European Excursion - Photo Montage Part 1: Praha

Arriving at Praha hlavní nádraží
Prague Main Railway Station 

Outside of Praha hl.n

Atlas Hostel "upgraded" our stay to
an apartment-type accommodation...
Not exactly stellar interior...

We would get typical breakfast items
from a local supermarket called Tesco or Billa 

Polish fastfood.
A typical hot dog stand serves polish sausage
on a baguette for 60 kc (about $3.60)

Traditional Czech food Svičková (read SVITCH-co-va).
Beef sirloin with cream sauce and cranberries.
Served with whipped cream and
bread dumplings

Really delicious garlic soup
Česneková polévka(“CHESS-nekova PO-levka”)

Housemade apple strudel

The pub Hlopy Honza Hostinec next to the hostel
serves delicious food at local prices.
Live music when we were there.

Visiting the famous Pražský hrad Prague Castle
Castle Square

Interior of the St. Vitus Cathedral
(Funny - my picture looks almost
exactly like the one on Wikipedia!)

Plenty of Art Nouveau stained glass windows 

The magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral facade

Caught a free concert performed by the (presumably)
 Royal Brass Orchestra, but I can't be sure

Guard changes on the hour.
This one was at noon, with the most ceremony,
music, and fanfare.

Guard changes at First Courtyard

Castle Matthias Gate into First Courtyard 

We took tram #22, primarily taken by tourists, to the Castle.
Tickets are 24kc (~$1.50) for a 30 mins ride,
interchangeable for metro, tram, and buses.
Public transportation is extremely convenient. 

On the famous Charles Bridge, one of Prague's defining landmarks,
overlooking the Charles River

The bridge was named after the Roman Emperor Charles IV, also the guy on the 100-kc bill. Czech lands experienced the Golden Age of their history under Charles IV.  He was a highly educated man who spoke five languages, an excellent diplomat, and a very good king.  He established Prague as the cultural capital of Central Europe and made it one of the most prosperous European cities at the time.  The Czech language was promoted to the official language in the country along with Latin and German, and the position of Bohemia became very strong.

Baroque statue depicting John of Nepomuk, a saint of the Czech people.
Legend has it that if you touch the engraving on the statue,
it will make a wish come true.

Marionette performances enjoy a long tradition 

in popular entertainment in Prague and around the Czech Republic.  The National Marionette Theatre in Prague performs the puppet versions of Mozart's famous "opera of operas", Don Giovanni, and the enchanting story of the Magic Flute. Both are extraordinary productions, employing very tall puppets clothed in period costumes, set against 18th century stage sets.

My tourist shot on the Charles Bridge

Bridge Tower, erected at the Old Town side of the river,
considered one of the finest Gothic gates

The gigantic Gothic Týn Church (read TEEN)
Main church of the city since the 14th century.
Leading Hussite church in Prague for 200+ years. 

Astronomical Clock at Prague Town Hall
With revolving disks, celestial symbols, sweeping hands,
this clock keeps several versions of time:
Bohemian time, modern time, sunrise, and sunset 

Clock was heavily damaged during WWII,
much of this is a reconstruction

Pivo becomes my beverage of choice
So many choices, so little time...
Currently enjoying a half liter of Lobowitz, costs about US $2! 

Beverage menu...
Check out the prices!

Pork neck steak, potato pancakes, grilled sausage
 with German mustard, mixed salad
enjoyed with a half liter of Lobowitz.
One of my favorite meals in Prague.   

On our way to the Josefov, Jewish Quarter, exiting
at the Muzeum Metro Stop

Pinkas Synagogue
A site for Jewish worship for 400 years,
a poignant memorial to the victims of the Nazis
Walls are covered with handwritten names of 77,297 Czech Jews
sent from here to the gas chambers at Auschwitz and other camps

Josefov, Jewish Quarter
Prague's Jews were allowed to collect and archive their treasures here
as the Nazis decimated the Jewish communities during the WWII.
Seven sights (museums) scattered over a 3-block area, making up
the tourists' Jewish Quarter 

Restaurace U Knihovny (Restaurant By the Library)
A favorite lunch spot for local Czechs who work nearby.
Our lunch du jour included a Farm Plate (duck, smoked pork, roast pork),
bread dumplings (houskove knedliky), potato croquettes, and tomato salad

Our last night at Prague
A 5-Star hotel style "hostel" with a chandelier in each room,
marble floor, marble countertop, and modern appliances  

I was convinced that the hostel was owned by
the Russian maffia as a facade of their operation...

Not bad for $70 a night for two people!

Starbucks VIA Instant Brew kept me sane for two weeks

A traditional Czech pastry called Trdelník (I don't know how to pronounce it...)
40kc a piece (~$2.50) and it is delicious

Dough grilled directly over open fired, then
rolled in sugar and walnut mix

Street fair right at the Wenceslas Square
Traditional Prague ham (Prager Schinken) smoked over beechwood 

"Did you have any Prague ham, Daisy?" you asked.  

To which I reply:  "Do bears shit in the woods?"

A blacksmith creating his art

Daisy trying to become an apprentice under the blacksmith...
(Not really; this was an old injury caused by the dishwasher...)

Handmade art from said blacksmith

Facing Narodni Muzeum, the National Museum,
on Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square)

Děkuji, Praha (DEK-ku-weh, PRA-ha).  Thank you, Prague.