Prague - Day 1

On Friday morning we got up a little earlier than normal but nothing crazy early.  We ate breakfast and headed to the bus which took us to the S-bahn that took us to the main train station in Berlin.  Something for me to remember when booking weekend travel is a 9AM train departure is heavenly.  Early enough to get to your destination with still a lot of day left but not too crazy early where everyone is tired and cranky.
We arrive a bit early which is way better than arriving a bit late and wait 30 minutes for our train. 

We reserved a little compartment which made the trip much more enjoyable.  We all read and played games, the kids colored and had screen time.  The scenery on the way was really beautiful.  We went through fields but also beautiful small and larger cities.  We stopped briefly in Dresden but didn't have time to get off.  After about 4 hours we arrived in picturesque Prague.  The sun was out and the city sparkled. 
We walked about a mile to our Airbnb.  This is the first overnight trip that we have taken with the whole family where we each just packed a backpack and where each one of us just carried our own. What a game changer!!  This is going to make the rest of our weekend travel so much easier.  And this was in the winter to a cold location with winter coats and sweaters, etc.  We will certainly be able to pack this way in the spring and summer when our clothing is much smaller and lighter.

Benjamin would NOT smile
because he was STARVING

We arrive at our Airbnb and we are all in good spirits.  We relax for a bit and then head out to find some dinner and explore the city a bit.  Unfortunately, the kids were "STARVING" so what would have been a much more enjoyable outing had I just given them each a roll before leaving turned into a bit of a whine session as we searched out a place that we could all agree on.  Josie is a vegetarian and Marty prefers meatless.  Benjamin is definitely a carnivore but in the hamburger way not goulash way.  I'm quite flexible but was tired of Italian as that is the one type food we can all agree on so we eat Italian more than most by default.  The food in Czech Republic was VERY meaty.  Goulash, Pig knuckles and pig knees, schnitzel, sausages.    We finally decide on some pasta place (see, Italian again) but once we are seated and look at the menu we notice there is no basic pasta dishes.  The kids do not like the fancier stuff... Marty and I don't really either so we left.  Then we come across some type of chain restaurant - not quite as bad as TGIF and with a bit of European flair but it has pizza and burgers and salads and pasta.  It definitely wasn't our best meal but it served its purpose.

After dinner we walked about around a bit more and came across our first (but definitely not last) experience with the Czech dessert, the Trdelnik. 
Josie got a blueberry jam filled one and Benjamin got a chocolate one and it was SO SO good. 
We all went home and to bed happily with full stomachs and a great first impression of Prague.  Actually, this was my third time to Prague and Marty's 4th.  I didn't have the best memories of this city and am so happy that we gave it another try.  The first time we came was Marty's and my first European vacation together back in 2004.  We were in some kind of disagreement and that memory also jade the city for me.  Then we came back with my parents and Josie when she was 2 years old in September 2008 and I must have been stuck in Toddlerhood and didn't fully appreciate the city then either.  In fact, other than the Charles Bridge I don't have any memories of this city.  Which is strange because I have a pretty good memory.  Marty kept pointing places out that we had been to before and I honestly didn't remember one thing about this city.  I'm super happy that the third time I finally was able to appreciate the city.