July 28, 1998

Weather

It has been an unseasonably cool and wet summer.  Spring was exceptionally hot and dry.  Not hot as in the 80’s, but hot as in the 70’s.  Maybe one or two days were in the 80’s.  It makes for perfect weather for bumming around the city.

Since the middle of June it has been on the cool side, which was good while Mom was here because of all the walking.  We had to use an umbrella darn near every day.  It never was a down pour or a lot of wind with the rain that you got soaked from it., just sprinkles or a straight rain that lasted a few minutes. 

The rains are causing flooding in the far northern and far southern parts of the country.  These areas have the big mountains so all that rain comes washing down into the valleys.  The small dams have not been holding and/or the water is just going right over the top.

Yet a couple of days last week were extra warm.  We even left the windows closed one day to keep the apartment cooler.

Military Museum

Finally we got into the military museum.  We tried early in the spring only to learn it is open May through October only.  When we tried in May it was closed “Until June 6th” for reconstruction.  The end of June it said the reopening date was delayed again until early July.  We gave it a couple of extra weeks and tried again last week.  It was open!

It didn’t compare to the one in Vienna, but it was worth the $1.50.  It concentrated on the Thirty Years War more than anything else.  It had a tremendous gun collection with examples from every country.  Most labels were only in Czech.  One large area was in Czech and English.  It appears they have some areas still closed off. 

We enjoyed it.  The museum is just outside the first courtyard of the castle.  I have always liked walking the castle area and then going down the south side to Lesser Town.  It makes for a nice long walk.  Gets a little crowded this time of the year.  I’m always surprised how many people walk UP to the castle.  It’s a whole lot easier to spend the 30 or 40 cents for the tram to take them up, and then walk back down.   

Observations:

•  The Bronco/Blazer type sports vehicles and mini vans have become real popular this summer.  Still, we have seen only two pickup trucks.

•  We had our 20th anniversary in June.  What a marvelous anniversary gift to each other - living in Praha!

•  We ate at TGIFriday’s Saturday evening.  What a waste.  Slower than slow service.  We splurged and each had a steak.  I could cook better.   Oh well, it was some place different.  Been there, done that, ain’t buy’n no T-shirt.

That’s it from us for now.  We leave for Munich the 11th and get back the 19th.  We’re going to rent a car in order to take a few side trips.  Wonder how that will feel?  We haven’t driven a car in nine months.