I’m posting this from the gleaming stone lobby of Andel’s Hotel in Prague, a hyper-modern ultra-hip launch pad for the international business jet set. How, you might ask, did I—a sweaty, unwashed backpacker with a stinky pair of sandals and a horrible watch-tan—manage to secure accomodations here among the elite? Well, my brother helped. He left this morning in a taxi for the airport, and C., her sister, and I are left in the hotel until noon trying to see how many free services we can take advantage of before we leave. I’ve already enjoyed the luscious breakfast spread, but have yet to visit the solarium, sauna, or steam room. My complimentary copy of FT (The Financial Times, if you have to ask) is waiting for me on top of the DVD player in my room, as are unlimited cappuccinos in the fifth floor lounge.

Yesterday, I was reunited with my old friend Marcel, who is working on his PhD in English. He’s in Prague teaching at a summer institute. We lived together in Champaign, Illinois in 1993 when we were both students at the University of Illinois. It’s been at least eight years since I’ve seen him, though e-mail contact has occasionally happened. It was a beautiful reunion, and we plan to wander the parks and winding streets this afternoon, though we might instead choose to sit in a cafe and down espressos. C. and I are touristed out. Too many sights, too many castle tours, too many “KGB: Still Watching You” and “Praha Drinking Team” tee shirts.

Posting has been intermittent, or perhaps sporadic, and will only become more so. We leave for the Croatian coast tomorrow morning, and I suspect that internet cafes will not be quite as common there. Nor will want to take time out of our heavy beach schedule. I’ve got to even out this farmer’s tan I’ve acquired this week. The back of my neck is ten shades darker than the band under my watch. I’m not even going to talk about my sandal tan.

Paul, I feel like a terrible voyeur reading your blog to see what you and Corinne are up to. It feels dirty and wrong, but it can be so much more interesting than what my 8 year olds say during the day. Although only sometimes... One of you should email me and let me know what is going on with you guys and when you will join me in this expensive city. If you are nice, I could assist in an apartment hunt while I am in town.
-AAD ( or rather just for you ADD, ADHD, and my new favorite disorder ODD- oppositional defiance disorder)