Hotel U Pramenu Plzen

... of old time beer making equipment, and beer bottling equipment and capping. We also got a small coin which was used in payment in olden times. Workers with this coin were entitled to a beer. We turned in our coins to get a nice beer. As we were running behind, our guide asked if it was ok for us to eat here as well. We each got a nice bread bowl full of goulash soup and then a plate of bread ...

... in it's main square.).<br> <br>The brewery tour was 90 mins long and I'm sure the gentleman conducting the tour was the human muse for the creation of 'The Count' on sesame street, his hair didn't move, sadly there were no mirrors anywhere so I couldn't check for a reflection... He was a brilliant tour leader and was happy to answer any ...

Today we went to the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzen. Pilsner, the type of beer, originated here, where Pilsner Urquell was brewed from local crops and local mineral water. The tour was awesome. We saw the traditional brew kettles and the modern ones, as well as a very modern new packaging plant. We also tasted some unpastuerized beer directly from fermenting barrels.<br>

... we camped at this weird, seemingly abandoned hotel. After we ride miles out of our way to get there this lady tells me in broken few words and mostly hand gestures that we can't stay there it's only for people of an association. I'm not sure if it was my puppy dog eyes or my deadly looks but in the end she let us camp out back. It was kinda weird because we were the only ones there.

... nipped in the bud. Czech is a whole different ball game. Like cricket. It sorta resembles something familiar, but you soon realize everything is differnt. Differnt field, different rules, different variations on familiar things. Even the liquid refreshment is different ...rather than breaking the action for tea, they break for beer here. And sadly, I have NEVER figured out cricket. Perhaps the beer will do the trick and I will eventually remember how to say hello without my crib notes.

... Czech of course. Funnily enough, Grandad found it hard to grasp that I didn't speak Czech and chatted to me, directing questions and jokes, to which I tried to formulate appropriate responses. I wasn't too successful though. He leaned over to Alex and said frustratedly 'I don't think she understands me!' Back in Prague, dinner at the dog pub (I told you!)

... up-to-date Lonely Planet guide book that I will buy in Delhi. The timetable of my proposed journey around India is in a clockwise direction. Anti-clockwise presented a few unsolvable logistical problems. All of this will be achieved with a 30 day Indrail train pass and the very efficient computerised advanced train booking system that Indian Railways installed over 20 years ago. The places I shall vist go something like this, but maybe with some ...

... of the earliest Kautsky lady that we know of. I had information stating that the early Kautskys were buried here. There were no markers anywhere, but it was evident that this had been a resting place. We were not able to find any other grave yards in the town, although we did look. Unfortunately, I gained no insight that the Kautsky family did not already know. Instead, I gained perspective which I had not had before. I now can visualize the area where these ancestors once ...

... you with prices. We have one just about 10 meters from our front door. It's time for more thoughts and observations. Race relations here are different. It always strikes me when I hear a person of color speaking a foreign language. I don't know why. Anyway, the Black people here are don't seem to suffer discrimination. One sees many interracial couples and groups of people, which include blacks and whites acting as equals. The Roma or Romany (Gypsies), however, are a ...

... is a 1920's row house. There are four units in their building. It is historically important and protected by the national historic buildings program. They are returning it to its 1920's beauty. Lots of work and lots of money. They were meeting with the contractor and architect when we got there. They hope to be in by next summer. They were familiar with A Year in Provence and said that Maly(spelling?) only got half the story. It is a very large, corner unit and will be ...