Community Highlights Europe Prague!

Prague!

with Jenny at the airport

Ashley: Jenny drove us about an hour to Arlanda airport. After check in and security we were pleased to see signs for a priority pass lounge though it felt like we had to walk miles to get to it. Then out of nowhere I saw a giant silver desk with the words American Express. How can there be a Centurian Lounge all the way over in Sweden? I was pretty sure it was a mirage but thankfully it did not disappear as I grew closer. I got there and frantically dug in my bag for my platinum card desperately hoping I didn’t check it in one of my bags, finally finding it at the very bottom in my waist security pouch. Cosmo was not only allowed in, he could come out on leash though he chose to stay in, and I zipped him in securely when I went to use the bathroom.

Mirage or real paradise?

can't believe there's a centurion lounge in Sweden

Norwegian Air is a slightly budget airline (not super budget like Ryan Air or Easy Jet but lower than KLM). This means the tickets are cheaper and nothing is included but it's inexpensive to add perks like luggage and priority seating. Drinks and snacks are extra as well but for a short flight they are not needed. So for not much extra I was able to board early into seat 3A and we ended up with the row to ourselves. The flight attendant was very nice and gave me a couple waters to say thanks for the gifts, so I felt okay letting Cosmo in my lap to watch the plane take off. He was very interested. I wish I had filmed it but I'm not sure I had enough hands to hold him and film. I hope he figures this out. I had to struggle a bit to get him into his bag after but he has been calm and quiet since then. I've been rubbing Jackson galaxy stress reducer inside his bag before flights and I think that helps as well. I didn’t even need gabapentin for this short flight! He came out again for the landing and I did film it this time.

Jenny let Cosmo look out the window

Cosmo: I can always tell when Ashley is desperate for me to come out from under the bed, and it never bodes well. This time she pushed me out with Ansi’s Swiffer broom and I escaped and ran upstairs, but she called in Jenny to head me off and when I was distracted, Ashley scooped me up. We got into the car and Jenny let me steer for a bit and lean out the window so it wasn’t all bad. The airport was another story. The small dogs behind us got to walk through security on their leashes but apparently a cat once got out and took the owner a long time to find it. So instead I am being held in my zipper backpack by some guy while Ashley gets her carry on checked. Then we had to go to a small room where Ashley took me out and held me while they scanned my leash and backpack. Total pet discrimination! The only time I ever got away in an airport, my leash was attached to my backpack so it dragged along behind me as I tore through some airport in Turkey. Needless to say I didn’t get far before her sister Natalie caught me. Ashley stopped chasing me because she was laughing too hard. She sucks sometimes.

The funny moving room with rows of seats was very interesting this time. Ashley had me look out the window as we started moving very fast. Then it seemed like we were in the air like a bird might be. We went really high up in the sky. But I didn’t do a thing. We just sat there. Maybe it’s like when Ashley puts on youtube and I see squirrels but can’t touch them and they are not behind the tv. So are we sitting in room with pictures on the windows? I need to think about this. It’s quite disturbing. I pondered it quietly the whole time. She took me out again at the end and it looked like we were coming down from the sky back to the ground, then driving on the ground really fast, slowing down to car speed. I really hate things I don’t understand. I pretty much understand EVERYTHING so this is very unsettling. Please don’t tell Ashley I don’t understand it. She has come to depend on my knowledge and authority on things.

finally arrived in Prague airport

Ashley: Getting off the plane in Prague we could feel the heat from outside. Temps were in the 90’s. And I thought Sweden was unusually warm at 80! Apparently there is a heat wave in Europe right now. Great! To get to hotel I could either take a bus to the train station, but that was still a half mile from my hotel and the info guy said it was "expensive" at about $10. That half mile was my issue. Public transit would be about $3.50 with my bags to take the trolley into town and then transfer to the metro which would take me within ½ block of my hotel. Much better if I can handle the transfer. The bags are considerably lighter than when I started, after removing gifts for friends and some of Cosmo’s food and litter going away. Google Maps was matching up with what the info guy said so I confidently went with the trolley, which was basically a bus. I got off at the second to last stop and started looking for the metro to transfer to. Nothing. Google Maps said nothing except transfer to Platform A with zero instructions on how to get there. I ask the first stranger I see and he doesn’t know, but then he points at the approaching vehicle which looked like the one I was just on. He must be thinking I’m trying to get TO the airport not coming from it. I smile and nod. I ask the crowd waiting at the bus stop if anyone knows where the metro is and no one does. I look around for stairs down or signs for a metro. I see nothing, just a McDonalds. Then I see a little led board with the number 26 (the metro line I need) and I realize this IS platform A. The bus and the metro/tram share it. And the vehicle the guy pointed at must have been a tram but I just didn’t notice it was different!

with all our luggage on the tram

Lord, show me a sign!

