After going to bed at 2:30 A.M. daylight came a bit quicker than expected. We were supposed to meet Leo for lunch at noon, but that turned into more like 12:45-13:00. A falafel pita and an orange Fanta attempted to kill the hangover, but the headache raged for most of the day. Why did I drink so much? I am in my 30′s, usually I know my own limits by now. Hmm, maybe I should blame the Czech liquor!!!!

After lunch, we went for a wander around town in the daylight. We went back to the Astrological clock (It shone more in the sunlight). We also walked back over the Charles Bridge and were amazed, once again, at the number of people out and about. Perhaps it was the locals out because it was such a gorgeous day, or perhaps it was just alot of tourists like us. Who knows. All I can say is that it was jam packed and hard to move. There were more places along the bridge to buy trinkets today and there were also alot of street artists drawing people’s likeness/caricature. It was quite fun to watch.

After that climbed yet another hill (yes they are always on hills) to the Prague Castle. My heart was pumping by the time I got to the top, but oh what views! We chose not to enter the building due to the entrance fees, but wandered around the outside of it and the St. Vitus Cathedral. Quite stunning in the sunlight. After that Leo left us and that is when it hit Chris and I that we were soooo tired. We then went back to our prison retreat for a nice nap that lasted several hours. Had it not have been for Leo we might have slept the day away, so I am very glad, in hindsight, that I got up to take my tour, hangover or no hangover.

Tags: Astrological clock,Charles Bridge,hangover,Leo,Prague Castle,St. Vitus Cathedral
Categories: Becky Blogs, Prague
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We finally left our womb of Julie’s apartment in Germany and trained it to Prague in the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. I was nervous about another language that I did not know, but excited to see a more “Eastern European” city. Chris was also excited to see a long time friend of his, Leo A.K.A Lenny, who is currently in the process of relocating to Prague for a new exciting business opportunity. The train to Prague was about 8 hours and went as quick as possible, but it dropped us off in Prague after alot of attractions were already closed. The picture to the left is in Czech and it’s translation is at the bottom of it. It seems a bit more hostile than what the U.S. writes on their cigarette containers, yet people over here still smoke like chimneys,

Our hostel, Art Prison Hostel, is worth mentioning because it was a former prison. There were bars on the windows and in the halls. The door to our room had a little slot where in the past food was passed through to the convicts and another little door so the guards could look in to make sure that the prisoners were not up to no good. I of course had to photo Chris in “jail”. Doesn’t he look vicious! He looks like a “lifer” to me.

After checking in and getting our bearings we met up with Leo to go see a few sights at night before heading off to dinner and then after that meeting up with some of his friends at a couple bars. One of our first stops was the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square. It keeps several versions of time, Bohemian (which I really didn’t understand) and Modern (with the Roman numerals). It was built originally in the 15th century but was repaired after being heavily damaged in WWII. At the strike of the hour a skeleton on the side rings a bell and then the windows on the top open and 12 apostles parade by and after that the hour is rung. A bit overrated if you ask me, but it was fun to see all the tourists gawking at it.

After that went to Charles Bridge. It was commissioned by Charles IV in 1357 and until 1850 it was Prague’s only bridge crossing the river. It is lined by huge statues of saints and biblical scenes that were later added as Jesuit “propaganda” during the Counter-Reformation. As it is a pedestrian only bridge, there are hoards of people everywhere milling about and an equal amount of folks trying to sell you something. But, lit up at night, it offered almost magical views of the city, the river, and the bridge itself. I am always a sucker for night lights.

Next on the agenda was a great Czech meal with red cabbage and two types of dumplings (yummy) and then after that out to a couple bars for various liquors. We met up with some Ex-Pats and one Canadian with dual Czech citizenship. We had a great time drinking the night away with Czech liquor. Perhaps too much of a good time. When I took this photo, it looked like it was in perfect focus. LOL. Oh how liquor can cloud the senses.

Tags: Art Prison Hostel,Astronomical Clock,Bohemia,Charles Bridge,Czech liquor,Czech Meal,Czech Republic,Friends,Lenny,Leo,Old Town Square,Prague
Categories: Becky Blogs, Prague
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