Off to Central Europe I Go and What Followed Thereafter.......

Saturday Last Day in Prague - Up early, stuff my dirty clothes in my suitcase, head downstairs for breakfast. I only have two hours to shop before the taxi arrives. High tail it down to the old part of town. Arriving at the first shop, handcrafted wooden kitchen utensils caught my eye the night before. Luckily for me, even though they didn't open until 10 AM I talked my way in by mentioning my early flight and having to leave early, I dropped a bit of cash. (I had to make it worthwhile for them to let me in.) Staggered back to the second shop, where I had been eyeballing the goods for two days without dropping a nickel, (KC). Second shop didn't open until 10, so I parked my self in the street on a marble bench to wait and people watch. Interestingly, its darn hard to ignore the beggers when they are tapping you on the shoulder and shoving their grimy hands in your face asking for money. (Note, I am hardened to beggars because of Mexico and not one KC was parted from my wallet) It seems the shop was pretty popular because two more groups of shoppers hung about waiting for it to open. On the stroke of 10, I leapt up and into the store. I already knew what I wanted. In about 15 minutes I was out the door and making for the hotel with a quick dash up to my room. Rearrangement of the suitcase was required, to make room for my loot and then it was down to check out and hop in the taxi. HL and I had a nice chat on the ride to the airport, she's a lovely person. The flight to Frankfurt was quick, I managed to get in a catnap on the plane and now here I sit in sun with a cool breeze blowing updating my blog. More details to follow with pictures to come. (because I forgot my drive adapter and can't download from my camera.)

End of Day 8 - Final group dinner, the specialty of the house; duck. Interesting dinner it was a close second for laughter. (Team dinner in Sofia wins the prize for laughter) Again, it was a shop until you drop. There were two interesting shops, both closed by the time we finished dinner. Note to self, return early on Saturday to enrich the Czech economy. Meet the rudest waiter from Prague possible at a cafe near our hotel while searching for an after dinner drink. He weaved his way over to our table and made the most of the eye rolling and impossibly terrible waiter behavior possible. I could hardly keep my tongue. Prague will not be remembered for it's customer service (see notes on other restaurants and service in future posts). I exacted my revenge when paying the tab. 196 KC, paid with 200 KC, when he stood there weaving in front of us waiting for more, my comment to him, "That's all I am going to pay for rudeness and eye rolling." Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a drink for every one he served. And yet that didn't stop him from behaving like an @$$.
Day 7 & 8 - Two whirlwind days of tours for embassy, businesses and more limping along for miles on my ankle. P&G was by far the best "global company" tour, but a local IT firm demonstrated the Czech's are making a name for themselves. Dinner on Day 7 "Pizza"? Not bad for Prague, but definitely not what I was expecting. I suppose it doesn't hurt to deviate from my strategy of eat, drink and be merry as though I am a local. We had great fun. I had no idea how hard people can shop!
Day 6 - Travel to Prague, but first a trip to the Museum of Archeology in Sofia and a bit of shopping. I couldn't leave without a T-shirt for Andrew and a few postcards. And of course a few trinkets as souvenirs. Arrival in Prague and I am pretty wrung out, not enough protein and water, top off needed in a serious way. Little time for a health break and we had a marathon tour of Prague. Just a side note, Prague is the total opposite of Sofia. Absolutely picturesque, an absolute solace to the eyes after Sofia's cold, damp, sterile concrete exterior. Back to the tour, everywhere you look architectural history surrounds you. Texture, form and color caress the eye. In short, the tour was fabulous, the guide did an excellent job. It was a marathon race and keeping up wasn't easy, but there would be no substitute for the level and depth of knowledge we gained during those three hours. Sore knees and one throbbing ankle aside, I love the city.
Day 4 & 5 - First round of meetings, interesting perspectives from local consulting firm, the embassy and bank. Wondering how Bugaria will succeed with corruption and lack of EU funds. series of meetings with businesses, the worst presentation, IT company (which remains nameless) offering services and support that couldn't run it's own equipment. Best presentation, construction and real estate services, very strategic and on top of it. He's slated to become one of the ministers in the newly formed minority government.Day 3 - Group assembles, the welcome dinner held at another local restaurant. Bulgarian liquor is nasty. Like drinking the wash water with grappa in it. There's too much food and it's full of salt. Diurectics here I come. Good thing I remembered my blood pressure medicine. See future blog posts for the details on firewalking. (no not me, but one of my colleagues)
Day 2 - Tough Day, still adjusting to time difference. Dinner at a local restaurant was the difference. Laughed and share a rumor that I still have a hard time believing. Two of our professors married to each other, didn't see that coming in a million years. Early to bed and trouble sleeping.
Day 1- Travel day. Up early, Andrew drove me out to the airport before work, (thank goodness). Checked my bags all the way through to Sofia. Spent some time pampering myself at the airport. What's a girl to do with four hours before her flight? Found out I don't need ID or boarding pass to go through Customs or Security while in Frankfurt. That's the beauty of flying on American! Lost Tom temporarily in Frankfurt, but he caught up with us before the flight to Sofia.

Finally Scrapbdazzled By My Absolutely Last Class and a Trip to Be Remembered