Our experience here was similar to what we found typically at the airports in the former East Block countries we visited. We were welcomed warmly (even if two women travelling alone like this seemed to surprise them a little). The staff was extremely well prepared and supportive. Typically, we were met by a 'Follow-me' vehicle as soon as we were off the active run-way. And by the time the engine stopped, we already were greeted by customs, handling and gasoline representatives. We only needed to let them know what our plans were and how much gasoline we needed, and were taken care of. Sometimes transportation methods into town or hotels were recommended. We always were introduced to the flight planning staff, that would help us file the flight plan, provide weather information and present us with the bill when we left. This was very helpful, because when I met different staff on departure, I encountered much disbelief, that I was the pilot (mostly probably because I did not wear stripes and uniform, but casual clothes). All our flights were filed, since we almost always crossed borders and/or flew into larger airports. Never, in the two months, did I have to push back the plane into a parking spot. We always drove straight in. Often we were the only small plane on the field, since we tended to only fly into international airports. One could get spoiled that way. It almost makes the landing fees of ~ 60 US$ worthwhile. However, paying 4x the price of gasoline was difficult to swallow.

The key learnings from this flying vacation were:

• English IS the main language, even if the accents are sometimes strong

• Local language will be used by native speakers of a county in tower and airplanes. This may lead to less available information than typcial especially when looking for traffic and landing sequence

• Learn at least one greeting of the country you are flying in, and add it at the end of your first call to a station. This gives your counterpart time to adjust and shows your respect of him/her. S/he will be much friendlier to you

• Stay flexible. Keep an open mind. NOTHING - except how the plane is flown - will be the way you learned and expect it. No two countries - or even airports - are alike in procedures, costs and services

• Keep it VERY simple. Slow down when speaking. If you are NOT understood, try to use different and simpler words. If you spoke slowly and audible, and it was not understood, then it is no use saying it louder or faster

• Eastern Europe was VERY EMPTY. Flying at 5000-7000 feet in Poland we had no radar or communication contact for almost one hour. Private Pilots and small planes are NOT common

• Do not apply YOUR logic. If something doesn't make sense, ask THEM how you can accomplish the basic thing you want. After outlining what you really need, ask open ended questions like "how can we get this done". The path could be unexpected and SIMPLER than you thought. (This also works pretty well, when you expect that a bribe may be expected, but let them tell you.)

• IFR plates are updated, but may not be correct. VFR is definitely recommended

• Most information about each country is available IN the country (especially if it is small). For example: Lithuania had VFR maps and a chart book, but I could only get it there for minimal cost

• Flight preparation takes on a whole new dimension if you never fly the same route twice, AND none of the names are familiar. Get as much advice as you can. Ask questions and prepare 3x more than you would at home

• Next time I WILL invest in a flight planning software program. I had GPS, but did all my planning manually. It felt that I almost could have driven the distances in the time it took me to prep and fly (However, I am not willing to pay someone to provide all the planning and handling for me. I like knowing the options and details, which I only get by finding the route myself)

• It was a great experience. In hindsight, I'm not sure if I would do it again with as little experience as I had at the time

Town of Karlovy Vary

The very picturesque town was not at all visible from our approach, since it is in a river valley below the main plains. Karlovy Vary is known for its 13 hot springs. We expected to find a nice spa to relax. Instead we found many people walking from spring to spring and DRINKING the sometimes very interesting-smelling water from specially designed ceramic mugs. The town was busy with tourists and in various states of restoration (the town, not the tourists). The 'baths' are currently under reconstruction. However, we were unable to find out whether or not they would be spa-like. Our hotel room was very nice and modern, and right on the river. We saw many Art Deco (or Jugendstil) buildings, and signs informed us that Goethe visited here numerous times.