The Nutcracker Chrstmas Carol; Attempted Shopping

But first, let's talk dogs. In Prague, most dogs are leash-free. And surprisingly all dogs are well behaved. I even saw a dog in the subway -- no leash. How can this be?

It's really kind of cute. I read in the guidebook that dogs are now supposed to be on leash, but most people disobey. Max says that dogs universally follow their master's directions -- i.e., sit under the table at this restaurant etc.

The ballet was a quite different version of the Nutcracker, it is based on both the Nutcracker and Christmas Carol stories. Scenes of note: Scrooge throwing the contents of his bedpan at the Christmas carolers (never in the U.S.), and my favorite, the bed filled with 10 children in the middle of the woods. So cute, reminds me of a cartoon from the 30s-40s.

Sitting in my row were an international assortment of military men and their wives. The men were in full regalia. My favorites - the turban and the guy with spurs on his shoes.

Before the ballet, I really tried to shop. I went to three Christmas markets and actually saw interesting stuff, just not motivated to buy. Went to many shops (botanical, beads, porcelain), but nothing inspired me. So I guess shopping will have to be limited to my last day here.

Christmas markets -- rows of wooden stalls sprinkled all over the city, particularly at the foot of cathedrals. Standard items for sale are sausages, cooked for eating now and raw, mulled wine, rum, brandy, and Tredlink. Tredlink are cylinders of sweet pastry made by wrapping dough around a stick and roasting on a fire. They are covered with cinnamon and sugar and they are very good and fresh.

I'm finding that when I'm alone, I prefer eating at the Christmas markets, but then the weather has been perfect. Today calls for rain so we will see how attractive this seems.