Prague

I spent a long Saturday in Prague. It is ssuch a wonderful city. There is just so much to see and do every time I visit. I especially love the funky vibe it has. Just a little off beat and cool. The sculptures and art are just soooo interesting. More on that later.

We started our tour just behind Prague Castle. It was very beautiful with guards that don't move. There was a whole group of Asian tourist taking pictures with them. The guy kept looking around like he was annoyed. Totally comical. The castle now houses the presidential offices.

The oldest part is St George's Basicilica. It was built in the 10th centry. It is almost too much to fathom for an American. We have nothing that old. Our history is only a couple hundred years old. This is the one place I regret not visiting. There is something alost wrong about going into a church as a tourist. It is something they do here in Europe.

After we left the castle we went down the hill to the Senate. The gardens we just amazing. They were perfectly groomed, and there were peacocks running around. There was one with 5 babies. In the corner by the stage there is this stlagtite was that was built in the 1600s. I didn't really get it. In the owl enclosure it was very difficult to find the birds against the wall. Other than that I think it was just for decoration.

We walked across Charles Bridge, and found our way around the city. I have to tell you that my favorite part is the sculptures. When I was there 5 years ago there was one of Superman crashing into the ground. There was also one of the shoes left over after the holocaust. That one was very moving. This trip I found a few more. The boy on the ledge, the cubist lightpost, the keys, and the Dancing Building.  This building fits in to the landscape. It sits next to some really old buildings, but does not look out of place. It is affectionately called 'Fred and Ginger' because it is supposed to look like them dancing. I'm not sure about that one. I know there are scultures and arcitecture waiting to be discovered.

However, I think that my favorite sculpture was the one of KEYS. It is made of thousands of keys. This was a controversial work that has a great backstory. The Velvet Revolution (which overthru communism) was started when the masses on people in Wencelas Square started to jingle their keys.

The rest of the afternoon I didn't really do much. I walked around, and looked for a few second hand shops. I did find Bric and Brac. I believe it is a chain around Europe. There is one down the road in Veinheim. Anyway, he had some good treasures, but way overpriced. Normally, you would expect higher pricces in a tourist area, but there is such a thing as too much. I left sad I didn't get the street sign I was looking for.

Afterwards, I was excited to see where Tycho Brahe is interred, Our Lady Before Tyn.  Alas, it was closed. I thought for renovations, but upon a little research the tomb is being opened to preform an autopsy on the remains. 400 years later? He may have been poisined! So, all I had to do was walk across the square to find Astronomical Clock. Not too far from someone who was a pioneer in astronomy. Fitting.

The last thing I did was to find a market near Wenceslas Square. (really just a big rectangle) I wish I had written the name down. They sell lots of touristy stuff. Little clocks, painitings, and wooden toys. I bought my boys a few toys there when my oldest was a little guy. This time I found them some more treasures. My oldest got a slingshot. I don't have a picture because it is already lost! My little guy loved his octopus puzzel with letters on it. He cost less than 4 Euro. I also bought a Witch puppet that is a little scary. She will fit into my collection nicely. (Sorry I don't have any pics)

The last thing I did was to just grab an icecream and people watch around Wencelas Square. It is always interesting. Also a great way to relax your feet! This may not seem like a whole lot, but I was so tired. I did learn a few things though. 1. Don't wear cute shoes for a whole day of walking. Wear tennis shoes. 2. Don't put a six pack of water in your backpack. Way too heavy! The drinks I bought were less than 1 Euro, so they were cheap. All in all it was a wonderful day.

Tschuss!