Call it an early Valentine's Day weekend, a babymoon, Beercation 2012 or just an opportunity to explore. We decided to book a long weekend trip to Prague via the night train in mid-February. Yes, we knew it would be cold in Prague in the middle of February. What we didn't know was that Eastern Europe would be hit by a deadly cold snap.
The trip started with the night train to Prague, where we shared our "couchette" with two other people. The train was fairly uneventful except that it broke down a few hours from Prague. Most people got off, but we decided to stay on. We started to get worried when the heat had been off in the train for awhile and we were getting cold, but fortunately, the engine was replaced and train was back on its way within 2 hours.
In Prague, it was bitterly cold, and M chickened out on quite a bit of sight-seeing, so K took the lead on scoping out the sites, bringing M back later.
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| Grounds of Prague Castle, with Cathedral in background |
The next morning, we caught a tram across the river and up the hill to Prague Castle. Lots of buildings to explore (only a couple of which were heated). We also visited Golden Lane, full of cheek-to-cheek tiny cottages, which was cute. One interesting bit in the castle proper is the defenestration window, through which several councilmen were thrown during a time of unrest.
Prague is also famed for a 600-year old, still-working, astronomical clock. At each hour, figures animate, and the apostles make a procession. An interesting sight. Around the clock tower, the old town of Prague is just what you want from old-world Europe. Lots of pretty, ornate buildings, narrow winding streets, lots of restaurants and shops.
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| K at Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square) |
Several blocks over in the New Town, Wenceslas Square (really more of a broad pedestrian area with traffic on each side than a typical square) is home to even more restaurants and lots of hotels. We didn't see any demonstrations; either everyone was too content to protest, or it was too cold for them to be out.
The big, historic Czech National Museum building at the upper part of the Wenceslas Square was closed, but the smaller, newer wing next door was open. Upon entering, the receptionist informed us that only two display areas were open - however, these focused on science and engineering developments in the Czech Republic, so we were sold! Who would have known that two Czech brothers developed a better kind of plow! More impressive for two engineers working with pharma/medical devices, was the erector-set contact lens molding unit that a Czech scientist developed - it looked incredibly primitive by today's standards, but it was clearly functional and repeatable enough to not only prove that the contact lens idea worked, but per the informative sign, this little workcell was used to make production volumes of lenses! There was also a big poster of Gregor Mendel and his pea plants. Neither of us remembered Mendel being Czech, but we certainly remembered his name and his contributions to genetics.
The big, historic Czech National Museum building at the upper part of the Wenceslas Square was closed, but the smaller, newer wing next door was open. Upon entering, the receptionist informed us that only two display areas were open - however, these focused on science and engineering developments in the Czech Republic, so we were sold! Who would have known that two Czech brothers developed a better kind of plow! More impressive for two engineers working with pharma/medical devices, was the erector-set contact lens molding unit that a Czech scientist developed - it looked incredibly primitive by today's standards, but it was clearly functional and repeatable enough to not only prove that the contact lens idea worked, but per the informative sign, this little workcell was used to make production volumes of lenses! There was also a big poster of Gregor Mendel and his pea plants. Neither of us remembered Mendel being Czech, but we certainly remembered his name and his contributions to genetics.
One of the big drivers to visit the Czech Republic was the beer. Czechs are the largest per-capita beer consumers in the world, by far. According to a nice French book on beer from a coworker, Czechs drink 159 liters per person per year. Germany, arguably known for heavy beer consumption (think Oktoberfest) weighs in at 122 L/person/year. The UK, with its pub culture, is at 97 L/pers/year. And the US is at 84L/pers/year.
There are many large Czech beer (Pivo) brands, and we saw several proudly displayed on signs in Prague. By visiting different restaurants throughout the visit, and taking some rest-stops in our meanders through town, K had an opportunity to try several different brands. Pilsner, originating in the Czech Republic, was a common style, but generally clean and well-done.
Traditional Czech fare is not the most vegetarian friendly, but we did find several traditional items for M. At our first lunch, while K sampled different Pivos and had sausage soup, M had several non-meat sides, including fried bread. We were maybe expecting something like texas toast, but it was a thick slice of bread fried rock hard in a deep fryer, served with several cloves of raw garlic; really not sure why this would be a regular part of any culture's diet...
However, we did eat at a great Thai restaurant (though K was a little the worse for wear later) and a nice little Italian restaurant near the Czech National Museum.
The night train back to Switzerland was about the same as the outbound train ride, except for one stop in Dresden. Apparently, a large group of Neo-Nazis decided to stage a protest at the train station, a separate group of counter protestors also thought the train station would be a good venue, and a sea of police officers were present to watch both groups. Lots of chanting. Lots of people walking around. LOTS of police. The stop took about 2 hours longer than expected, but then we were rolling again.
K had a business trip to Puerto Rico the last week of February. The heat and humidity seemed a nice break from CH winter - except there was a warm snap that week in CH as well! K found some time early one morning to walk on the beach and dip his toes in the ocean, but most of the time was spent in conference rooms or at dinner with coworkers. He did spend one entire evening at a Babies-R-Us, goggling at all the selection, and trying to find everything on the shopping list M had provided - and then arranging, and re-arranging, his suitcase to make everything fit.
