Tom's challenge

How to tax Cyndy's brain today? I know, I'll throw a bunch of random photos on the blog, and see if she can write something coherent to tie them all together!!!



So let's see - We have had a few days of very high temperatures and lots of sun throughtout the day, topped off by great thunderstorms in the early evening. This storm produced a double rainbow!



When it stopped raining, we went out for a bit to see what we might find. We found a new market not far from our flat that is bright, modern, and clean. It is amazing to us how many products can be displayed and marketed from small stores like these. And yes, Susan, that looks like another Christmas tree!!

Another day while riding the trams, Tom took the photo below. He was quite taken by how close together the tracks are, and the lack of space when they are passing each other!

We were riding the trams to the Prague marketplace, Prazska Trznice, which has some great old buildings. This area that is located in Prague 7 used to be the slaughterhouse for all of Prague.

I didn't know that before, I just looked it up! Anyway, there are some decent shops in the complex- this "hall" is all fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Some of the chain stores have outlets here, ( I bought a great pair of sandals at Bata) and there is even a McDonald's for those not brave enough to try the local fare. We found a furniture store, a couple of antique stores (pricey!!) a few second-hand shops (nothing like yours, though, Diane) and a weird Army store.

But what we found so fascinating were the acres of small Vietnamese ( or other Asian-owned) booths, selling all kinds of cheap clothing, shoes, handbags of all varieties, household goods, and weapons. We would walk down one aisle of such booths, and realize that there were hundreds more just around a corner or through a passage. If we stopped to look at something, we were immediately approached by a person carrying a calculator- who would offer a discount on whatever the item might be. The items were basically the same every 5th shop or so, and one jacket that Tom looked at which was "discounted" to 1200cz at one shop, and then reduced to 900cz as we walked away, was offered to him around the corner for 500cz. We didn't buy anything, but it was fun to watch the people!

And lastly, we have been trying to get out for some regular exercise every day. I finally figured out that I am not walking as far as I thought in the course of a normal day, so we now head off to the park for some serious exercise.

The park is on the top of a hill, with many, many, many steps leading down to the road beside the river. We walk down the steps, and then of course have to go back up. I have tried to count them on the way up, but I am usually puffing so hard after the first few levels that I lose count. I know that there are over 100 though! Why are real stairs so much harder than a stair stepper??

I thought Tom was photographing the lovely staircase we needed to ascend, but it turned out he found the hole at the base of them much more interesting. This is an example of the kind of things you would never see in the States, but abound here. We've been told that if you stepped in this hole and hurt yourself, it would be your fault for not watching where you were walking.

That's all for now- as you can see we haven't had much excitement lately!