Our European Anniversary Trip - The Prague Rental Car Fiasco

We scheduled our rent car pick up the day before we were to leave for Austria (September 30 pick up and October 1 departure).  Before walking to the rail station to get the car, we decided to go to this Kolache shop we discovered one day but didn't go in (The Kolacherie).  This was very close to our apartment.  What got our attention the first time was this sign:

Texas kolaches?  What is the difference in Texas and Czech?  We went in and had a very nice conversation with the owner.  It was a small bakery but quite nice.  He had only been open a couple of months.  Also, he had been to Texas a few times so he knew of "our" kolaches.  He explained what makes theirs the traditional kolaches, which is they are round and flatter, less bread and less sweet (and honestly better in my opinion!).  His version of our savory which can include sausage, cheese and jalapeno was an open top kolache and not enclosed like the "pig in a blanket" type.  My favorite has always been the poppyseed and the one I had was delicious!

After that, we started our "hike" to the rail station in Prague.  It was always a little challenging walking and using GPS in Prague as there are no street signs, the names of the streets are on the side of the buildings and our GPS girl can't pronounce the names so she would just say something like "turn whatever direction here".  Needless to say, we got turned around several times.  

Once we got to the rail station we went inside and looked for a sign that would indicate where Budget Rental was.  We found nothing!  We walked everywhere, upstairs, downstairs, out to the trains, even asked a couple of people that worked there and was told "I don't know".  After the last person to tell us that, we turned around and started walking and there it was - Budget.  I think we spent an hour in there and my blood pressure and stress level was way up there!  We finally got the car and headed to the parking garage which wasn't far from the apartment.  

Later, we decided to go to the National Czech Museum and we walked again.  Once inside, there was SO much to see!  This place was HUGE, two connecting buildings and absolutely gorgeous!  I was in awe!

After leaving the museum, we wanted to find this restaurant that Greg had researched located in Old Towne Square -  Mincovna.  I had heard of this appetizer called Pickled Cheese and they had it so I HAD to get it.  It is not what you think - something like cheese in pickle juice.  Instead it was Bleu Cheese and a Greek cheese "marinated" in sunflower oil with chili peppers and spices.  It was delicious!  It was served with a hot pretzel and "onion salad", like pickled onions. I am going to try and make some pickled cheese!

Greg ordered the beef in cream sauce and I ordered the Prague ham.  Both were very good!

After that meal, I needed to walk.  We got back to the apartment and had a beer which we bought at the local market.  One thing we discovered when you go grocery shopping.  They do NOT provide bags of any kind for you, you bring your own.  If you don't, then you can purchase one by the checkout (not the plastic kind).  

The next day (October 1) we were leaving for Austria.  We decided to haul all of our luggage downstairs and leave in the foyer and then go get the car.  Things went downhill from there....

We were leaving the garage and at the gate discovered there was no place to pay with a credit card.  Fortunately, there was someone in the little building by the gate and Greg got out and talked to him.  They don't accept credit cards there, you had to go somewhere else in the garage and pay with credit card.  We did have some Crowns, but not enough (plus what the guy told Greg we owed was incorrect, we actually owed less).  The guy finally let us go through.  YAY!

Then, we get to the apartment and at the door to get in the building I realized - I left the key cards to get in to the building IN the apartment!  I was trying to get everything taken care of before we left and boy did I.  We had NO way of getting back in.  Fortunately, I was able to communicate with the rental property through WhatsApp but there was miscommunication on their part and I was told it would be an HOUR before housekeeping would be there and let us in.  I begged and told them we really needed to get on the road and fortunately, someone was there within 15 minutes.  

Finally, we get our luggage in the car and leave.  The stress level that day was off the charts!