Cabin Fever

Spring, last year: Riegrovy Sady

Winter is not for the faint of heart here in Praha. It's kind of like the Lord of the Rings movies: It lasts a really long time and just when you think its over... it keeps going. Most people dwelling in the city of spires anxiously await Spring, and I am no different. Bring it on.

For the last four months or so I have been really cold. The sun sets here about 3pm in the winter, and doesn't show up again until after 7am the next day. And when Mr. Sun does manage to peek through the gloom he doesn't provide much in the way of excitement. It has basically been cold and dark here for the past four months. I have been spending ample time in the "Hobit Hole" (Wow. I need to let up on the LotR references) just waiting for the first sign of spring.

And I have seen the light! For the past couple of weeks Prague has managed to break out of winter and embrace spring. Spring is one of my favorite times of year here because everyone (and I mean EVERYONE!) is ready to get outside and play in the sun. The trees begin to bloom with the most brilliant colors and the folks of Prague try to do the same. (Honestly. There is a guy who goes to "tan" every year in Riegrovy Sady park. We call him "Bronze Guy". He wears a shiny gold Speedo and sits on his towel - one knee up, elbow on knee. I should mention that Bronze Guy is probably about 65 years old and has the typical Czech belly. HOT.)

First beer of the season: Letna

Aside from the pretty trees and interesting people to watch, there is the annual opening of the Beer Garden. This is the place where I (and most people here) spend their Spring and Summer. There are ample Beer Gardens in Prague, but the most popular are Letna, Riegrovy Sady and Vysehrad. Each offer cheap beers, awesome views and super sweet parks to play in. Living and working in Prague through the intense and long Winter is completely worth it once Spring peeks out through the gray sky. People who leave Prague in the Spring or Summer are just plain stupid. I don't think you could find a more relaxed and fun place to spend time in the sun.

I am still sitting in the Hobit Hole, even as I type this post because it is raining again today. And it will probably rain and get really cold at least one more time after this. But I can handle it. I know Spring is just around the corner and hell, eventually even Frodo left the Shire in search of grand adventures.

Man... I really need to get out more....