Learn to Hold It, or Budget for the Bathroom in Prague

In Prague everything costs... everything.  Watch your liquids and your fiber especially if you will be sightseeing all day or if you are on a limited budget.  Secure a 'bathroom budget.' Using the toilet will cost.   

Plan to pay anywhere from 5 czk to 20 czk (about 28 cents to $1.11).  Thank goodness they don't charge by the minute or one could really go broke.  Because when you gotta go, you gotta pay! That applies to restaurants, churches, etc.    

While having breakfast in our hotel, I had to go.  Since we were eating, it was free. Instead of leaving my friend and going to my room, I asked to decided to use the hotel's restroom.   I was directed down down a winding staircase to a ladies room located by the Spa.  

I entered the room, went in the stall and sat down to do my business.  

Now I don't dilly-dally.  Even my husband has commented about how fast I am.   I go, wash my hands and leave.  But in Prague it is not so fast.   

Where were you when the lights went out?  I was in the bathroom in our hotel's restroom in Prague.   So now I am sitting in the bathroom stall in the dark trying to remember the way out and cursing under my breath.  

After my eyes adjusted, I decided to feel my way out.  I got up from the you-know-what, which apparently triggered the light sensor and my problem was solved.  I flushed, washed and hurried out of there.

  

So if your stomach rumbles, you can go into an upscale hotel but beware of light sensors.  

Or  go to a cafe and order a drink albeit  coffee, bottled water or beer.  You can stay all day if you need, and can use the toilet as often as you'd like.  

As ludicrous as it sounds, as long as you are spending money,  no one cares how long you sit. And if  you are with someone else, only one of you needs to order something.

Prague is not America, land of the Pee for Free.

Anytime is the Time to Marry in Prague

In a quaint all-day cafe called Il Balcone, I escaped the rain to have breakfast. It was raining too hard for anyone to sit al fresco and watch the baroque charm of Prague. Though early in the morning, the café was far from boring.

At first I noticed the two women seated at the table next to me. They each had well-behaved dogs with them. The women, who seemed to be regulars, enjoyed their coffees while the two dogs enjoyed a periodic piece of ham.

A young couple sat in a booth in the back. The girl was wearing a bridal gown and her groom a tux. The two of them sat alone at the table talking. Maybe in Prague it is traditionally for the bride and groom to have coffee together after they marry.

I asked around and found out that the Bride and Groom were waiting for the rain to stop so they could go around the corner to marry at Vrbouska Zahrada , one of the most beautiful gardens in Prague.

Another customer explained that on Fridays many couples go to the gardens to marry. I know I was jet lagged and all, but I was almost positive that it was Wednesday. But whatever day it is, I guess when you are ready to get married; only the rain can stop you. But then again, what do I know?