Charles Bridge.
First thing I noticed….Prague is COLD!!!! I really feel at some point here in the next couple days I will be hitting up a store for some thermal base layers. Anyway, I headed down the street to the Charles Bridge because it offers a direct route to Prague Castle, which I plan on checking out tomorrow so I thought I would find the way. The Bridge was commissioned by Emperor Charles IV in 1357 and then finished in 1400. They named it for him in the 19th century. There are about 30 statues that decorate the bridge. Many of them have been replaced or are in the process of being replaced. The most famous is that of St. John of Nepomuk, who unfortunately had his body thrown off the bridge. The story goes if you rub the bronze plague beneath the statue you will return to Prague. St. John of Nepomuk is one of 5 saints buried in St. Vitus Cathedral but since I will not visit it until tomorrow I will talk about it today. The bridge crosses the Vltava River.
One of the statues on the Charles Bridge. This is not the statue of St. John of Nepomuk.
Looking down the Vltava River.
Once on the other side I made my way up a small hill (what else…if I can’t walk up a hill or a set of stairs I don’t want to see it) and passed the Prague Castle. Like I said I will visit it tomorrow but it was nice to get a look today. From there I headed over to see Petrin Tower which is a little tiny Eiffel Tower look alike on the top of the hill. Apparently there are some great views from the there but the view from the hill was good enough for me plus I will get to see the real Effiel Tower in a few weeks. I walked along the top of the hill and found what is known as The Hunger Wall. Is was built in 1362 under Charles IV by the poor. The poor built it in exchange for food.
Looking down from Loreta Square. It was a nice hike up.
A portion of the Hunger Wall running up the hill.
Standing on the Hunger Wall. That is St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle in the background.
At this point I realised that I had left all my extra camera batteries back at Brent’s and the battery warning was flashing on my camera so I headed down the hill to get some. From there I attempted to find the St. Wenceslas Statue. Basically it is a statue of a man on a horse but important so I thought I should see it. Of course I walked in the exact wrong direction again but after some wandering I found it. I did see some interesting things along the way including an entire corner with nothing but ski shops that I am sure I will need to find later so I can go shopping. Of course I have found that anytime I find things by accident I have a hard time getting back to them so we shall see.
Some of Prague that I found while wandering. You will find this as you come off the Charles Bridge and head into the area of Prague known as Mala Strana.
Eventually I did find the Statue and the National Museum, which I will also pay a visit to before I leave town. St. Wenceslas is the man from the Christmas carol and happens to one of the patron Saints of the Czech State. He was actually the Duke of Bohemia although everything I read refers to him in several ways including King Wencesles and Saint Wenceslas as well, depending on when in his life we are talking about. He did many things to help the poor and there is a statue in his honour in Wenceslas Square. It is right down the hill from the National Museum and as I found out on my way home…it is all only 10 minutes from Brent’s….when you walk the correct way.
Looking down at Wenceslas Square and the Wenceslas Statue. Down this street you will find lots of stores and restaurants and in the square you will find the Memorial to Victims of Communism and the Jan Palach Memorial.
My next stop was Starbucks….yes, old faithful has reeled me back in. I hung out there for a while so that I could consult my map and make a plan of action for the next few days......and it was warm. I also ran into a couple guys from Nova Scotia who are in Prague for med school. They hang out in Starbucks for the free Wi-Fi and after hearing how much they pay for tuition I can see why they like the free Wi-Fi.
Some of Prague along the Vltava River.
One of the hills I walked up.
I then wanted to find Old Town Square and that should have been the easiest thing to do…but it was not. That's when I decided I needed a break so went back to Brent’s before attempting to find it again. After the break (yes I took a nap) I actually had no problems finding it. Seriously it was like 10 minutes and just a street away from where I was. It is all dressed up for Christmas right now with trees and lights and people singing Christmas carols and booths with food and drink and all that kind of stuff. I wandered a bit. It makes me excited to be home for Christmas for the first time since 2005. It will be a little weird since we will move like a week and a bit later but whatever.
Some of the decorations along Prague's streets near Old Town.
I found my way to a little restaurant/pub like place that served some traditional Czech food. Graeme gave me a list of things to eat while I am here so I hope I can eat a bunch of them anyways. Tonight it was beef goulash and dumplings and of course beer. Can’t be in the Czech Republic without drinking some beer.
Not sure how you like your Turkey puke but I passed on it today.
So one thing I am noticing that a 2000 dollar bill is actually not that big here. They can break it very easily and don’t seem to mind when you hand them over. I am not a fan of big bill so am getting rid of them as fast as I can but I see why when I tried to break a 500 dollar bill they said “no, it is not that big here”.
Anyway, back at Brent’s I am realizing that I am not that prepared for the cold. I guess after spending a winter in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia I have forgotten what it is really like. Hopefully I can adjust…and soon. I am sure Austria will be colder.
But I am very glad I have my computer with me…not just so I can keep my journal typed (although still behind in the postings) but so that I can take part in the current political debate going on on Facebook. This whole proposed Liberal/NDP coalition sure has people talking. No matter what side you sit on it sure is interesting. The most fun I have had in politics in a few weeks anyways (the excitement of the US election has still not completely worn off) and for a political junky like me this is kind of like an early Christmas gift. I guess we shall see in the next few days what happens.
Julie
No comments:
Post a Comment