Day 2
My good friend, Tamsyn Carter, and her family moved to Germany almost 2 years ago. I had the pleasure of meeting her in Prague for Day 2. She was able to stay at the same hotel and we met at breakfast to catch up. So great to see her! She was able to come on our guided tour with the local Czech guide, Felix. He was a crack-up as you can see in this video clip (click the link below). He taught us a Czech tongue twister that is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest phrase without any vowels... Can you say it five times fast?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX_VeWb8jQs
We went first to the beautiful Strahov Monastery. This pic is outside the entrance and some others of the outside and us waiting with the students.
My good friend, Tamsyn Carter, and her family moved to Germany almost 2 years ago. I had the pleasure of meeting her in Prague for Day 2. She was able to stay at the same hotel and we met at breakfast to catch up. So great to see her! She was able to come on our guided tour with the local Czech guide, Felix. He was a crack-up as you can see in this video clip (click the link below). He taught us a Czech tongue twister that is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest phrase without any vowels... Can you say it five times fast?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX_VeWb8jQs
We went first to the beautiful Strahov Monastery. This pic is outside the entrance and some others of the outside and us waiting with the students.
Robert enjoyed taking pictures of Paul taking pictures so he returned the favor. He even got one of Mr. Plank "planking" later in the trip.
I thoroughly enjoyed talking with and getting to know Paul's students. They were friendly and fun. Kirsty was in my group and well-traveled, so she taught me a lot about local currencies and shopping at H&M in every city. I have to admit I bought something there...a wrap because we had an unexpected rain storm and it was COLD...only 10 Euros, too! The kids laughed at me because I fully wrapped it around my head and looked like the Madonna.
In 1670 Jeroným Hirnheim, a philosopher and theologist became the abbot of Strahov. His greatest work, which has survived to the present days, was the building of the new library, the present Theological Hall completed in 1679. This picture taken with my phone doesn't do it justice, but here it is.
In 1779 Václav Mayer occupied the abbot's throne and was the last to carry out great building activities. His most outstanding work was the building of the new library, now in Classical style. Today it is called the Philosophical Hall and is amazing to see.
After the monastery and a run-in will some pushy French tourists (Our Explorica guide spoke French, too, and had some very interesting-sounding words with them!) we walked to the Prague Castle complex which is really a compilation of many buildings and virtually every architectural style from the last millennium!
Tamsyn and I in the Prague Castle Square.
Saint Vitus' Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Prague, and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The full name of the cathedral is St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral. Located within Prague Castle and containing the tombs of many Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors, this cathedral is an excellent example of Gothic architecture and is the biggest and most important church in the country.
Perhaps the most outstanding place in the cathedral is the Chapel of St. Wenceslas, where the relics of the saint are kept. The room was built by Peter Parler between 1344 and 1364 and has a ribbed vault. The lower part of the walls are wonderfully decorated with over 1300 semi-precious stones and paintings about the Passion of Christ dating from the original decoration of the chapel in 1372-1373. It's hard to capture the effect of the stained-glass in photographs, but these are two favorites.
We also visited the Old Royal Palace. I enjoyed the beautiful simplicity of this palace with the amazingly intricate ceiling and could imagine the court having some fun times in this place.
From the corner window of the Vladislav Hall two Catholic Governors and their secretary were thrown out of the window. They survived thanks to a dung heap, even though some Catholics thought that it was angel’s intervention. This event started Thirty Years’ War.
The view from a balcony in the Old Royal Palace. I can see why they lived there.
Perhaps the most outstanding place in the cathedral is the Chapel of St. Wenceslas, where the relics of the saint are kept. The room was built by Peter Parler between 1344 and 1364 and has a ribbed vault. The lower part of the walls are wonderfully decorated with over 1300 semi-precious stones and paintings about the Passion of Christ dating from the original decoration of the chapel in 1372-1373. It's hard to capture the effect of the stained-glass in photographs, but these are two favorites.
We also visited the Old Royal Palace. I enjoyed the beautiful simplicity of this palace with the amazingly intricate ceiling and could imagine the court having some fun times in this place.
From the corner window of the Vladislav Hall two Catholic Governors and their secretary were thrown out of the window. They survived thanks to a dung heap, even though some Catholics thought that it was angel’s intervention. This event started Thirty Years’ War.
The view from a balcony in the Old Royal Palace. I can see why they lived there.
And that was all before lunch...a late lunch, but still! We walked back down across Charles Bridge to Old Town and enjoyed a lazy lunch, then spent some time visiting churches, buying souvenirs, and walking, walking, walking. Nadia, our Explorica guide who was with us the entire trip, was an amazing wealth of information.
In the early evening we walked to Wenceslas Square. It is the place Prague residents gather to unite or protest politically. We saw several sign holders and a plaque acknowledging the place where two men have set themselves on fire in protest to communism and anti-democratic Czech policies.
Finally, back to the hotel for dinner, deal with some blisters, sleep, and get ready for our last Prague day...
In the early evening we walked to Wenceslas Square. It is the place Prague residents gather to unite or protest politically. We saw several sign holders and a plaque acknowledging the place where two men have set themselves on fire in protest to communism and anti-democratic Czech policies.
Finally, back to the hotel for dinner, deal with some blisters, sleep, and get ready for our last Prague day...
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