Let’s start this trip to the 2008 World Cup with a half an hour drive out of the Frankfurt airport in the wrong direction.  That was awesome.  There isn’t a better way of introducing yourself to a new country than with random wandering.  The airplane trip itself was effortless, but every day since has been an adventure. 

 

After a four hour drive from Frankfurt, Germany we finally found our way into Prague.  Definitely a cool city, and I made a point to print out directions to the whitewater course before we left.  It didn’t help much.  We traveled an hour around the city following signs to the zoo before we randomly came across some Great Britain paddlers who assured us we were going the right direction.  The right direction took us driving on what seemed like a bike path with cyclists and roller bladders jumping out of our way as we tore into the camp ground.  Oh yeah. . .our rented Ford Focus has the power of a Vespa. 

 

The campground was nice and we found a little spot out of the way next to Clay Wright and a bunch of Russians.  The first couple days were spent getting used to the new place.  We got crepes and coffee every morning, Stephen trained, and I explored within walking distance.  Lots of PSP and reading time.  Beware. . . I am becoming a beast at Luminase.  The kayaking scene is also interesting.  People from a gazillion different countries with a gazillion different languages, and a gazillion different forms of currency all hanging out in peaceful harmony.  (Well sort of. . .  some people definitely like their booze more than others.  This ended with boats in trees and tents overturned.)

 



 

The competition was great.  There were tons of McNasty’s, Phonix (or phoenix) Monkeys, loops, and cartwheels in a strange surgy, flushy hole.  They even played some heavy death rock from the Czech Republic.  (You can find the results on the Jackson website, so I thought I would touch more on the living scene.)  The hole kinda looked fun to play in, however after the entire US and Canadian team came down with a case of mud butt (aka. .  the runs, diarrhea, hershey squirts) for five days, I decided against Prague paddling.

 

One more fun thing about the trip thus far. . . RAIN.  We had two warm sunny days, and four of rain.  When it was sunny the wasps were out in full force.  Couldn’t drink your Sprite without inhaling a couple.  When it was raining we got snails and slugs.  I counted at least three on the tent one morning, and Clay was fortunate enough to get one in his shoe. 

 

The last day Stephen and I got to spend some time in the city of Prague with Clay and the Craigs.  We were blessed with eggs for breakfast and some amazing architecture.  A walk over the Charles Bridge and lots of people watching. 

 

Next stop. . . Augsburg, Germany.  (I actually got to paddle here).  That story will have to wait.  Need to go to the store. . .  Stephen needs more toilet paper.