Cesky Krumlov and Prague, July 5

Today we woke up and packed, then went down, paid our bill, ordered our taxi for 12:15, placed our luggage with reception, as checkout was at 10:00, and then were out the door to have breakfast and see a few sites.  Our breakfast place was called Kolectiv and was fitted out with modern, elegant decor.  Alexandra had a macchiato and I had a cappuccino, and we both had a croissant with butter and marmalade.  Then we made our way to the St. Vitus Cathedral, which retains its Gothic vaulting and patches of medieval frescoes, as well as a Rococo organ case and a fabulously gilded pulpit.  Since we had been trying to get into the church for two days, it was good to find it open.  Practically next door to it was a glass shop with Sklo glass creations from CK.  I bought Alexandra an egg and myself a glass Christmas star, as well as a glass Christmas ball for Hart.  We went on to a photography gallery, where we saw two floors of the photos of Jan Saudek.  And finally, we went to the Mirror Labyrinth, touted as having the biggest number of mirrors in Europe, designed to create an effect of indefinite corridors and mirage.  It is followed by a unique crystal labyrinth made of clear glass.  Truly fascinating!  After that, we bought two traditional pastries, with walnuts and cinnamon, called "trdelniks."  A trdelnik is a traditional Hungarian cake, originally from Transylvania.  It is known in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria as well.  It is made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, then grilled and topped with sugar and walnuts.  We ate ours on a bench facing the Vltava River and watched the kayakers and canoeists navigating below.  At noon we returned to the hotel and soon afterwards departed for the train station.  Our train came on time, but due to track work, we stopped at a small town close to Tabor and caught a bus to Ceske Budejovice, from which we got back on a train to Prague, arriving about 15 minutes late.  Metro and tram connections, and we were back at our apartment, too late for a concert which Dempsey attended, but we are catching up with getting all those practical things taken care of which have to be done but constitute the proverbial "odious chores."  Staying put this evening will be a nice change.  Tomorrow morning we will have breakfast with Charles and Martin, and then spend the day with them visiting the Castle Gardens and the National Gallery to see Mucha's "Slav Epic."  Time is fleeing quickly, and Tuesday we are flying back to the United States.  But one thing at a time--it has rained in Prague, and we are looking at a placid evening, especially if the humidity tones down a bit!  Great weather so far, all in all!