Today, I am getting ready to head to Moscow for the FIBA Euroleague Women All-Star Game on March 13th. It will be great to see some of the other players in the WNBA there. I wanted to share a few stories and a little bit about what happened when my mom and dad came over to visit Ben and I.

This was my dad's second time traveling to Europe to visit me. He came to Russia last year. This time though, they both had time and really wanted to come and visit Prague. They were here for 10 days and, fortunately, the coach here gave us four days off that just happened to coincide with the last weekend they were here! So we got to do a lot of touring of the city, as well as checking out a couple of small villages on the outside of the city.

The first few days were interesting for my parents, I think. They (well, my dad) kept getting approached by all kinds of different people to change money or buy various little knick-knack type things. One guy even asked if he spoke Italian. I think the people out in these areas were just looking for anyone who looked like a tourist, and my dad fit the bill I guess. Maybe it was his NIKE jumpsuit and athletic shoes that did the trick! We gave him a hard time about it. HAHA! Once we got my dad a new outfit, we hit a few of the really unique areas of Prague. We did a Charles Bridge tour, and a boat tour on the same day. For some of you who may have no idea what the Charles Bridge is (I know I didn't until I got here), it’s the first bridge built on the Volva River. For several centuries, it was the only way to get across the river. It’s lined with statues of saints and connects "Old Town" Prague to the Castle District.

So we did that the first day, but unfortunately, and my mom and I got a little sea sick. I think it was because there were so many people on the bridge moving at the same time, and also because there are high points that you want to look up to, that we both got really dizzy. Oh, not to mention there is a huge river below you where the rapids are running like crazy.

Anyway, really glad we did that.

We toured the castle the next day. The best part of that day was seeing the old cathedral, which overlooks Prague and is what is seen in many pictures of the city. That was very interesting as well. There was almost too much information to take in from the guide. Each section is dedicated to one of the Kings or Saints who lived there or was the head of the throne. An interesting little fact that we found out is that the Czech Republic's government is the only one in Europe that still operates out of a section of the Prague Castle. The President and his family still live in a section of it, as well as perform their duties from there. We saw their "First Lady" when we were there. That was really cool!

We did take a bus tour of the city that was nice and very informational as well. They took us from "Old Town,” where the streets would not fit many of the SUV's we have in the States to the new town where they have widened the streets and this is where the more modern shopping centers and restaurants are located. It was fun having someone who knows what they are talking about to show the changes the city has gone through. In the main square that is considered downtown, there is a National Museum that we all really wanted to go to, but ran out of time. “Next time,” we all said!

Other than that it was just great having fun company for over a week! Of course, my mom made a few homemade meals and made a pan of her lasagna for us to freeze and eat later. Love it! My dad went out every morning for an espresso run because he was always the first one up, and he is used to being busy. So he was our official errand runner for a week, and that was really great!

If any of you out there are ever thinking of taking a European vacation, I would highly recommend Prague! I know I am leaving out a lot of the information we learned from our touring, but there is so much history here, it is pretty amazing.

Like I said, I’m heading to Moscow now for the FIBA Euroleague All-Star Game. I am sure I will have more stories for you guys from there!

Remember, the regular season is coming fast. We open at home against Atlanta on May 17th.

Can’t wait!