I checked into the Hilton Old Town Prague then was very proud of myself for getting a bunch of errands done today. I popped out in the heat of the day around 7:00pm and went to nearby mall that had a pet store. I also got money from an ATM, found a North Face location for a city t-shirt, and of course got cat food for Cosmo.

pretty good evening snack in the diamond lounge

Cosmo and I in the square

I finally went out again at 10:00 taking Cosmo with me when it got to be “only” 82° outside and headed to the Hard Rock shop to get a shirt for Uncle Michael. On the way we found this amazing square where they have fairy tale type buildings that look like palaces or things from Disneyland including a very cool clock that has wooden people wave from Little windows on the hour. I found out later it was the first astronomy clock built in Europe in the 1500’s and people came from all over the continent to see it. People were gathered painting the buildings or watching those that were. What a great way to pass the time, sitting in a square painting gorgeous buildings!

Cosmo is super popular and did a great job being very patient letting people give him treats and pet him. but eventually he finally had enough because he hopped out and went for a walk, pulling me along on the other end of his leash. After about 30 minutes I finally put him back into the bag and went back to take a picture of the people who were painting. I had just raised both hands to take a picture when he jumped out of his bag pulling the leash with him and took off down the path to the quiet area, the sound of his leash clattering along behind mixed with onlookers’ laughter ringing through the street. I only let go of the leash for a few moments so his timing was perfect! Clearly he did not think he had enough peaceful “walk time”

People painting the beautiful buildings

tons of people at 11pm in the old town square

beautiful old town square

Cosmo: Our new home is good. It meets with my approval though it has one huge flaw: there is no room below the bed for me to crawl under it. That's actually a pretty big flaw, but at least Ashley left me alone so I could cool off in the room after our hot ride from the airport. However tonight Ashley took me out with her. First off, it's a bit warmer than I like. People started off nice, exchanging Churu for pets per the agreement. But then the Churu stopped and people kept staring at me and talking to me. I finally had enough and went for a nice walk, pulling Ashley along after me. I found a quiet area to hang out in. Too soon she had me back in my pack and back to where I jumped out the first time so of course I did it again. Only this time she didn't slow me down and come along with me. My leash clattered along behind me, which frankly sounded like something dangerous pursuing me so of course I ran. Not because I was scared mind you, but because I was being prudent. You have to be smart to survive and the smart thing to do it run away from loud sounds that seem like they are pursuing you. Eventually I got to the end of the block and realized it was just my leash and Ashley was no where near me. So I did the polite thing and waited patiently for her to catch up. For someone so big with such long legs she can be so slow! This time she caught the hint and we stayed away from the crowds the rest of the night. It's so hard training a person!

Pretty church in the background

Us by the astronomical clock

Cosmo's litter set up. it tracks too easily so I need towels

Ashley: They are certainly equipped for having heat here as large trucks occasionally drive around misting water in front and behind them to cool the roads and I guess the air. They also have these misting fountains that spew out mist for people. I tried both and they are refreshing! Though a lady I met waiting for the vet said that while it is normally hot here, these temperatures are exceptional.

This is why menopause sucks. The next night as we’re walking through the city at 11 p.m. it’s still an insane 85 degrees! I pause at an art store that has some cute ceramic cats in the window. I can hear the World Cup game on the radio which is enough to pull me inside and it’s air conditioned so I’m in no hurry to leave! Some prints catch my eye that have cats on them but it’s a struggle to prevent my sweat dripping on the prints as I flip through them, leaning away and carefully flipping with my outstretched hand. All I can think is how annoyed this guy is going to be if I drop any sweat on the pictures. Sweat is just pouring off my face in big drops onto my clothes and the floor. Before menopause sure I’d be hot, but I wouldn’t be this giant puddle of sweat! I just started estrogen patches and I don’t think they’re working, or they’re making my body go haywire.

water misters on all day

With difficulty I managed to keep my sweat off them and find a very cute picture of two cute artsy cats sitting on a roof to represent me and Cosmo in Prague. The guy chats with me and I find out that Norway is down 3 to 1 against France. he offers 30% off for cash purchases so I look at a few more pictures and pick out a couple others that I like. they're nice and only about $9-10 each after the discount, nice prints signed by the artist. I really like that he was upfront about these being high quality prints and not passing them off as originals (though he did have a handful of expensive originals on the wall). Plus they will pack light and small and be a good memory of Prague.

finally found a vet in Prague

Cosmo: Today we got my pet passport so I can get into Switzerland. Ashley went to a local Google Maps “vet” but it was just a residence and the woman answering didn’t speak English plus she mispronounced the name of the vet she was looking for. Needless to say it didn’t work out. Google Maps was not super helpful for her as the other places she called either did not do pet passports or were full today (Friday) and we leave on Monday. Finally she found a place recommended on Facebook and they said we could come at 5:15 today (when the temperature was 95 degrees!). I had no choice and got packed up in my bag. We left a little early which is a good thing since Ashley jumped on the right tram in the wrong direction so we missed our first one. I’ll give her a break since she hasn’t had to do this in awhile and she seems to have it sorted out now.

great way to use/store extra cobblestones

However, when we got to the vet and were waiting, another cat came in and she went over to talk to it’s person and the SHE STARTED PETTING HIM! I don’t care if Bruno is a “sweet” old orange cat. You are MY person and what are you doing petting another cat right in front of me. I was understandably a little huffy the rest of the day. After the vet, she wouldn’t let me examine the turtles, which I could totally catch…there have been zero lizards or squirrels this whole trip. Then later she dragged me out at 9:30pm in 89 degree heat after sunset so she could have sushi then we walked around town. She tried to placate me by buying me a picture of two cats, but guess what, one of them was orange! Seriously?

