Prague Promise Fulfilled
The following day we ventured up to Prague Castle, perched high on the hill overlooking the river and town below. The Castle is made up of your typical set of high walls, spires, grand arches, and over the top statues with a highly impressive St Vitus Cathedral in the centre. The original Church was founded by Prince Wenceslas (a.k.a. Good King). In 929 he was murdered by his envious and wicked younger brother – an extreme way to get a Christmas Carol sung about you.
Below the castle we walked over the Gothic stone bridge and past the old Town Bridge Tower where the Russians used listening devices directed on the streets to catch any conspirators. Today they would more likely hear the accent of a Japanese tourist bargaining for one of the many artist paintings of the city.
There were many museums and art galleries but with the kids in tow we decided to avoid these and spend out time wondering around the city streets. There was one museum that I am disappointed we couldn’t spend some time in – the ‘Sex Machines Museum’. Judging by the machine in the front foyer that involved a rotating thrusting array of objects I am not sure how I would have explained it all to the children.
As we headed back to the airport we passed out of the city and through the vast sea of panelak, Soviet-style concrete panel apartment blocks that ring the city on almost all sides. These rows and rows of identically architecturally uninspired buildings don’t exactly send you scrambling for your camera, but it is a reminder that all Cities have their less romantic side.
The end of another great trip, and I can gladly say that the people at work got it right. Prague is a lovely City and hopefully I know a bit more about Ms Czech than before - even if most of it I have forgotten as a result of the 25p beers!
Below the castle we walked over the Gothic stone bridge and past the old Town Bridge Tower where the Russians used listening devices directed on the streets to catch any conspirators. Today they would more likely hear the accent of a Japanese tourist bargaining for one of the many artist paintings of the city.
There were many museums and art galleries but with the kids in tow we decided to avoid these and spend out time wondering around the city streets. There was one museum that I am disappointed we couldn’t spend some time in – the ‘Sex Machines Museum’. Judging by the machine in the front foyer that involved a rotating thrusting array of objects I am not sure how I would have explained it all to the children.
As we headed back to the airport we passed out of the city and through the vast sea of panelak, Soviet-style concrete panel apartment blocks that ring the city on almost all sides. These rows and rows of identically architecturally uninspired buildings don’t exactly send you scrambling for your camera, but it is a reminder that all Cities have their less romantic side.
The end of another great trip, and I can gladly say that the people at work got it right. Prague is a lovely City and hopefully I know a bit more about Ms Czech than before - even if most of it I have forgotten as a result of the 25p beers!
Unfortunately it is to be our last weekend away. With the countdown starting to gather pace, it is time to spend what few weekends remain getting ready to come home.
But then again… may be we could squeeze one more trip in???
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