Rain then a beautiful night in Uppsala!

First - I have a neice!! Holland Elise Abernathy was born this afternoon...I hear she is perfect. :) Can't wait to see her on Saturday. Congrats to Betsey & Kirk.

Second - we just came in from our last night on vacation...had a great dinner at a Greek restaurant on the river. Ate a ton...decided we needed to walk about 25 miles before heading to bed. Walked through the rain until the sun started shining...then saw an unbelievable double rainbow over the cathedral. Was amazing - made even more so by the fact that it was 10pm... Of course, didn't have the camera with us to capture the sight!!! But, definitely lingered at the scene...

Up at 5am for the long travel home...look forward to seeing all. Thanks for reading!

Last day!!!

So...the last day on vacation has been good. But, it's COLD and RAINY today!! Like a day in January in Atlanta...

We did get to Gamla Uppsala - the old town. Saw the Viking burial grounds - pretty cool and actually very large, an old church, some farming areas, and drank some Viking Mead from a horn...a very small amount of mead as it wasn't really very tasty. We guess that's why the Vikings are so tough...

After that, spent some time walking around the town in the drizzle. Found a little pub with a perfectly cranky bartender...went back to the Czech beer with a Krusovice. :)

The best part of today was talking to Betsey this morning as she's getting ready to have her baby!!!!! I'm counting the hours here... according to my clock, in 88 minutes I'll get a text message or phone call that all is well and will know if I have a niece or nephew. Can't wait!!!! Will go see the baby on Saturday...

Love to all. We fly home tmo - so no more blog updates! :)

It's Cold in Sweden!

Just got back after an evening in Uppsala...good fish dinner, beers and a beautiful evening in Central Sweden, except that we had to put the blankets around us as we sat outside! The good news is that all the restaurants have blankets readily available on the chairs outside...unlike some of those airlines we are used to.

It is still light outside - dusk basically. But, it is cold...tmo, we see the Viking ruins.

Uppsala & Sweden Update!

Hej!

Mindy - the pics look great!! Very cool. Wish you guys were still here also - would be much fun.

Today Mark and I have toured Uppsala...it didn't take too long. :) We saw the Carl Linne botantical garden (Steve, you would have liked that!!), the Castle, and a museum that housed the Silver Bible written in the 6th century and taken as booty from the Czech's during the 30 yrs war. So our travel circle is complete! We also popped into a couple of churches/cathedrals. Very cool.

Our time in Torso was great. No swimming...was TOO cold! We probably could have gone on the day we left as it seemed warmer, but the water was about 55 degrees while we were there...and without a hot tub to jump into afterwards, it seemed a little foolish. :)

Unfortunately, we had rain on Midsommers day (Friday) - but we managed to enjoy the festivities anyway. I'll try to attach a picture of the Midsommers Pole (not the one we made!). The day was filled with strawberries, herring, new potatoes (unlike anything I've ever had in the US!), and schnaps of course. The Swedes are pretty amazing with their ability to toast with a shot of schnaps just about every bite of herring they take! (Mark and I did not even try to keep up with that...). There were ~30 people at our gathering - all family. Much singing and fun was had.


We spent Saturday and Sunday visiting cousins, aunts, and grandparents. It seemed that we ate cake and drank coffee at every turn. The daylight is certainly amazing...no real sunset to speak of! It's awfully nice now, but we can't imagine what the opposite must be like at Winter Solstice...

On Monday, Mark, Mary & I went to Stockholm and toured around Gamla Stan (old town). Many winding cobblestone streets, old buildings, etc. Of course, all the expected souvenir shops as well! We then had dinner at the Grand Hotel. It was great and everything we expected...until dessert. We shared a Swedish cheesecake - nothing like our NY version. It was WONDERFUL!

Tmo we're going to go to Gamla Uppsala - where the Viking ruins, etc. are. This afternoon...we're planning on shopping and perhaps finding an "ol". (I think that's Swedish for Pivo).

More later...

PS - we are looking forward to getting back to some of the comforts of home!

Mark & Amelia made it to Uppsala!

We're in Uppsala - a university town with deep Viking history a little north of Stockholm. We are heading out to explore...so will update more later.

But, quickly - our time at Torso was great! We spent the weekend with Mark's family in their summer cabin - and I mean cabin - and enjoyed the "Midsommers" festivities. Lots of herring, potatoes, and strawberries were eaten!

More later.

Mindy & Amelia at our chapel in Prague---WOW!

The Bloggers In Tabor!

287 steps and Ahoj to Praha!

Cafe Life in Prague!

On The Charles Bridge in Praha!

PIVO

Cesky Krumlov---Our First Day and our First Pivo

Mindy & Steve are home!

The Chychlyks arrived home.....although we spent ALOT of time in airports...after a 4 hour ride to Munich, we had a 2 hour delay in Munich, a 4.5 hour layover in PHL that became 8.5 (including 2 hours sitting on the runway in Philadelphia)...we arrived home at 4 a.m. Eastern time, which means a total of 26 hours to get home (while Mark and Amelia were enjoying Praha!). We had a GREAT trip! Mark & Amelia...have a great last day in Praha, drink a Pivo for us (Steve was VERY disappointed drinking the airport beer!) and have a great time in Sweden!

