One thing is certain. I’m starting to get the rhythm old train travel. On this trip it’s been about getting to the station early, scoping out where the gates are, where the trains arrivals and departures are being posted and where to get a snack.

Got very little sleep the night before. That’s what comes of a traditional German dinner complete with an after dinner smoke.

Got up bleary eyed. One more fabulous breakfast then gathered my belongings and headed for the station. Decided to take the metro this time. It was, of course, faster and cheaper than a cab. Wandered a bit. Got my bearings and when the train arrived I boarded. Interesting that the further east I go the fewer amenities there are on the train, techno amenities I mean. From Paris to Amsterdam there was free wifi. From Amsterdam to Berlin, no wifi but there were plugs for charging up devices. From Berlin to Prague there were no charging plugs, but the train crew did come by selling drinks, and newspapers. I imagine that If I kept going east I would see old ladies getting on the train with some chickens and the family pig on a leash.

The sun was breaking out over Berlin as the train pulled out. Seeing the city under sunlight made me want to try this town out again. I paid too much attention to the past on this trip. That is over, let it be gone. I guess that is a lesson that stretches beyond the limits of this solo travel mission that I’ve set myself on. Yes I’ll admit it now that I’ve held on to some hurts of the past. And I’ll say further that the hold the past and I have on each other is beginning to slacken.

Sat across from a friendly guy named Trevor, an attorney from South Africa. We chatted amiably and pointed out interesting sights as the train passed them. It was really something to see this old countryside punctuated now and then with an old castle sitting atop a steep hill. I am soooo not in SoCal anymore.

As ever, the movement of the train lulled me to sleep. Before long I heard the conductor announce something that had the word Praha in it. I figured it was getting tube time to hit the streets again… The streets of Prague.

As usual, when I got to the station Immediately made My reservation for the next leg of the journey. I was chatting with the ticket agent, a good natured looking woman with a quick smile and lank blond hair, and mentioned that Prague is a beautiful city. She was startlingly frank in her reply “to visit is nice but to live is no good”. I didn’t ask why just sort of said “ah then it’s good that I’m only visiting”. She laughed.

Got a cab outside the station and he overcharged me for the ride. He seemed to know that I knew and pointed out city highlights as he drove Pell Mell into the narrow streets of old town Prague. I actually got a little rattled and fastened up my seatbelt.

I can’t properly describe Prague except to say that it is a beautiful and ancient city that looks much as it must have during the Renaissance. You just have to see it to believe it. I will be back.

Wandered a bit. Had a dinner of ham, duck, beef and dumplings a long with lots of beer and then crashed. A full on assault of the city would happen in the morning.