Lost and More Lost

De Gaulle Airport, Paris, France

Before I stepped into Prague, about two weeks ago, I had a plan.  I’d get a bus to the city centre and follow the directions to the Bread and Breakfast place I reserved ahead.

My flight from the U.S. had more turbulence than I like, but I landed and found the bus I needed to head for the center of Prague.  

I should mention I arrived a day late!  I missed my connecting flight in France and scheduled a flight for the next day.  I left Michigan in a blustery storm as did many from other states.  The flights were not on time so connections were virtually impossible. 

But, talking to the ticket agent at Air France (who was flying for Delta) she emphatically assured me I had “Plenty” of time and should have been able to get my connecting flight! (so I paid for a night in Hotel Ibex, next to the terminal) 

I was at the terminal (Charles de Gaulle Airport) by five the following morning to get my flight to Prague, in the Czech Republic, as were many others who were anxious to continue their holiday plans.

On the bus with my luggage and a guitar strapped to my back, I listened carefully to the street names so I’d be sure to get the right stop.  

It’s difficult when there’s no English version of the stops, so I was hyper-alert as I listened for the street I needed and wanted to be prepared to get off.  When I heard the street name I stepped off with some others.  

It didn’t take long to realize I’d made a mistake. When I heard the name of the street it was announcing, “Next stop is_____”, and I mistook it to mean “This stop!”

I don’t speak Czech and it was understandable I screwed up, so I when I forgive myself quickly I can get my head together to proceed to a new plan.  I had no idea where I was.  I had no SIMS card in my iPhone for maps.  But, I did put the host’s name and number in my phone, so I texted her.

When I’m lost why does everyone always ask, “Where are you?” I had no idea!!  

I told her I’d find out.  I went into a place that looked like a senior home.  When I went inside there was a young man at the desk wouldn’t look up from his phone call and computer.  No one could have missed noticing me.  I literally looked like I just stepped off the plane.

I stood there, patiently.  An elderly man came up to me and asked if I needed anything.  I was pleased he spoke some English.  He stood by the same desk and it wasn’t long before the man behind the desk looked up to him as he asked him for a number for a taxi.  He gave me the number for the taxi which would have been helpful if I knew the address of where I was. I couldn’t call a taxi to come if I couldn’t even spell or pronounce the elderly home.

Between the little English the older gentleman knew and my ability to help problem solve, we found the address on a poster board by the entrance to the seven-story elderly home.

That’s the other problem.  I may have had the address to where I was but I couldn’t spell or say the numbers in Czech and definitely couldn’t pronounce the street name.  Eventually I was able to get Petra (my BnB host) to talk to the man at the desk to ascertain where I was located. I handed him my phone  to talk to her, which he took begrudgingly. 

Petra called an Uber and the driver took me directly to Petra’s address which wasn’t very far.  I was very glad there was an elevator in her apartment building.  By now I was exhausted and desperately needed to put down all the things I had with me.

Petra was very patient and helpful.  The room I was staying in was elegant.  

I loved her collection of old keys strung on the door window.

As tired as I was I forced myself to go out to the streets of Prague before the sun set.  It was a beautiful, cold day and when I was looking out from the window to my third floor room, Prague was calling for me to explore.  I felt so light as I left all my luggage (and Holden’s guitar) and went down to the old center of the city. 

I later treated myself to a divine dinner at Savoy.  Fortunately I looked English so I was handed an English menu.  I had dumplings stuffed with sweet potato, covered in a cheese sauce, on top of a bed of feta-like cheese. 

Inside the Restaurant The Savoy

I went out again feeling revived and proceeded to get lost a couple more times (distractions are in huge supply and when I walk out of a shop I don’t always remember my left from my right :) 

It wasn’t a problem as long as I had the address in my phone.  Young people especially are easy to ask because they pull out their cell-phones, pull up a map and show me where I am.  

As I'm taking pictures I can see the sunlight is disappearing!

And where I am is where I am.  I move my tired legs. Light a match to my sixty-year-old mind and think positive.  Seeing Prague was reward for being flexible.   I'll return to the old city in less than a week and spend four days there learning my way around and looking more closely at the city.