Legal Smorgasbord: Prague

"So, Prague . . . that's an interesting choice. How'd you decide to go there?" Yah, that was the normal response when we told people where we were going. I mean, most NORMAL people don't go to Eastern Europe for their first trip abroad. What can I say? We definitely are not normal. We like to be original and unexpected. Plus, we had heard from so many people how beautiful Prague was. And they were right. Prague was amazing. Unfortunately, the trip over there was less than steller. But, let's start from the beginning.

We woke up at the crack of dawn - yup, around 4:00 a.m. Why you have to be at Tallahassee Regional two hours before the flight is beyond me. I mean, it's Tallahassee - they have a total of like 5 gates! (yes, that's being overly dramatic, but you get my point). And since we are world-class procrastinators we didn't actually go to bed until around midnight. Needless to say we were exhausted. Then there was "bad weather" in Atlanta creating delays everywhere. So we were about an hour or so late. Thankfully since the problem originated in Atlanta we still made our connecting flight. Now New York . . . ah, New York. We arrive from Atlanta and realize that in order to get to our next gate we have to actually leave the airport and then re-enter and then GO BACK THROUGH SECURITY. Oh yes, you read that right. It was the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. And frustrating. And then we end up on Czech Airlines which is even smaller than most of our airlines. Jeremy had his butt fully against the seat and his knees still hit the seat in front of him. And everything was in Czech! We didn't expect that. We figured it wouldn't start until we were actually IN the Czech Republic. So that was interesting. But what WAS nice was the fluffy blankets and water and headphones they gave you - for free. Along with the wine. Oh yah baby! Luckily, the movies were still in English!

After being awake for almost 24 hours we finally made it to Prague. Customs was a breeze (but as someone told us - they'll let everyone in, it's trying to get back into the U.S. that is the problem!) We step out into the airport terminal ready to take on the Czech world. We mentally prepped during the plane ride. No Americanized food while we were in Europe. That was the deal. We step out and see . . . The Holiday Inn and Courtyard Marriot and McDonald's and Burger King and KFC . . . the list goes on. I think my jaw dropped.

But let's move on (since I just accidentally posted this and wasn't finished, so I have to hurry before people start seeing the unfinished version . . . lol)

Here is some of the local architecture (I loved that so many of the buildings had flower boxes):

The bridges over the Vltava River in Prague are so beautiful!

This was an art museum:

They had a ton of public transportation:

As we walked around the city, we stumbled upon Havelska Market, the local farmer's market, that was set up in the 13th Century for the German trading community.

There are lots of little alley ways around Prague:

This is Tyn Church (pronouned Teen) in the middle of Old Town Square. For over 200 years it was Prague's leading Hussite church.

This is Parizska Street - it had all of the really expensive stores on it (Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Gucci, etc.). It was also the only street lined with trees leading into the town center, so that was an easy landmark.

Old Town Square has been the market square since the 11th Century - lots of history here! Today there are lots of outdoor cafes and horse & buggies.

Church of St. Nicholas viewed from Old Town Square.

This is a view of the Restaurant u Prince Terrace. It is located on the rooftop of the five-star U Prince Hotel facing the Astronomical Clock. It has the best view, but is supposed to be incredibly overpriced.

A view over the city from the top of the Old Town Hall. The Prague Castle is in the background at the top of the hill.

There were some beautiful murals made out of tiny mosaic tiles inside the Old Town Hall.

The Old Town Hall, which has the only elevator-accessible tower in town.

The Astronomical Clock. It takes several versions of time: two outer rings show the hour in Bohemian time and modern time. Arcing lines and moving spheres combine with the big hand and the little hand. The circle below the clock shows the Zodiac signs and was added in the 19th Century. At the top of the hour there is a very short show. First, Death tips his hourglass and pulls the cord ringing the bell; then the windows open and the 12 apostles parade by; then the rooster crows and the hour is rung. Unfortunately, the clock was heavily destroyed in WWII so most of it is a reconstruction.

This is the Pinkas Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter. The walls are covered with the handwritten names of 77,297 Czech Jews who were sent from Prague to the gas chambers. Unfortunately, the entire Jewish Quarter was closed on the day we were walking around town so we didn't get to see the inside of the synagogue.