Ahoj!

Last day in Czech!!

OK - the last post from Praha...and possibly the last for a few days as I'm not sure we will have internet access at the cabin in Sweden.

Mark and I spent a great day yesterday touring Praha. We tried again to see the Lady of Tyn church and the Bethlehem Chapel (where Hus preached). Alas - both were closed!! We were able to see them both today though...the Bethlehem chapel was much more simple than any of the other churches we saw; the Lady of Tyn church was very ornate and interesting (Mindy - you basically saw the entire church from the gate though!).

We also tried to go to the lunch spot where Bill Clinton visited when he was here years ago...we're going to try and hit that again today for our last lunch as we couldn't find a seat yesterday! The place was hopping with seeming locals...only 1-2 other women even in the place. Since we missed that, we decided to hit the original Budvar restaurant again for a large lunch...with Pivo of course. It was good - very basic Czech.

We spent the afternoon ambling around - saw the National Theater, Pitcin Park (?) where the we saw the memorial to those affected by communism and the Hunger Wall. All in "Little Quarter". Walked around there...found a Pivo...and then strolled back to the main square. (Mindy - On the way, we finally found the print we were seeking with the puppy on the bridge!) Decided to hit a concert - which was (of course) back at the Prague Castle! We saw the Prague Orchestra in St. George's Basilica (originally built ~985) - on the Castle grounds. Very cool...except for the mad dash we had to make to get there after getting all dressed up for the event! After the concert, we walked around the castle and took in more sights. The Church of St. Vitus was amazing...then walked into the town and found a Budvar (or two) at a cafe next to St. Nicholas' church. We "budvar'd" our way back to the bridge (we did stop at the cafe at the base of the bridge!). Walked across the bridge at about 10pm just as it was getting dark. This was probably one of the most beautiful sights we've ever seen...the view of the castle was tremendous, the bridge wasn't too crowded, and the views of the city just gorgeous. We ended up back in the square for a final Pivo of the evening...again, a gorgeous night.

This morning we did see the two churches we missed yesterday, strolled aruond town, had some more gelato, and a final Budvar. Now...off to lunch, then to Stockholm!

Miss all.

Another Day in Praha!

Our dinner last night at the Kinksy Palace was great. Steve had frog legs...I had more foie gras. The meals were also very good...a cute place all in all. We were exhausted aftewards so turned in relatively early. Steve & Mindy left early this morning - very sad for all! Mark and I slept in late...I spent the morning shopping in Stare Mesto for Bohemiam crystal and other goodies. Much fun! Until I spent 30 minutes trying to find our hotel to drop off the loot. That's what I get for not taking a map I guess....(Mike, if you are reading this - you'll appreciate that comment!).

Today Mark and I are off to amble a while...I'm sure a Pivo isn't too far away. And perhaps a gelato or two. Miss all!

Praha--Day 3

Another beautiful day in Praha after an evening and morning of rain. We finally got to see the Clock Tower do it's thing...very cool. We strolled the streets, bought crystal, visited St. Nicholas's Church, had cappuccino and pivo....encountered our first mean waiter at lunch, who didn't like that we wanted to share a pizza. Crossed the Charles Bridge....visited the second St. Nicholas's Church (yes, there are two) and strolled around Little Quarter. Back over the Bridge after sitting on the river with a Pivo. Wandered thru the Jewish Quarter and saw Praha's version of 5th Avenue (the one place in CZ where the prices are as high as the US). WE booked our final dinner together at an upscale Czech place...the Kinski Palace restaurant. Mindy and Steve head out tomorrow a.m. and Mark and Amelia will have two more days in Praha! Ahoj!

We're off and exploring!

We woke up to rain...but it seems to have subsided so are making a quick outfit change and then will be off to explore. Heading out to the shops and to see a few churches. We still haven't caught the astronomical clock...but have a few more hours to get there on time. Miss everyone!

Praha!

We arrived safely in Praha and began our walking tour of the city...it's been two days and our feet are dog tired but we are having a great time! We toured the New Town and Wencelsas Square...checked out Powder Tower and Thomas Tower (too tired to climb up)....the Old Town Square and Charles River Bridge. We met Amelia's old roommate from college Cackie and her husband Rob and daughter Allie...they came to visit us from Germany. We had a great time. Met up again today in the Jewish Quarter...it was packed but we saw all the key sights. After saying goodbye to Cackie, Rob and Allie, we marched on to the Castle. We rented the English audio tour and can tell you every minute detail of the Church and Castle. After a full day without climbing steps, it was time....287 curvy steps later and we were on the top of the church looking down on Praha. Believe it or not, the climb down was scarier than the climb up...as we fought our way down a 12 inch wide curved staircase while people were climbing up! Time for a PIVO.....we "budvar'd" our way home (that's our favorite Pivo), hit the square and attempted for the 4th and 5th time to see the Clock Tower do it's thing...too bad the Pivo interfered. Good thing we have tomorrow. We miss everyone...our feet are very tired but we have to push on to dinner!

