Stopover in Prague...

...Czech Republic, I think. All I know is that it's cool, it's rained here, the souvenir t-shirts all have to do with drinking beer, and everyone talks like Ahnold, but the computers in the Air Frnace lounge have fast connections & US keyboards!

Saw a great sign as I entered the international departures area at the Joburg airport. It said "enter at own risk"! (Have I already mentioned this? Jet lag is a worrisome thing) Anyhow, I got a picture and I'll post it when I can.

Something that happened on the flights out of Cairo and Joburg that I've heard about, but have not experienced up to now, is the spraying of insecticides on board. After all the people have gotten on. They announce it, then the stewards and stewardesses zip up and down the aisles holding these small aerosol containers that are set to go off like bug bombs. They claim it's safe and approved by somebody--indeed, it's not very stinky--but I have to think that either it's so weak as to be ineffective, or all those staff members spraying the stuff are going to be filing some major lawsuits in a few years. Likely, it just helps to breed stronger bugs.

On to Tallinn in an hour and a half, then about two weeks without a flight. Looking back over my Lonely Planet guide, though, indicates some pretty long rail journeys ahead. I suspect the distance is less than I covered in Japan or Australia, but the speed will be considerably less. It also appears, from the book, that there could be a snag getting from Vilnius to Krakow. I'll start looking into that now with my friend in Tallinn, and see what can be worked out. I may choose to buy a flight if I have to.

Tallinn looks great, with it's wonderful old town. It will be even better having someone there to help show me around a bit.

JP