My Last Sunday in Prague Until ... ?

As if

Monday morning. My friend Jiri will be calling his friend in the foreign ministry (Foreign Ministry?) here this morning, and this time, unlike last week, he — the friend — has the reference number of my application, so he'll be able to pull up the file and take a look at it. Frankly, the fact that he offered to do so is encouraging, as I had assumed his immediate response would be, "Jiri, there's nothing I can do."

Fingers crossed. In all honesty, the fact that they didn't grant it immediately after the mandatory 90-day period (nor in the week since) is discouraging. But perhaps, with Jiri's friend's thumb on the scale, I'll get good news this week?

In the meantime I've bought a ticket back to the States for this Friday, and I'll have to stay there — or somewhere — until I get the visa, or until late May, when I can get a new Schengen tourist visa.

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Played friendly doubles yesterday at Štvanice, as I mentioned, and walked — it was cold, but I had a Fresh Air podcast to distract me — the half-hour or so to the island.

Approach on the little footbridge on the right-side of the map,
depart from the big bridge on the left side

As I walked up to the entrance of the tennis center I noticed some reserved parking spots close to the front door. You may have to expand the photo to see who they belong to, but ... it is fun being in this tennis-crazed country. I don't remember similar names in the Tucson Racquet & Fitness Club parking lot, at least.

Prestige has its privileges

Speaking of Ms. Vondrousova, check out this photo I took of a placard promoting her tennis academy. If that's not the cutest group of kids you've ever seen I'll eat my hat, and ... look at that little girl in the front left! You just know that 16 years from now she'll be lifting up a trophy somewhere!

Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2042 Billie Jean King Cup Champions

I took a different route home, this time heading out over the Hlakúv Bridge on the western side of the island. From whence I took first this photo of some remarkably dedicated surfers getting some practice. Again, it was below freezing. Wetsuit or no ... that's dedication, homes.

Then I turned around and got this photo looking the other direction, into the setting sun.

Not bad, from a busy urban bridge

Then home, to a bath, pizza, Michigan basketball, and a meowy cat. A decent Sunday, all things considered.

Though ... did I mention it was cold?