Sunday March 31
Prague
In the US, the clocks “sprang forward” for Daylight Savings Time on March 10 – the day on which I arrived in Europe. So I thought I escaped that dreaded awkward change in time. But Europe doesn’t follow the same schedule – their time change was today at 2am.
I had set my alarm for 8:30am, to leave around 10:15am for the church service. I woke and looked at my Fitbit and it said 7:20am. Thinking that my Fitbit hadn’t yet synced with my phone for the new time and that it was actually 8:20am, I picked up my phone and it also said 7:20am. So I googled current time in Prague, and it was indeed 7:20am. Weird that my Fitbit automatically updated. So I went back to sleep for a bit.
At 9:15am, I heard church bells from somewhere nearby. They rang continuously until 9:30am – Happy Easter!
I left a little bit of laundry at the front desk, went down on floor to have breakfast downstairs, and then I ordered an Uber and waited. And I waited. And waited. And it went back and forth from 8 minutes away to 7 minutes to 6 minutes to 8 minutes to 7 minutes to 8 minutes… and I finally gave up. I installed the Bolt app, as they are a European ride service, and the car came a couple minutes later.
When the driver pulled over and said we were there, I looked around and asked him where was the church? He said this is the address. I got out and opened my Google maps and asked for walking directions, and looked up and it was in front of me.
Look closely – it is there. So I went inside. There was a large staircase going upstairs, so I walked up, but it just looked like an empty meeting room (and it was 10 minutes until 11). I came down the stairs again, and one of the men who was meeting for a Bible study saw me, and came out. He took me upstairs, and opened the door and introduced me to Pastor Nicole. The only other people in the room at that time were the two musicians rehearsing – one on the keyboard and one on the guitar. But Pastor Nicole couldn't have been more kind and welcoming. We chatted until the service started.
So it was a small room, only about 12 attendees besides those that were helping with the service, a contemporary worship service, in what was essentially a room. Not exactly what I had pictured for my Easter in Prague.
But it was perfect – Nicole was so welcoming, as were all the people there. She is originally from Iowa, and has served in churches around the world (Ghana, England, Hamburg Germany and more) as well as in the US (most recently there was north Georgia). I recognized 3 out of 5 of the songs – we first sang the traditional hymn Christ Is Risen, and then 2 songs I recognized from when I volunteered with the youth, and another song. Then the sermon, and a final song.
Nicole said that one of the church members, Tim, had invited everyone over to his “garden” for a cookout and we were all invited. So I rode along with Tim, Nicole, Nicole’s husband Kurt, and another gal, for a ride about 10 minutes away. Tim showed us his apartment, and we set up in the backyard. They grilled chicken, kielbasa, a Czech sausage, and some pork. There were lots of chips, and someone brought a French red wine and a bottle of homemade white wine (he is a teacher, and the wine was made by and gifted from one of his students).
The weather was nice – mild and a little overcast but that made it more comfortable and not hot. We just sat and talked for quite a while. It was just a wonderful afternoon, and such great people! I feel so blessed to have been welcomed so warmly by them all! Definitely an Easter to remember!
I left around 3:30pm and took Bolt back to my hotel. I thought about going out for a walk, but from my car ride back I could see the streets were as crazy busy with people as they had been yesterday. I wonder what it will be like tomorrow. At 5:30pm, I tuned in to the Live Stream and watched my Fort Collins Church’s Easter Sunday service.
After the service, I went downstairs to the front desk and asked if my laundry was ready, and it was. Great service on Easter Sunday! Then I went in to Taste and ordered the Rock and Roll sushi again. I ate it in my room went to bed early.
Monday April 1
Prague
I slept a little later today, and went down to breakfast around 10am, then I went for a walk – a bank ATM for Czech currency, past the Carlo IV (where Vic and I had stayed when we were here in 2018), Lindt store (of course), Pop Pause popcorn shop (got strawberry and salted caramel popcorn), and Futti Frutti for a fruit drink. There were still some squares with markets set up in them – I’m guessing these are for Easter Monday, as there are still a lot of tourists in town (although not as many as over the weekend).
Although this hotel (Hotel Rott) isn’t the fanciest, the location is amazing. I did a hyper speed video walking from the square with the Astronomical clock to the hotel – it takes about a minute.
One of the interesting things in Europe is that you walk down a street and you see building fronts, but there’s so much you can’t see. Often behind the buildings, or even a nondescript street front door, there are courtyards. Occasionally you are able to get a glimpse, either because someone opens a door or the door is open, or the entrance to the courtyard is open because there is a café or shop in the courtyard and you are welcomed in.
Back to the hotel room to work. My friend Amy lands at 5pm local time (Orlando to Charlotte to London to Prague). She has a transfer from the airport to the hotel, so I just waited for her to let me know she is here!
The benefit of carrying on a suitcase and having a private transfer waiting – Amy arrived at the hotel around 5:40pm. We went first to our room so she could leave her bag, and then we went around the corner to the square with the Astronomical Clock. The “street fair” was still happening, so still a busy place to walk around.
We wandered through the square, and then headed back around the corner and had dinner at Taverna Toscana, which was practically across the street from our hotel. It was a small place, but delicious Italian food! Then we headed back to the hotel and to bed.
