Prague - Our Final Day of the First Trip!

 Elva and I set out early to take the tram in the correct direction toward the Old Town.  It was very easy to do because it was Monday and the routes were running correctly. (In truth it would have been easy to do the night before if we had paid attention and not rushed.)

 This tram had only one car and most had at least three.  

But the #6 runs back and forth up and down Karlovy, almost like a shuttle bus.

 It would have been well worth taking the tram in the right direction at night because it went many places up the hills with views of the town below.  the lights would have been beautiful even in the mist.  But the heavier weather today made taking photos at the overlooks next to impossible.  Here you seen the kindergartners or young students taking a walk.  We thought it was clever that they wear the bright reflective vests.  Everywhere we went we saw these neat rows of excited kids being shepherded along by their teachers.

 In this square they kids stopped, unpacked their water bottles, took a drink, took one bite of a snack and packed it back up as their tram arrived.  Very well organized and timed perfectly.

 Not sure what this sort of random memorial was but we passed it after we exited the tram to walk up to St. Nicholas Church.  Turned out we couldn't go in because we had no more Czech money and they didn't take Euros.  The peek we had was of another ornate and classic cathedral.  It has a tower and the other day Jim and Richard left the group and climbed it.  They climb every tower and very quickly.  Jim got into stair climbing we he chose that option to go to his 37th floor office every morning!

We stopped at the same McDonald's and again purchased a drink and ate our sandwiches made at the breakfast buffet.  But now I discovered that it had a lovely courtyard.  Too bad none of the many fountains in the city are turned on for the season.  The weather is too cold.

 Look closely to see Our Lady of the Mangles 

as we approached the Charles Bridge from the New Town side. 

It is said that if you are looking at the painting and the light goes out it is an omen of death.

The tram stops were very busy.  This one is a photo taken too late to really show you that, but the public transportation is very efficient.

We walked across the Charles Bridge in the direction opposite of when we crossed it with the group.  The different perspective and the time to stop and admire the statues, the artists, the performers and the interesting crowds made all the difference.  But the sprinkles started and we began to walk quickly through the large Market Square and up the winding narrow street to the tram stop, a #3.  It is pictured above.  After a short ride of just two additional stops we were back to our secret passage to our hotel.

We spent the next couple hours in our room, having dinner, packing, and preparing to leave Prague.  At 6:15 we had a meeting at the hotel where were introduced to Adrian who will be our Program Director for our Journey into Poland.  He is from Romania.  He does not speak Polish but seems like a nice guy.  The staff was a little late setting out wine, beer, and water for us so our group of 39 who are continuing on spent a few minutes chatting and beginning to recognize who was going forward.  We were glad that Clare and rosemary will be with us all the way to Warsaw but sad that Gerard and Norman would not. 

These kind of trips that keep you in close quarters over a long time make for good friends quickly!