Monday was a travel day.  These 45 minute international connection times are god for my waistline but bad for my blood pressure.  After a pleasant conversation with the bus driver in Czech, I convinced him to chNge his route and drop me closer to my hotel.  He got a kick out of the whole thing, and I got a shorter walk.  When I arrived at the hotel, the receptionist had filled out my paperwork for me.  Only those who have traveled in Europe can fully appreciate how unusual this kindness was.  I was thankful for a relatively relaxing evening leading into what I knew would be some very challenging days before heading home.