Arrived after a 4+ hour train ride from Berlin. So good traveling with Mike and Cheryl, we've been a good team. Poor Mike gets the brunt of heavy packing and putting up suitcases. Got to our room and met our host, a lovely Russian woman, an attorney. Very nice place and we should be happy here and it has a great location.
8/20/18 Metro (different experience to learn system and how to get a ticket - a challenge), but off to the Prague Castle. Quite a wonderful place and a little overwhelming in size and detail. The day was hot, long and filled with many beautiful surprises.
8/21/18 We met some really nice people today, made a new friend, a few stinkers........but I won't let them stay in my mind.
Took the metro into Old Town. Thanks Mike for getting us where we need to be. We ran into two lovely young ladies from Slovakia who helped us figure out the elevator and where to get off. They even walked with us over the the Old Town area. So never judge girls with blue hair, LOL. Klaudia is now my new friend.
Luckily, having read Tripadvisor in the morning, we were prepared for the #1 tourist place to be under renovation -- the Astronomical Clock. But it really wasn't even necessary to see it because the entire square is stellar. So many photo ops it was crazy. We had an interesting breakfast of goulash in a rye bread bowl and Mike had a pork knee. Dessert too - apple strudel with real whipped cream. The strudel is not like apple pie and the wrapping on it was so tender, it was warm and it warmed our hearts.
Walked 7.4 miles today, wonder why I'm exhausted!!!!!!! Average of 6 miles a day, this is crazy. Had gelato along the way then pretzels and beer. The topper and what I thought was awesome was an entire bar dedicated to absinthe. Could not believe it. Walked by a sign that said Absinthe Ice Cream and I had to stop and take pictures. We walked on and in a little while I said we have to go back and check out that place. The ice cream was not ready but I had a flight (4 small glasses) of absinthe. Cutest bar ever.
We walked over a bridge to get a view of the famous Charles Bridge to take pictures, what a view. Then we headed to the Charles Bridge - so full of people you could barely walk. Lovely views of the town, castle and river. Many artisans along the bridge selling original paintings of Prague, the bridge, making jewelry. It was very fun despite all the people. I bought a little flute made out of porcelain.
On to shopping and we did our share of that. Today was a special day in Prague and there was a band that played, then a cello concert and later more concerts all to commemorate August 21, 1969, which was when Russia invaded Prague, came in with tanks, tear gas, etc. So nice that we were there on their special day.
This is a city that I would come back too. The only disadvantage is the number of tourists -- which we also were, of course, but it is really a crazy place. I've never seen such a city chalk full of beautifully preserved buildings and amazing beauty. I would recommend Prague to everyone as a top priority.
So this is only two full days in Prague, rambling blog........but I wanted to post it. Not sure how many things I'll feel inspired to write about but I guess when I'm feeling it, I'll write about it.
Photos random, not in order, any questions please comment or ask. I just don't have enough time in life to write descriptions on all my photos. So if curiosity gets to you let me know and if not just enjoy.
Praha, klenot Europy
