{When planning our vacation, we could not get airline tickets out of Munich for the type of tickets we were using. We started looking at nearby international airports and availability from those. We were a bit disappointed that we couldn't find anything out of Germany and thought this trip might not work. Then I looked at a map again and thought, "Hey, there's Prague! That's where the Hatchels live!" Sure enough, we could get flights out of Prague (that went through Munich!) After checking to make sure they would be home that weekend, I found us a place to stay and it was a done deal. Boyd and Brent were in seminary together. Jennie and I taught school together. The guys even graduated at the same time. They left for the international mission field the same spring we left for Virginia to plant a church. We've kept in touch through the years and have watched each others kids grow up via online photos. Their prayer card has hung on our refrigerator as long as they've been on the field. We never thought we'd be seeing them on that side of the ocean so this was a big treat for us. It has also been important to us as a family no matter where we travel to spend some time learning about those who live there on mission. We were glad that our kids could see how MK's (missionary kids) live in other parts of the world. Now, on to Day 9...}
Today we had to check out of our resort in Schliersee and drive to the train station in Munich. We almost didn't find the place to return our van but at the last moment (and after lots of praying for wisdom), I thought to look at the invoice from the rental company and there was the address for returning the van. We emptied it out, thanked it for miles and miles (or kilometers and kilometers) of fun, and walked to the train station. We had time for a quick lunch then went to find our train.
A beautiful cathedral we passed on our way into Munich.
I was snapping photos of our last drive in Germany.
We were a bit confused as to which car we should board on the train. I had reserved our seats but all the cars had the same compartment numbers. I asked several people who acted like they didn't understand me (seriously, I know they understood me!) but finally found a man who told us to go to the four cars on the end. We still weren't sure we were in the right place but the numbers matched our tickets so we settled into our compartment.
Our train didn't have bunks but this was our first time on a train with compartments.
Finally settled with luggage stowed away...
and kids are in their seats excited about their first "real" train ride...
and more trains are passing by us.
Beautiful countryside of Germany
Another church in another village
Just as we were settled and enjoying the ride and view, the conductor stopped by to scan our tickets. "Umm, yes, there is a problem. This is first class and you paid for second class."
So I went searching through the other three cars to find the same seat numbers in second class. (They looked almost exactly the same.) We loaded up all our bags and went to second class. It didn't take long to get things stowed away again and settle into the six hour train ride.
I tried to take a photo of each train station just to remember where we were. (Don't worry, I'm not posting everyone of them here.)
How does one entertain herself for six hours? You can only look out the window for so long. Then you start playing games.
Everyone gets a turn.
Even big sister has a turn.
More beautiful countryside as we head toward Prague.
Bundesrepublik Deutschland - Federal Republic of Germany
We didn't have time to get off the train to take the photo by the sign so we posed in front of the window with it in the background.
We were here!
I'm not sure if this is Germany or Czech Republic.
A rail car with new cars passed us.
We are in the Czech Republic now. Things started looking different out the window as the sun started to set.
No more German on the signs. Dad and I had no idea how to translate in the Czech Republic.
Still lots of churches
A train station in Czech Republic
The first town we passed through in the Czech Republic
The first stop we made in the Czech Republic where we could get off, we jumped off to snap a photo in front of the station name sign.
We were here! (Dad was too. He was just talking to the conductor.)
Dusk in the Czech Republic
So no one told us that the dining car would disconnect from our car at the border. When we were ready to eat dinner, there was only the snack cart. We started digging into our bags for something to eat for dinner. Thankfully, I had packed some bread for breakfast the next morning but it became dinner.
All four kids kept journals of our vacation. It's interesting to read all their different perspectives and what they thought was important enough to journal.
"Will we ever get there!?"
Yes! We finally arrived in Prague! We knew we would have a taxi driver waiting for us - I had arranged for someone to take us to our apartment - but we didn't know that we'd hear a familiar voice - "Hello, Freeland Family! Welcome to Prague!" I turned to see my friend, Jennie Hatchel, standing on the platform. I had tears in my eyes as I hugged her neck. If the taxi driver had not interrupted us and distracted me, I may have just had a good cry right then and there!
Jennie rode with us to our apartment then took us to find a grocery store. (Remember, we ate our breakfast for dinner so we needed food for breakfast.) Back at our apartment, she helped us figure out how to get to their church the next morning. She left us her cell phone so we could call the taxi company and not have to navigate the metro system (we were sure we'd be late if we had to do that).
Jennie brought us a "welcome to Prague" gift - spa wafers. These were a big hit and we bought more to bring home with us to enjoy and also to share.
There are spas in the Czech Republic that are known for their healthy mineral waters. People go to the spas for different reasons but they want to be healed from various ailments. The water doesn't taste very good with all the minerals so these crackers are popular to eat while drinking the mineral water. That's where they get their name - spa wafers.
This was our view from our apartment window. The National Museum was lit up all night.
We went from the German countryside to city life but it was a welcomed change.
We were tired and ready for sleep but excited to do some exploring the next day...and to see the rest of the Hatchel family!
No comments:
Post a Comment