We got into Prague right on time last night, 10:00pm. We got off the bus and went down an escalator into an underground train station area and saw Laurel and James coming up the escalator across the plaza from us. After a glorious reunion they packed us up in their minivan and we drove to the mission home. It was too dark to see much, but we got a few glimpses of the city. We then stayed up for a few more hours talking to Laurel and James. It was so great to be with them again!
This morning we all slept in. The McConkie kids were already at school before we were up. Carly and I went for a walk with Laurel around the park near their home. We got our first views of the river and the bridges and the castle.
After a casual breakfast, we got in our walking clothes and headed out for the day. We walked from the mission home to the castle, a beautiful walk along cobblestone paths surrounded by forest and grass and beautiful old buildings and walls.
We entered the castle through the “back” gate where they have two royal guards standing at attention. They were trying to look formidable, though they were not as disciplined as British royal guards.
Once inside the castle, the girls were in instant photo mode. Actually, they had been in photo mode since the beginning of the walk, but it took on a whole new meaning when they saw the cathedral.
We went inside the cathedral and admired the architecture and the stained glass, then back outside and around the whole castle complex. We bought lunch at a little café and ate it on some cool benches in the shade of the buildings next to the cathedral. It was just spectacular!
After walking the castle area we exited through the same back gate and then walked down into the moat and around to the river side of the castle. From there we crossed the river on a bridge just down from Charles bridge and then walked to the Charles Bridge for another flurry of photos and staring.
Then we walked further into town and found a tram that took us back to the mission home. The girls thought it was pretty cool to ride on a real street car.
After we got back to the mission home, Laurel and I took George and Hyrum to their tennis lessons. They are getting pretty good! I think Hyrum could take me. He’s got a natural backhand, and a pretty mean topspin forehand. I would have to live or die on my serve J. I had never been on a clay court before. It looked like a challenging surface to get used to. I think I would lose some hamstrings sliding around on the loose surface.
The girls went with Evie to take more pictures from the park looking toward the river.
Then we all went back to the house and went to dinner at this great little restaurant near the home. James and Wilson didn’t make it because Wilson was at the emergency room getting a cast on the finger he broke at school today. Poor guy! It is his shooting hand too. He was in good spirits, though.
The McConkie kids are so great! They really seem to be in their element here in the big city. Nothing intimidates them.
Finally, we went to dinner at a very fancy hotel down the street. When we got back home, we all sat around the dining table and just talked as family for a few hours. It's so great to be together again!
Here are some photos!
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