Praha -> Harrogate

31th December 2008

Arrive in Prague (Praha) on time. It's very cold outside. I find a nice cafe, settle down there and relax. The wi-fi is available there so catch up with some stuff the requires internet connection. Keep doing this until there's time to go to the airport.

On the way there I meet a guy who turns out to be traveling on the same flight. He actually turns out to be a Czech from Cesky Tesin, so we switch to Polish. He is from Manchester and actually lives very close to a place I used to live in (Rusholme) We hang around together, times flies by faster. We talk about this part of Europe. He tells me that his grandmother who never relocated used to live in 6 different countries over the period, the boarder would change often here, in the 20th century! Śląsk (Silesia) the region we both come from used to belong to many countries over the centuries: now it's mainly within boundaries of Poland. I can't really say that i have a regional identity, or history awareness of this region, but in the bag I'm carrying a big book called Historia Śląska, to catch up!

The check in goes smoothly. This time the guitar is not even mentioned, no extra fee has to be paid, despite flying with the same company. Wacek comments it's because of the Czech's love for the musical instruments! There's something else about this airport that impressed me. I didn't find it today, but noticed it 11 days ago. There's an assigned small room for meditation/prayer here. The plane is 3 hours late, but it doesn't bother me.

Flight goes ok and Ania picks me up from the Leeds Bradford airport. Great, and there are sandwiches and warm tea in thermos!

Back to Cheltenham Mt. flat then, good to be back. There's a little New Year party going on. Marek made some very good food, for example potato and veg salad (Russian style) or home-made chutney to accompany the cheese (blue Yorkshire Wednesleydale is a new one for me). It would be nice to stay here and celebrate together, but actually during travel I spontaneously decide to do the night shift tonight. Seems like a bit crazy move, especially after such a long travel.

Work, work, work...

In bed by 10am. Switched into 'time off mode', well, kind of - will be going to work at 8 pm again...