Czech it Out, Agog in Prague, Czecking Out for Now

I stole AGOG IN PRAGUE from Laura's blog AGOG IN PRAGUE. She is my brother's friend and former roomie.

So I went to Prauge! After a false start: 28 hour delay in NJ and courtesy of United I stayed at a lovely hotel that was a few blocks from some former Frat houses that I spent many a night in during my college days in the heart of NEWARK, NJ.  When a fellow passenger asked me if the neighborhood was safe I just said not to leave the hotel. So my first night of vacay was spent in Newark, NJ.  Silver lining? Got to see my mom and my sister and went to the outlet mall in Elizabeth, NJ. So not a bad day... It just wasn't PRAGUE.

It looks like we are outside.

In reality we are in the safe haven known to 

all Jersey Girls as the mall.

So after lunch I set of for PRAGUE (PRAHA). I landed in Brussels and got to Prague around 1pm Czech time. PJ was there to greet me and after a very harrowing cab ride (the driver didn't even acknowledge lights or posted speed limits) we got to his apartment and I got to meet Shannon. Whom I now adore.

Shannon and I at the bus stop.

PJ and I on the bus.

We went to lunch where I naturally had some pasta. It was pretty good. Then we went back to the apartment for a little nap time then we went out for the night where I did have traditional Goulash. It was fantastic. Not a fan of the dumplings with bacon. I know, bacon is supposed to make everything better, but not this time.

Goulash.

I won't chronicle the entire trip but I will post the pics. I used the Fujifilm X20 exclusively during the day and for the first night. Excellent camera. Love it. I used my Canon 60D for all of my night shots (not the first night) in conjunction with my MeFoto Backpacker  tripod. I ADORE THIS TRIPOD. Run, do not walk, to your nearest dealer or order online (I got mine through Amazon as I had a free Prime Membership to try out and got 2 day free shipping). For $139 you will not find a better travel tripod. Or hell, better tripod at all. It is very light. PJ carried it for me all night (the first night shoot we went to see RENT, a musical about Bohemia in Bohemia?! Natch), and he said he could barely feel it. Then the set up was super easy. And its my first ball head tripod. I thought I could't afford one and had a Sunpack panhead that cost just as much. I looked at Manfrotto and SLIK and for the price and the reviews, chose MeFoto Backpacker. And I am so glad that I did. The Roadtripper is a bit heavier and I almost went with that model. But MeFoto assured me (via their FB page) that it would hold my 60D. And it did. I wasn't nervous at all. It was spectacular. 

My brother outside his office.

On the way to the clock.

Selfie.

Next to Mucha's work.

View from the Mucha exhibit.

X20 no tripod. Not bad.

Heading to the clock. X20.

X20. On the way to the clock.

Center of Praha. X20.

Astronomical Clock.

X20.

X20.

Apparently it was a blue moon that night.

X20.

My brother leading the way.

X20.

Some famous building. X20.

Bridge and Palace. X20.

View from the bridge. X20.

Close up. X20.

Heading towards the train.

A church.

Outside the palace.

D60 

D60.

D60.

Heading towards the Charles Bridge. Waterwheel.

D60.

Outside the stairs by Charles Bridge.

D60.

The Charles Bridge.

D60.

(Across from the wood gate and the location of the opening

scene of Mission Impossible movie).

Charles Bridge. For about 4 minutes the lights by the

statues were on. Then they turned off.

D60.

Other end of the bridge.

D60.

D60.

I cranked up the ISO to 1000 so my brother

wouldn't have to stand still for minutes.

D60.

Self-portrait. But my brother hit the remote :)

I could post a lot more photos. But I will end it here. With these pics from the 2nd night shoot at Vyšehrad. All shot with the D60.

                                       

Tech Purchases and Adoption Update

I bought a new Kindle! Ok Mike got me the Kindle but I found the deal lol!
I got a coupon for $30 off a tablet at Staples, and Staples had a sale the Kindle Fire HD 7" *32gb* for 189.00! So for 159 I got a new tablet.

You see, I use iPads all the time at work, and while I love the interface and user friendliness of them I think they are just too big. So I had my eye on the iPad mini but when I saw the price of 399 for only 16gb of storage... well I focused on the Kindle. So it took some time and and buyer's remorse set it... "It is not the same as the iPad!"

I now adore it. I really do. Thanks to some internet searching I found a way to get other android games not offered by Amazon onto my device (AKA CCS) and now I am completely happy with it. Just hate the freaking carousal part. But L O V E it. I use it mostly for FB and games. My phone was just too small. I plan on using my Kindle Touch (they do not make that one anymore) for reading my books as I like the size and the weight, and the look (matte paper like finish and font not a shiny screen).  While at first I thought that was ridiculous to have both after reading reviews and research I saw that many others felt the same and so I felt better. Hmm... Maybe self esteem issues arising?

I also got some cool headphones (again after research and not wanting to spend 100 or more) by Urbanears. Mostly cause I hate earbuds, and I am going on a long trip, and I wanted them in purple.

My MacBook Pro with laser engraving (done by Mike),

my Kindle Fire, Urbanears Headphones and Kindle Touch.

I also just bought (after MUCH research) and will review once it arrives a travel tripod by MeFoto. I got the Backpacker (in purple), and its travel size is 12 inches. Thats it. And after emails from MeFoto via FB, they assured me it WILL hold my Canon 60D. Since I am going to Prague there is no way I am NOT doing night photography. I didn't want to lug my large and heavy panhead Sunpack tripod. Now I have something light! And its my first time using a ballhead so I will update when I get back with a review.

Onto the adoption update...
This month was our lowest for page views but still going strong on the number of books being sent out. On a positive note, in the last three months, three adoptions have gone through and 3 families from our agency are now complete. So that is something. It gives me hope.