M's pregnancy continued well as the weeks progressed, but the baby was in no hurry to leave the womb. At 36 weeks, M was having a lot of contractions, and we went in to the hospital, but that faded and everything returned to normal.
The Swiss term is calculated at 40 weeks, but at "term day", baby was showing no signs of coming out. The days continued to pass, and except for M getting tired of being pregnant (and being tired, as sleep was tough for her), no changes from the baby.
At 41weeks, we had another check-up, and everything was fine, but no progress, so we scheduled the induction for 2 days later. However, the next day, baby decided it was time. After some late night "cramps", we went back to the hospital early Sunday morning (01:39). Just under 7 hours later, an exhausted M gave birth to a healthy baby girl, C. M was relieved. C was not so thrilled. K didn't know what to think.
The girls stayed in the hospital until Wednesday, when we all came home to introduce the new addition to Major and Minor (they weren't very impressed).
In the past month, everyone has been healthy, though M is having even more challenges sleeping than during the 3rd trimester (though now the challenges aren't from internal discomfort) - on the bright side, we can walk around town for more than an hour without needing a pit stop. And, the weather in May was unusually nice, giving some great opportunities to walk around town with C in a carrier.
C is growing well.
We're been Skyping with family quite a bit, and have been astounded at the gifts and well-wishes that keep pouring in from friends and family.
We have a lot to be very, very thankful for.
There are many large Czech beer (Pivo) brands, and we saw several proudly displayed on signs in Prague. By visiting different restaurants throughout the visit, and taking some rest-stops in our meanders through town, K had an opportunity to try several different brands. Pilsner, originating in the Czech Republic, was a common style, but generally clean and well-done.
Traditional Czech fare is not the most vegetarian friendly, but we did find several traditional items for M. At our first lunch, while K sampled different Pivos and had sausage soup, M had several non-meat sides, including fried bread. We were maybe expecting something like texas toast, but it was a thick slice of bread fried rock hard in a deep fryer, served with several cloves of raw garlic; really not sure why this would be a regular part of any culture's diet...
However, we did eat at a great Thai restaurant (though K was a little the worse for wear later) and a nice little Italian restaurant near the Czech National Museum.
The night train back to Switzerland was about the same as the outbound train ride, except for one stop in Dresden. Apparently, a large group of Neo-Nazis decided to stage a protest at the train station, a separate group of counter protestors also thought the train station would be a good venue, and a sea of police officers were present to watch both groups. Lots of chanting. Lots of people walking around. LOTS of police. The stop took about 2 hours longer than expected, but then we were rolling again.
K had a business trip to Puerto Rico the last week of February. The heat and humidity seemed a nice break from CH winter - except there was a warm snap that week in CH as well! K found some time early one morning to walk on the beach and dip his toes in the ocean, but most of the time was spent in conference rooms or at dinner with coworkers. He did spend one entire evening at a Babies-R-Us, goggling at all the selection, and trying to find everything on the shopping list M had provided - and then arranging, and re-arranging, his suitcase to make everything fit.
M's pregnancy continued well as the weeks progressed, but the baby was in no hurry to leave the womb. At 36 weeks, M was having a lot of contractions, and we went in to the hospital, but that faded and everything returned to normal.The Swiss term is calculated at 40 weeks, but at "term day", baby was showing no signs of coming out. The days continued to pass, and except for M getting tired of being pregnant (and being tired, as sleep was tough for her), no changes from the baby.
At 41weeks, we had another check-up, and everything was fine, but no progress, so we scheduled the induction for 2 days later. However, the next day, baby decided it was time. After some late night "cramps", we went back to the hospital early Sunday morning (01:39). Just under 7 hours later, an exhausted M gave birth to a healthy baby girl, C. M was relieved. C was not so thrilled. K didn't know what to think.
The girls stayed in the hospital until Wednesday, when we all came home to introduce the new addition to Major and Minor (they weren't very impressed).
In the past month, everyone has been healthy, though M is having even more challenges sleeping than during the 3rd trimester (though now the challenges aren't from internal discomfort) - on the bright side, we can walk around town for more than an hour without needing a pit stop. And, the weather in May was unusually nice, giving some great opportunities to walk around town with C in a carrier.
C is growing well.
We're been Skyping with family quite a bit, and have been astounded at the gifts and well-wishes that keep pouring in from friends and family.
We have a lot to be very, very thankful for.
Lessons learned:
1. The couchette bunks on overnight trains really are not appropriate for 6 to 7 month pregnant lady who doesn't sleep very well.
2. Tiring easily, having a low tolerance for cold weather, navigating huge icy patches and having to go to the bathroom every 20 minutes makes sight-seeing in Prague not as pleasurable as it could be for a very pregnant lady.
3. It is very common in Switzerland for practically everyone you know (including coworkers) to visit you in the hospital during your stay after you have a baby. M declined, which wound up being for the best because the hospital environment stressed her out. However, that didn't stop the visitors for her roommate from coming and coming.
3. It is very common in Switzerland for practically everyone you know (including coworkers) to visit you in the hospital during your stay after you have a baby. M declined, which wound up being for the best because the hospital environment stressed her out. However, that didn't stop the visitors for her roommate from coming and coming.
