Shopping and the Mayor's Residence...

Christy's Point of View (Because Mom is in bed!)

It was another fantastic day in Praha. We stared out with breakfast at the hotel. They have a large variety of 'normal' breakfast items, meaning eggs, sausages (smoked, and another variety that I have not ventured to try), toast/croissants, cereal, coffee cake, fruit, juice, tea, and coffee. But then there are some interesting new twists on breakfast. As you are well aware by now, that I'm not exactly a fan of processed meats that come from unidentifiable origins. And there are quite a few of those items on the buffet, and ones I steer clear of at all costs. But the thing that intrigues me, although not enough to try, is the one made of vegetables and held together by what looks like the goopy slime on SPAM! I bet the slim negates all of the nutritional value of the vegetable slices you might get. I read somewhere today that Czech food is heavy, fat, & nice. This definately gives you a new perspective on what you are eating.

After breakfast, I took some time to work on my presentation for tomorrow. We also checked in with our blog readers, sent some email, and chatted with Chet...you know my brother that feels he's the least loved out of my Mother's children? He informed me that he didn't really appreciate getting IMs from me at 4:30 am EDT. But at least he knows we were thinking of him and LOVE him!

Chet, Mom hasn't told me once on this trip that you make her wish she wasn't a mother! (For those that don't know, while on vacation this summer in Canada, Mom said "Chet, you make me wish I wasn't a mother!" OUCH! We've probably had the most contact with Chet & BJKA while on the trip...but we love all of you!

After I worked on my presentation we went on a little shopping excursion. By excursion, we mean we had to find our way to the mall. We tried this yesterday, but didn't quite make it there, well half way there. Our hotel key advertised a shopping area 5 minutes away using the public transport system. The directions were not very clear, so we had a great opportunity to wait at the bus stop before asking someone if the bus would take us to the shopping area. Nope...the bus would not take us directly there. Instead, we had to take the subway up to the end of the line at Letnany, board a bus, and that would drop us off at the shopping center. The end of the subway line was as far as we had gotten yesterday.

Let me tell you if you want to entertain my mother, just take her to a grocery store. The TESCO had a large selection of teas...I swear Mom was there a good 10 minutes looking at them. And you know what, she didn't even buy tea!!!

We chose to eat at the food court for two reasons... 1) We had a difficult time the day before finding a place that was open for lunch and 2) we wanted something lighter because we had a great dinner to look forward too. So we chose to eat at the place that serves authentic Czech food, or so we thought. We both got the same thing (Menu 3) because we couldn't say anything else. To indicate the '3' you should hold up your thumb, index, and middle fingers. The people in Central Europe get confused if you hold up your index, middle, and ring fingers! Mom made this mistake, but quickly realized why she was getting such a look. Menu 3 consisted of a chicken breast, mixed veggies (carrots cut into 2 shapes, broccoli, peas, cauliflower and red peppers), and potatoes that could be best described as 6 miniture hash browns from McDonalds. We also had a Pepsi.

After a bit more shopping, or should I say, browsing, we headed back to the hotel. I then finished my presentation for tomorrow. You can all stop worrying now...this is how things are done in my lab. I've fought it for as long as I can, and now just have to give in to procrastination. I'll just present my slides in the morning and not worry about it. I do a better job when I don't over prepare, and besides, I'm the first talk, so either people will 1) Still be in bed, 2) Still at breakfast or 3) Skipping out on the morning session to sight see. So I might just present to Mom, and the moderator tomorrow. Well, I guess Saska and Stephan will be there.

We left the hotel around 5 pm to go to the Conference Hotel where we got figured out which hall I'll be presenting in, and seeing the setup for the poster session. (No, I'm not involved in the poster session other than looking at other peoples posters. We had plenty of time to spare before leaving for a reception at the Mayor of Prague's Residence. So, Mom wanted to make lunch reservations at U Kalicha for tomorrow. We get 2.5 hours for lunch, so why not? This is Rachel's favorite place to eat from her trip to Prague in summer of '07. Anyway, this place serves real Czech food...so maybe we'll go light on breakfast in the morning.

We joined the group to leave for the Mayor's Residence and took the Subway just 3 stops down the A line and then a short 5 minute walk to the Residence. It is quite the extravagent place. Once we entered, we were ushered through a short hallway and then could take an elevator or the stairs. I took the stairs, 6 flights to go 1 floor, but Mom opted for the elevator. It was enclosed in glass. From my viewpoint above, it looked like a glass tube that had a pulley going down through it into the peaked roof made of plywood. I'm glad I took the stairs.

Once upstairs, we were greeted by waitors with glasses of wine or juice. Just the right thing to get people to talk. :) So there were a number of connected 'salons'. The second salon had a piano and bass player performing for us. And then it opened up into a large room set with tappas and a buffet line. They also had more wine and Pilsner Urquell to drink. I didn't want to mix my alcohols, so I stayed with the wine. TASTY! We finally got to taste the potato dumplings (periogies for all of you back home). And they are very good...no butter or toppings needed! They had a number of dishes including, fried fish, baked fish stuffed with spinach, several types of potatoes, beef, mushroom & onion sauce, and ham.

Through 2 more rooms there was the dessert buffet and coffee. Lots of little things to try, often filled with walnuts, cream cheese, poppy seed, or prunes. Yeah, I stayed with the walnuts and cream cheese stuff. Mom loved the poppy seed filled thing.

We had a great talk with Saska and Stephan, both from Switzerland. They are hosting this conference next year, and trying to talk me into going. We'll see what research I have to present at that time. Milos Klima also joined us. He is the man that organized this year's conference in Prague. Mom showed him her maiden name in an attempt to find out what it means, but once again we were told that the name is definately Czech, but no one knows the meaning.

Anyway, we had a great time at the reception, and then headed out to do some souvenir shopping. Well, we almost have all the souvenir's bought that we need too...except for me. I haven't filled Eric's t-shirt request. Tomorrow after lunch...I PROMISE!

Okay, Okay, Chet is now hounding me for this post, as it is now after midnight my time. And I have to be up early to get ready and leave for the conference hotel.

Good night!

Love,
Christy