Up early in Prague – organized, packed, showered and dressed way before the 7:30 breakfast time. But that’s ok , no rush that way. Everything is in the car, when we finally head down to a quick breakfast. Out the door by 7:45 and on the road to the airport. Of course Alice has other plans for us – she insists on turning right onto a one-way road going to the left. Sigh. Obviously we refuse, so, Recalculating! She takes us through hill and dale – always the scenic route with her – but finally through town and toward the airport. Then we get into the tunnel.
Oy. The tunnel. Alice tells us we are going into the tunnel and we should stay to our left – the map even shows us staying in they left lane while the other move off to the right. Oh Alice! Sadly – as she is telling us to stay left – we see the signs for the airport going off to the right. Bummer! So we are now stuck in the tunnel – which seems to go on and on and on forever. And then, yes, our beloved Alice loses satellite reception. Joy!
So – here we are – trying to get to the airport for our flight to Barcelona – lost underground in Prague. What more could you want? We have the presence of mind to get out of the tunnel – who cares where – but we’re taking the next exit out – location be damned! We have no freaking idea where we are, but above ground is better than in an tunnel with no satellite – so we just drive until Alice comes back around and send us back in the direction of the airport. Frustrating! It may be time to trade old Alice in on a new Alice.
We finally make it to the airport, turn the car in, and walk a mile to Terminal 2 (it’s cold!!!). We’re so early, there is no check in counter yet, but I ask the information gal standing in front of a bank of check-ins and she tells us position number 204. Ok – we head over there and are first in line. Hopefully she’s right. While we wait a HUGE (75 people huge) group comes up behind us – and lines up in 205. We’re thinking – Uh oh – maybe we’re wrong. The gate girl comes out for 205….no one in 204…bummer…but then..yes! Luck is on our side, here comes 204 guy! We are #1 and checked in in a flash. Off to the gate with 2 hours to spare. Nice!
Flight is easy – it’s a typical Euro flight – queue up early, get on fast, get your overhead carryon space first. No frills airline – everything costs – but we don’t care – we spend our last Czech money on Cappuccinos in the airport. we’re good.
Off the plane,, we get our luggage (after a long while waiting) then hop the Aerobus. 5.90 Euros into town. Perfect! It’s a quick walk to the Continental Hotel right on La Rambla. We even have a balcony on La Rambla! Totally cool!
The Hotel is too cute. You have to buzz into your floor – and out. Automatic doors, but you have to buzz to get them to open. Wild – plus the décor is – well – schmaltzy 1900’s? Don’t know – but the communal areas are funky fun….
…and all of the rooms are pepto bismal pink!
Our room is facing La Rambla, so we get all the action. Which is totally fun to just sit and people watch on a Saturday night. It’s crazy!
Plus, on top of the normal craziness, there is an LGBT rally/protest going on, so there are marchers and parades ad music, all escorted by the local police. Always something!
We wander out ourselves, just walking around, getting re-familiarized with the area. We realize we’ve never really explored to the west of La Rambla, so we meander through the streets away from the madness, looking at restaurants, shops and people. On the way back we hit the Carrefour for supplies. OMG – it’s like a hurricane is coming or something. It is craziness personified in here – and the shelves are half bare. The Coke cooler up front is decimated, the bottles still in there are either laying on the shelves or precariously half sitting up against each other. Plus the door is open. Geez! The check out line is crazy as well. Wow – their night stockers will have a job to do! We grab sausages, beer, great wine for 1.99 Euros (French Sauv Blanc for heaven sakes!), then hit the check out line so we’ll be out before dinner. Zoo doesn’t even begin to describe that place.
Back to the hotel with our loot, we organize the room then head down to the “garden area.” This hotel has an added bonus – 24 hour snacks which consist of salads, fruit, pasta, bread, sweets and beer and wine. Yep – Beer and wine. We are of course, very content! We snack a bit, then head out to wander the area looking for tapas dinner.
When we finally head out for real food, we end up at Taberna El Papelon – which translates to the Taverna of Fools. Yeah, well, what can we say?
It’s a cool place – great atmosphere and really, good tapas – ham, cheese and olives! Plus the best wine – in a bottle for 2.20 Euros!
Back at the hotel, we have another couple of free beers and wine and then repair to our balcony and watch the masses on La Rambla – including the illegal hawkers with all their wares on white sheets with strings – so when they are rousted by the cops (which happens every hour or so) they just grab up the strings, make a huge purse or rucksack with with sale items and move off. It’s a choreography like nothing you have seen!
Nice evening watching the happenings on the La Rambla!
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