A Crash Course in Prague
A Show and Dinner
Today was laundry day. And now that we’re entering my fourth week here, I’ve finally mastered the washer-dryer thing... Rule number 1: Less is more. Number 2: Pull your jeans out of the dryer while still wet, this will allow the other stuff to dry, and avoid the shrinking of the denim. And most importantly rule number 3: Use washer number six, and dryer number 3.
While my clothes were being washed/dried I had a chance to video chat with Jenn in Wales. It was so nice to see her.
I also worked on a fairly large amount of reading... Little by little. I have more homework to do tomorrow, but I’m making progress.
So tonight was the “100 Gypsy Violins” concert at the Rudolfinum. It was rather amazing. I have never seen a professional orchestra concert quite like this one. I was dressed in my black suit, with the white shirt, and new tie I bought in Vinohrady the other day, and sat in the balcony. My view was partially obstructed by a pillar, but I could still 2/3 of the stage. There were six piano like instruments across the front, in tow rows of three. I have no clue what they are... I don’t think they were harpsichords, but who know. The contraptions were open faced and played with mallets. There was also no conductor, at least in the traditional sense. One of the violins would get up and direct the orchestra while playing along as well.
And they did this all without any music in front of them... They had a two hour show totally memorized.
The part that really blew my mind came at the end. They did a gag where a violin was standing on the apron of the stage, playing as high and fast as he could, then another would start playing from the orchestra, get up and walk to the apron, followed by another, and another... you get the idea. Each was trying to out-do the previous player.
It was hilarious. The Czech woman next to me loved it. She was practically falling out of her seat with excitement.
The concert ended at 10, and I was starving. I had eaten a sandwich for lunch, and a peanut butter and jelly before I left for the concert, but other than that I hadn’t had a good meal. It being so late I knew I was unlikely to find a restaurant near my place that would be open at that hour, so I walked to the Old Town Square and sat down under a propane heater at the Hotel U Prince.
It was the most expensive dinner that I’ve ever had while eating alone. But it was like fireworks for my taste buds.
I had grilled lion of venison with juniper and red wine sauce, served with broccoli puree. The venison was not tender like aged beef, but it is supposed to be slightly gamey. The broccoli puree was more like mashed potatoes than broccoli... It was great. And the sauce that the venison was served in was absolutely unreal. For dessert I had a chocolate cake that had layers of jelly, and a glass of Remy Martin VSOP.
The whole meal, with tip, came to 1000 crowns. Or about 59 dollars... Dinner for one.
Worth every penny. I headed on home, content that my belly was full, and hopped online to chat with my folks. After hanging up with them Jenn managed to keep me awake and talking on Skype until nearly 2... But it was nice to have a few laughs before bed.
As for Sunday, the 8:30 mass is out. No way am I getting four hours of sleep. Homework is on the menu. And maybe I’ll get a chicken at the store today and make chicken soup... A small taste of home...
The whole gang is returning later on Sunday evening, until then I have homework to do.
By the way I think I finally realized what 7-11 the store) means... Open 7am to 11pm... It hit me and my mother like a ton of bricks while talking to each other... 7-11... Makes sense.