The end of Tabor and on to Praha (Prague)

We continued our day of sightseeing and climbed to the top of two towers....164 steps and 200 steps each...our legs will pay for this....we rewarded ourselves with a Pivo and continued on our journey around Tabor....Steve, Amelia and Mindy descended into the underground tunnel (yes more steps) and it was very creepy. They go all under the city...can't tell you much more because the tour was in Czech (and as you know we have only mastered about 5 words). We headed out in search of Garnet Rock...more steps but no rock! Oh Well. After seeing every major attraction in town, we headed to dinner and then a nightcap (you guessed it...more pivo)....now, we finally got to experience the Czech pub life....we hung out at a pub and were entertained by the singing futball (that's soccer for you in the US) team ....well into the night ...we closed the place. They even played a set for us...the only Americans in the bar...now it was all Beatles songs, but at least we could finally sing along. p.s. we have this all on tape! Ahoj! On to Praha!

Mid-day in Tabor

We've been touring the town today. Went to the botanical gardens, walked along a lake that was created a LONG time ago for drinking water - didn't look too tasty, saw some farming areas and the smallest houses. Then we found the world's most dangerous playground...Steve has this captured on video. Weather has been AWESOME! Hot, but so far not rain.

We're off to see the remaining three sites in the town. It's very cute - but definitely under construction. Mindy and I think this area os probably the next Tuscany...

More later. Still miss all!

We're in Tabor!

Had a great night last night touring the restaurants and bars of C. Krumlov. Tried to hear a rather "bluegrass" type band - but couldn't get a seat and they wouldn't serve us a beer on the side. So ended up having dinner on the river, watched a man fishing with a large net, went to the Horor Bar (it was a little creepy!), the Youth Hostel bar (some 70's wanna-bes in there...we raised the average age), and ended up at a little mod/trendy bar. Plenty of Pivo was had for all.

Today, we got up ant about ok (Mark and Amelia actually went for a run/walk around the castle!). Then we took off for the Budvar brewery in Cesky Bujedovice. The tour was cool - included a tasting of FRESH (unpastuerized!) Budvar...as if we needed more. We've now just arrived in the Hotel Dvorak in Tabor and are off in search of medieval history. Later! We miss everyone...

A bit of sight seeing today after sleeping in.....we toured the Castle but decided to skip the Torture Museum (too gruesome). We visited the church...a must do in Europe...then found our way to some Pivo! Now, Steve has become picky in his Pivo...it must be Budvar and it must be "on tap"...good for our high maintenance friend that we are in Budvar country and his needs can be met on every street corner. Went shopping....saw the opera singers practicing...and climbed 164 stairs, past the dungeon, to get to the top of the Clock Tower. All in all a great day in Cesky Krumlov. P.S. we expanded language to include AHOJ! which fortunately means Hello AND Goodbye so that combined with PIVO and PROSIM and we are all set. AHOJ from us!

We're in Cesky!

From Amelia: Ok - we made it safely! That's after leaving our garage door wide open at home (corrected by our nice car driver), and leaving a few other odds and ends unpacked...but arrived safely in Prague and made it to Cesky. (Our driver was stopped and given a ticket for talking on his cell phone though!!). We went for a quick run - believe it or not - and then commenced with the Czech pivo. Now I know what a real budweiser tastes like! The area is beautiful - lots of tourists. Dinner on the river...I had wild boar! Walked around all evening.
NOTE: My blackberry is NOT getting emails; although the phone seems to be working well. So...if you need to reach me...calling is the best way.

From Mindy: We too made it safely....after a long delayed flight to Munich and the fact that the rental car company (alamo) wouldn't let us take the car into Czech (a slight problem)...luckily Europe car came thru and we were on our way. We made it to Cesky and drove around for 45 minutes to find our hotel (steve was a little cranky!) ...but a nice tall Budvar made him very happy when we caught up with Amelia and Mark. After dinner, we made our way to a great little (and I mean little) bar with Gypsy's playing music...they actually CHEERED when we came in and we spend two hours indulging in the local brew...we CLOSED the place! Hmmm...a very nice first day!! We went to bed at 12....that means an all nighter......we are here on day two..and yes we did sleep in til 10...but we are raring to go! Talk to you soon. P.S. we miss Julia!!!!!

REALLY getting ready to leave!

Okay...now we are REALLY getting ready to leave....cramming all kinds of clothes into tiny suitcases and hoping they will all fit in the tiny European car we rented! Hopefully the laptop will work in Europe and our next update will be from Czech...with a big PIVO in our hands!

Getting Ready to Leave

We're getting ready for our trip to Czech Republic (Mindy, Steve, Mark and Amelia) and then on to Sweden (just Mark & Amelia). This means that we have to figure out how and what to pack, get our nails done, and check off a zillion things on a to-do list! We leave on Monday...more to come.