Shopping.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Up the Hill
To See the Castle
From all angles the castle on the hill dominates. It beckons you to visit, which we did, by tram. On the way into the grounds, we stepped in for a quick look at the gardens. They are extensive but we didn't have the time to give them a proper visit.
From all angles the castle on the hill dominates. It beckons you to visit, which we did, by tram. On the way into the grounds, we stepped in for a quick look at the gardens. They are extensive but we didn't have the time to give them a proper visit.
Trolling for Votes
On the Senate Grounds
We stumbled onto the Senate grounds purely by happenstance. We were wandering down a deserted street and stepped through a gate to find a lovely open space. On one end is the senate building itself.
We stumbled onto the Senate grounds purely by happenstance. We were wandering down a deserted street and stepped through a gate to find a lovely open space. On one end is the senate building itself.
Tracking Time
Lots of Interesting Clocks
Here's one that uses what sun there is to give you an approximate idea of the time. If I read this one right, it only works from 3pm onwards? I cannot figure out what light it uses at night.... Moon light?
Here's one that uses what sun there is to give you an approximate idea of the time. If I read this one right, it only works from 3pm onwards? I cannot figure out what light it uses at night.... Moon light?
Street Scenes
It's a Beautiful Place
The tourists are annoying and all the asvertising signs are annoying but there is no denying that the old core of the city is very beautiful. They just don't make buildings like this any longer. This is the sight you see after crossing through the Western gate of the Charles bridge.
The tourists are annoying and all the asvertising signs are annoying but there is no denying that the old core of the city is very beautiful. They just don't make buildings like this any longer. This is the sight you see after crossing through the Western gate of the Charles bridge.
The Charles Bridge
Tourist Ground Zero - For a Good Reason
This is where it's at - the Charles bridge. It's a beautiful medieval bridge loaded with sculptures and wonderful gates at either end. We walked north along the river towards it and snapped a photo of the cathedral above it.
This is where it's at - the Charles bridge. It's a beautiful medieval bridge loaded with sculptures and wonderful gates at either end. We walked north along the river towards it and snapped a photo of the cathedral above it.
Cafe Life
It's Pretty Sweet
There are no end to the cafes the dot Prague, they're everywhere. We went to one near our hotel a few times for some uppity macchiattos and some magazine reading.
There are no end to the cafes the dot Prague, they're everywhere. We went to one near our hotel a few times for some uppity macchiattos and some magazine reading.
Transport...
The Alternate Kind...
There are a lot of ways to get around here. One of the more popular is riding in the back of a jalopy with the top down. I've not seen this anywhere else.
There are a lot of ways to get around here. One of the more popular is riding in the back of a jalopy with the top down. I've not seen this anywhere else.
Modes of Transport...
The Normal Kind...
I liked the trams the best. They have old ones and newer ones - either way you get to see the city pass by as you go.
I liked the trams the best. They have old ones and newer ones - either way you get to see the city pass by as you go.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Eating - Part II
A Real Czech Dinner
In a dark cellar-like space, we ordered two staples: pork schnitzel and beef goulash with a side of grilled potatoes and a potato-mushroom soup to start. I think I can summarize Czech as follows: meat, potatoes, dumplings, gravy and some form of cabbage. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. It's good stuff.
In a dark cellar-like space, we ordered two staples: pork schnitzel and beef goulash with a side of grilled potatoes and a potato-mushroom soup to start. I think I can summarize Czech as follows: meat, potatoes, dumplings, gravy and some form of cabbage. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. It's good stuff.
Ducking the Paparazzi
Or, Paparazzo, Rather...
There was this chick with a camera tailing me the whole trip, trying to snap photos of me. I managed to duck her a few times but every now and then she was successful. Usually with my big bald spot showing, thanks a lot!
There was this chick with a camera tailing me the whole trip, trying to snap photos of me. I managed to duck her a few times but every now and then she was successful. Usually with my big bald spot showing, thanks a lot!
The Chesnut Tree Debate
We Need Your Expertise Pops
They overhack their trees in Prague - like they do in Paris - keeping a control over nature to create perfect sight lines. I posited that the bulbous knuckles are the result of clipping at the same point each year, creating nubs of abandoned branches - nothing to do with the species of tree. Pingles doesn't believe me, she said to ask you, the expert. What say you? Feel free to take her side to make her feel better, we both know the truth...
They overhack their trees in Prague - like they do in Paris - keeping a control over nature to create perfect sight lines. I posited that the bulbous knuckles are the result of clipping at the same point each year, creating nubs of abandoned branches - nothing to do with the species of tree. Pingles doesn't believe me, she said to ask you, the expert. What say you? Feel free to take her side to make her feel better, we both know the truth...
The Stones...
This is a City of Stones
Every single thing here is made of some form of stone. All the buildings, the streets, the sidewalks. Every sidewalk looks something like this - small stones arranged in patterns. You can tell they've been walked upon for hundreds of years, they're uneven, worn down, broken. Just thinking about the manual work it took to create these is mind-boggling.
Every single thing here is made of some form of stone. All the buildings, the streets, the sidewalks. Every sidewalk looks something like this - small stones arranged in patterns. You can tell they've been walked upon for hundreds of years, they're uneven, worn down, broken. Just thinking about the manual work it took to create these is mind-boggling.
Street Art in Prague
They Got it in Spades
I don't know what it is about this one, I just like it. What you cannot see in the photo is that the eyes and mouth are actually carved into the wall and are three-dimensional.
I don't know what it is about this one, I just like it. What you cannot see in the photo is that the eyes and mouth are actually carved into the wall and are three-dimensional.
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