Anticlimax
It wasn't really
news as such, those things I had to tell you. It's pretty much just me updating you, cause lots of things have happened and stuff. Sorry to break that to you.
I'm full of the flu. I got it on Tuesday, would you believe - the second fucking day of my holiday. Which was fun. In the land of cheap booze I managed to (during the entire week) consume 2 vodkas, 4 litres of beer and an ocean of still mineral water. What a waste. However, I did pick up 400 cigarettes for under £40, which works out as a bit under £2 a packet. Which, goddamnit, I can't open yet because I'm coughing like a bitch and constantly breathless due to the horrendous illness. Work was fun today, let me tell you.
Things are a mess at the moment, both physically and metaphorically. The house is a tip. No, not true. The house could do with a bit of polishing, nothing major. My
room is a tip. Fuck me, for a guy whose tenancy runs out in less than two weeks I could be doing a lot to make the transition smooth... but I'm not. Right now I have no bodily strength whatsoever, but that's for the last four days. Prior to that I have no excuse other than laziness, and to cap off the laziness admission I also remember that I've not actually handed in the contract for the next house quite yet. The next house into which I am to move on the second of July. I need a kick up the arse.
That's all for now. I just fancied writing something.
Prague
Prague is a nice city. But, yet again, the unfortunate fact that I am accompanied on this trip does diminish my enjoyment of this so-called holiday. That's two now. I'm destined to travel the world alone, it seems.
Paul's awesome, don't get me wrong. It's just that when you're with someone you can't just do what you want to do, you have to compromise and shit; I don't like that too much, especially as the stuff he wants to do is incredibly boring and usually involves spending money, a consumable of which I do not own too much.
Niggles aside, today is going alright. We got into the city yesterday, the lovely Corinthia Towers hotel, where they have bellmen and everything, and the view from the 12th floor is immensely good. Went upstairs, dumped and unpacked stuff, went out to this nice catherdral thing at Vyshrad, with this graveyard of awesome proportions. Seriously, I've taken loads of ideas for my own from this place. My grave is going to be awesome.
Went back to the hotel, slouched for a bit and then went to the lobby bar, where - get this - our every need was catered for, including the barman coming over to me when it was obvious I was looking for my lighter in my pockets, lighting a match, and holding it up to me to light my cigarette. That took things a bit too far, methinks; I'm not used to luxuries, and indeed I am far too used to having to do things for myself - an independence I say I do enjoy. We went to the hotel's pizzeria after that, where I got a little nonplussed and had to go outside for some fresh air; you'd think a 5 star hotel could afford a little air con.
Upon finishing, we went back to the room and then out to explore the area. Our hotel is about 20 minutes to the centre of Prague on foot, but thankfully the strip just outside is covered in bars. We found a small music bar in the cellar of a Beefeater restaurant, which was awesome and demonstrated the most important reason for my love of Prague; a double vodka and a half-litre of Stella came to just under two pounds, as did a packet of cigarettes. Fucking ace, that. Finished the evening in the hotel's Beer and Bowling terrace - where they were showing the lastest season of House on the TV. Admittedly it was dubbed into Czech which made viewing somewhat unintelligible, but still. Points for effort.
Today is going wonderfully. Got up around 9am - setting my alarm clock for 8 isn't as effective as usual when you've still got your clock set to English time. The breakfast buffet was mint; great food, all you can eat - the best combo ever. Head out straight after on the metro system to Wenceslas Square. Had a nosy in the National Gallery, then went to the Old Town Square, show Paul the Astronomical Clock. Went to New Town also, where these massive structures built from these large white bricks stood, painted with peoples' names, slogans and dates. Pay 100CK (around 2.50) and you get to paint one yourself and put it in the wall for all to see. Money was to go to charity, so we did it. My brick looked fucking awesome, and it's good to know that my website will be seen by every lucky passer by in the Prague city centre.
So, it's just after 3 here, and we've just had spaghetti, a dish whose atrocious taste was matched only by its astronomical price. I want to go to the Charles Bridge, because it's fantastic, but every time I mention it Paul wrinkles his nose and changes the subject, because that's the kind of person he is. Might have to do it tomorrow.
Until the next time.
Prague Time
Yeah, that entry never came did it? I still have loads to say, but as I'm around 20 minutes until boarding time, I can't go into it now. I'll probably forget anyway, and so the mystery will die with my memory.
Anyway, in the departure lounge at Birmingham International Airport with the cousin Paul Hilvert, awaiting the 10.15 BMI Baby Service to Prague. I'm looking forward to it. Not taken the SLR this time, relying on my digital camera to get me through. It's loaded with a 1GB memory card, my iPod's loaded with The White Stripes' Icky Thump album and I'm loaded with 7800KC.
Time to rock the fuck on.
