Traditions in Central Europe

Several observations about the Czech Republic: the keyboard on the computer is different, because of the accent marks needed to write in Czech. This language was almost wiped out during the Austrian then German occupation. Currently only about 4 million people on the planet speak this language. It's very difficult to speak, even more difficult to understand.

Last night we made a reservation at a restaurant, V Zatisi, that we believed was just passed the astrological clock square and down Karlova on Lillova. The maps appeared to be navigable. However, once we got passed the clock, during a cold, blustery pre-snow storm, the map and reality no longer matched. No one quite knew what we were asking them. We had no idea what they were saying back to us.

Somehow we got there. We even got there at the right time for our reservation. And once there, the food was exceptional, a real surprise. I won for the best appetizer: pumpkin and pear soup with cinnamon cream foam. There was an asparagus salad, and a seared tuna or a tiger shrimp that was infused with citrus and served in a sharp cream sauce. For entrees, there were a lot of portions of "Bambi" served at our table, but I had the sea bass with two sauces, and once again, mine was the freshest and tastiest.

We walked home in a snow storm which continues today, although suddenly the sun has come out. So far we haven't met any Czechs. We will be going to an art area today after stopping by some churches (there are churches on every block), and perhaps in a pub, we can engage people in conversation.

CNN is so much more grown up here in Europe. I would watch it in America if it was this good at home. There is no discussion about whether John Roberts looks better in a tie or without. Instead there was an entire half hour devoted to the Middle East this morning, another to Africa. The United States of America is not the center of the world here and it is a relief.