Czech Replublic, Flood Tide

As the water level rises and the waves crash upon the shores of my mind I feel the stress and depression being drawn out with them. If only there were more than a metaphorical ocean in Prague which I could dangle my feet, I think that I could accellerate this healing even quicker. But in place of warm summer waters, I have cold beer and good company.

My cousin Brian has been an absolute joy as my host and guide for my time in the Czech Republic. Brian’s official title is International Playboy. He was a full-time author of many novels (still looking for a publisher for his best, though), is currently finishing up a screenplay that he would like to direct, and has spent as much as four or five years of his life in a state of semi-employment enjoying the company of too many good looking women to mention. Ah, what a life.

I spent my days in Prague exploring the city. It is an easy city to explore, as the dense old town and castle hill are rich with architectural beauty. In the evenings Brian would take me to the locals’ bars in hidden alleys and beer gardens on the tops of the surrounding hills and we’d enjoy half liters of fine Czech beer for about $0.50 a piece. In the evening he’d show me his favorite clubs in which invariably a friend or two of his would make an appearance and an endless stream of jaw-dropping women would spy him from across the room and then throw themselves in his direction. Ah, what a life.

Despite my one bad night and the much worse day that followed, I already feel the waves of time washing the sadder experiences from my memory. Prague is a crazy place. Its texture changes from block to block as the rowdy Brit stag parties scream into the night, the Neo-Gothic architectecture glows against the midnight blue air, the gypsies sell pot and steal wallets, and the streets smell of roasting meats. When its seedy it is still safe. And when it is not it is postively endearing. And Brian gets to live there year round with his “work” being the pursuit of his dreams and his recreation being limitless in its possibilities.

Ah, what a life.