Auf Wiedersehen Vienna~ Guten Tag Prague

 

Our last night in Vienna was fun.  We met my cousin Dottie and her husband Jeff in Town Center for a drink and had a great visit.  They were in Vienna for a convention, which just happened to coincide with our short stay in this wonderful city.  We talked about all the places we've traveled over the years and were amazed at how many of the same countries we had both visited.  After a couple of hours, they were off to meet up with their group for dinner and we went back to have a bite at our hotel.

We wanted to be sure to say good-bye to a couple of new friends we recently made who work in the Hilton Executive Lounge.  We were so happy to have met Mary Weymann and Elisabeth Hohl, who were part of the best staff we have ever encountered at a hotel.  They not only helped with our passport issue, but provided suggestions on local attractions and guidance on getting around Vienna throughout our stay. Both Mary & Elisabeth are now following my blog and have become Facebook Friends!

We arrived in Prague yesterday afternoon after a 4 1/2 hour train ride from Vienna. We made it a point to be on high alert while on a train or at any train station. I wore one of those waist belts with my passport and credit card in it. They weren’t going to get me this time. We were very careful if someone were to come up to us and ask to look at their ticket.  That is one of the ways they distract people as their partner in crime is lifting something out of your purse or backpack.  They’ll show you their ticket and ask “Is your ticket the same as mine?” expecting that you’ll reach into your bag and pull yours out, giving them access to whatever is in there.

I snapped a picture of a girl we believe to be a pickpocket.  She stood in a carefully picked out location in the Vienna Meidling train station, acting like a predator on the prowl.  She watched every one as they passed with close attention to their backpacks, purses or back pockets - places where valuables and tickets are most often kept. At her side was a scooter which would assure her a fast getaway.  At one point she took out a very small phone and said something to someone and quickly put it back in her pocket.  Often pickpockets work in pairs, one of them scopes out the situation and then brings in the other for the dirty work.  We were very happy to get to the hotel without further confrontations.

After checking into the hotel, we took a short walk along Prague’s picturesque streets.  We were here in Prague 10 years ago and were pleased to find that our favorable impression of the city had not changed.  Prague is a great city to walk, with cobblestone streets, outside cafes, 500 year old buildings and a dizzying array of shops, restaurants, and outside activities. 

In Town Center we found an outdoor restaurant where we could people-watch while enjoying dinner. We both had the “Prague Style Beef Stroganoff” which was good. Without exception the local beers and wines have been great throughout our trip. We’ll have to walk a little faster when we get home to work off all the Croatian, Austrian, Hungarian and Czech beers.

It started to rain when we were out walking but isn’t it something when you’re on a vacation, it’s all just part of the ambiance.

We’ve stayed at a lot of Hilton’s over the years and although most have been very good, the Hilton Prague is among the best – The Executive Lounge is exceptional.    

On the top floor of the Hilton there is a bar called The Cloud  The Cloud has a night club atmosphere and provides an outside area overlooking the city, which is great for a glass of wine and a place for Denny to enjoy a cigar.  Oh what a view!

This morning we’re getting ready to walk to the Charles Bridge and other attractions, while enjoying all the Sunday activity.