Saturday, September 21

Another lovely fall day. The leaves here are turning brown and yellow, and many have fallen. I’ve been wearing a sweater, but often have tied around my waist. Larry’s usually in short sleeves.

 Today we decided that we had to explore our route to the airport for Monday. There is an airport shuttle from Namesti Republiky, which is easily reached by tram from very near where we’re staying. We tried it all out, checked the schedules and are confident we can do it, as long as we can wake up by 5 am! Satisfied with that, we visited the tour vendors and arranged for tours for today and tomorrow. Then we strolled through

the Josephov area. That’s the Jewish area, with many synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. The cemetery is closed because of flood damage, and it’s Saturday so the synagogues were not open to the public either. We may have time to go back Sunday.

 We tried to climb the powder tower, but I couldn’t do it – too claustrophobic. So instead we sat in front of the building and surveyed the activity on the square while we ate a leisurely lunch.

Afterward, we boarded a tour bus for Kutna Hora where we spent the afternoon. It’s a quiet little city an hour or so away. It was a silver-mining centre and the country’s official mint. It fell on hard times when the silver dwindled, so is largely untouched. Steeply winding cobbled, narrow streets. A wonderful church with a fantastic roof. Many sculptures, and the old mint.

On the way back we stopped at an ossuary. How weird! Human bones in great pyramids, and turned into chandeliers and wall decorations! We went inside in spite of our “willies” over the crypt in Vienna.

Back to our room for a quiet, late dinner and restful evening. Tomorrow is our last day. We are starting to look forward to home.