Turtles! Why can't I play with them?

Cosmo and me. I guess I'm the orange cat

sunrise on one of the many bridges in Prague

Ashley: Those of you who know me well, know that I do NOT do mornings. But this heat is killer and I can’t waste my days in Prague sitting in the hotel doing nothing. So my plan tomorrow is to get up early around 4:15am and catch the tram out to a beautiful Park viewpoint overlooking the Bridges of Prague around sunrise at 4:55. Then Cosmo can wander through some parks that are pet friendly really in the morning before other animals are out and about and also explore the castle grounds of Prague Castle. Then we can return home by 10 a.m. or perhaps earlier so that I can have breakfast. We can settle in for the day in the air conditioned safety of our hotel with a nice afternoon nap while it hits 100 degrees!

pretty woodpecker

Cosmo checking out a monument in the park

the long uphill was worth it to get the classic 4-5 bridges photo

Cosmo found a squirrel to stalk but
it was too fast and far away

Cosmo: Today we got out early (4:50am) before sunrise and I FINALLY got some good walk time. Without a bunch of people. In a park where I was able to stalk a pigeon (they look slow but are remarkably quick to flight) and a scrawny looking squirrel. I guess they are smaller here than ours in California, but it still climbed up that tree quick as lightning. I got to walk for a couple of hours with some (too long) pauses for Ashley to take “sunrise pictures.” Though once she didn’t do anything and let a dog get too close just because it was on a leash. I had to arch my back and hiss at it to make it go away.

Prague squirrel

Then it got hot (over 82 degrees) and I was tired and she forced me to walk all the way up all these stairs (190 feet elevation and I’d already climbed more than that to get to the park!) just so she could walk around some castle and take pictures. I was not a fan. I meowed. I tried laying down and not moving. Eventually she broke down and gave me some Churu which did make me feel a little better for a little while. Afterwards we stopped so I could walk in a park near the tram stop on the way home. We were both hot, thirsty, and exhausted by the time we got back at almost 9am. For awhile all I could do was sprawl on the desk, but now I’m lying in the window which is thankfully not facing the sun.

are we there yet? I'm hot and tired

I can't believe you made me no walk all the way up here to look at a castle

I'm annoyed but I'll let this lady pet me because she's nice

Cosmo looking out from Castle grounds

our your guide for the night ghost tour

Ashley: Cosmo was good on the ghost walk and underground tour we took our third night but I can tell he’s getting tired of strangers petting him. Tomorrow I’ll try to leave him at home. Prague has a surprising amount of killing in its past. Instead of incarceration they went for throwing them out of windows, beheading, burning at the stake, and even having your body chewed by rats trying to escape a fiery cage on your stomach. They also had to raise the whole ground floor of the city by about 7 feet to cover the raw sewage running through all the streets, which resulted in many buildings having a secret underground section that connected to other houses, which was helpful when the Nazis invaded.

Hidden room in underground layer of Prague

on the Charles Bridge, the King's bridge

Our last full day was pretty chill. I went out alone before sunrise to see the Charles Bridge. I had read that’s the only way to see it empty of people. Wrong! There were a number of people throughout the streets clearly still working their way home after a night of partying. On the bridge itself were a few dozen, about half from the night before and half ambitious tourists like myself. There were even a bride and groom hoping to get wedding photos of an empty bridge. There photographer and organizer tried desperately to find good shots without a lot of people in the background. I think they’re just going to have to photoshop us out. I also finally hit the market near there and wish I had gone earlier. Souvenirs were 40% cheaper than the stores I found and they had some cool items I hadn’t seen before. There was also fresh fruit, but it wasn’t 50 krona for a basket, but 50 per 100 grams. So the beautiful basket I had my eye on was $12.50. I opted for a small $5 basket of cherries, which worked out to $10 a pound. But they were the best cherries I’ve ever tasted so well worth it!

bride and groom got up before dawn to take pictures but the bridge was still full of people

fruit at the market

great little market amongst pretty colored buildings

Cosmo: It’s our last morning in Prague and finally she’s starting to get it! When we were out for our morning walk she picked me up twice when curious dogs started coming our way. She did it in plenty of time, not waiting until the last minute or forcing me to take action myself. We started out early before 5am and she made me wait on the bridge for 20 minutes while she waited for the sunrise and took pictures but then we got into the park. It started out just 74 degrees but was almost 80 when we got home around 7:15. I like Prague despite all the off leash dogs in the park who are supposed to be on leash. And of course now we’re leaving and going somewhere else. When do I have a say in this?!

welcome gifts from Hilton

nice breakfast at the Hilton in prague

This featured blog entry was written by nutmeg2000 from the blog Europe 2026.
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