Czech Christmas

My apologies for lack of posts since we came to Prague. There is absolutely nothing reliable about the internet here. Before I get kicked off again, here is a list of places we've visited:

Natural History Museum- the books say it isn't worth a visit, but that's wrong! It was amazing! Tons of killer fossils and neato mineral samples, and a giant stuffed Mammoth head.

Old Town Square- the astrological clock is hard to figure out, but at the hour it bongs and a line of saints parade past the windows. Very cool! Also, the Christmas Eve mass was not really very "massy". It was more of a concert. Beautiful music (in Czech, so we didn't sing along) and millions of xmas lights.

National Opera- On Xmas day, we went to see a performance of the folk stories of the Czech people, performed mostly by children. It was incredible- the dancing was beautiful, and the songs were very cheery (which is odd because these are the grumpiest, rudest, most awful people in the world).

Museum of Communism- it really is above a McDonald's! And next to a casino! And down from Bennetton! It tells the story of how Communism began, and why it seemed like a good idea. Then it follows the path from the idealism of Marx to the abuses by pretty much everyone after Marx. It told the story of the "Velvet Revolution" (foreign media's name for the CZ's overthrow of Communism). It took Poland 10 years to beat Communism. Hungary, 10 months, East Germany 10 weeks. Czechoslovakia 10 days. Amazing to watch the video footage of people who look like most of us, dress like most of us, and are my Mom's age- peacefully marching in Wenceslas Square, and being beaten by police (uniformed and plain-clothed). But it worked, and Vaclac Havel (essayist and philosopher) was elected President.

Because I'm on Robert's computer (and my photos are saved on Tim's computer), no photos today. I will try to trick the internet gods into letting me blog tomorrow.

I hope everyone is well and had good holidays. We're all sick today, and taking a much-needed break from tromping all over Prague.

Ahoy! (Goodbye)
Dobre nacs! (Goodnight)