La Praha
Hello!
Thanks for all your comments, there were so many when we logged on today! It's great to have positive feedback from family and friends and lovely to know we're in your thoughts.
James, we're being James cautious, don't worry. Keeping an eye out for shady characters and pickpockets, apparently it's a big problem in this city in particular. And we're never out after dark - at this hostel at least, there's a bar downstairs to chill out in, and we're so tired after a day's wanderings that we just want to go and sleep!
Prague is an enormous city, it sprawls for miles, with hundreds of little alleyways (rather like Venice) and shops to spend your hard earned cash in. Lots and lots of crystal for sale, swarovski shops a go-go, glassware is obviously very popular here, probably with tourists and the like. The architecture is absolutely amazing - gothic spires, towers and churches, an imposing castle on the hill, 15th century facades, taking you back in time to when the streets would have been full of wagons and beggars.
The only downside is the obvious tourism boost to the city - thousands of people from all nationalities, which makes it hard to absorb the true atmosphere of the place. Only the Jewish Quarter and the outskirts seem to be free from the central rush. We wandered from building to building this morning, craning our necks to look up at the buildings - they're all on such a large scale that people are dwarfed.
The Old Town Hall is a magnificent building - it houses the world-famous astronomical clock which was built in 1410 and shows the revolutions of the sun, moon and stars in the sky and figures of the 12 apostles appear on the hour, every hour of the day. The original mechanics have been working nonstop for 6 centuries, which is pretty amazing. We went to the top of the Hall tower, about 8 stories, and had a panoramic view of Prague over the rooftops.
The weather was so hot (mid-30s) that we had to cut the day short and return to the hostel and read in the garden. The garden is a lovely escape from the hectic city - the tables are old singer sewing machines, and ashtrays are metal tins from the 1950s. In the mornings, a full breakfast is served for about 2 pounds in a little cellar next to a chapel, and 40's music is played low from the speakers. The place is a gem, and we're so lucky to have found it.
Tomorrow, we will be going to Kutna Hora to visit the Bone Church (a church decked out with the bones of hundreds of people who chose to be buried within the grounds). Going to be a fantastic/macabre sight!
Just to say:
Mina & Philip - Have you decided anything about Italy? That goes for you too, Lydia! Let me know...
Zegna, Chris & boys - When are you off on holiday, can't remember? Let me know before you go, have a really great time. Hope you all had a really good time at Nathan's birthday party, sorry I wasn't there.
James - Hope work is going ok, missing the tea and chats, looking forward to seeing you when we get back
Sue, Alan, Gran & Cats - Well done for posting a comment! Very interested in speaking to Michael, will call him when I'm back. Moving on to dragon country soon so will keep an eye on the skies! Lots of love
Gpa & Gma - Great to see your comment, hope you're both doing well!
Sallie & Tim - Thanks for posting, its good to know this is being read all the way across the Atlantic! Hope you're both doing well
Thanks again everyone for posting, it really means a lot to us to read your comments - its nice to be reminded of home!
Will post again tomorrow
Lots of love
H&M (A for Lydia, to keep the confusion at bay) xxx
Thanks for all your comments, there were so many when we logged on today! It's great to have positive feedback from family and friends and lovely to know we're in your thoughts.
James, we're being James cautious, don't worry. Keeping an eye out for shady characters and pickpockets, apparently it's a big problem in this city in particular. And we're never out after dark - at this hostel at least, there's a bar downstairs to chill out in, and we're so tired after a day's wanderings that we just want to go and sleep!
Prague is an enormous city, it sprawls for miles, with hundreds of little alleyways (rather like Venice) and shops to spend your hard earned cash in. Lots and lots of crystal for sale, swarovski shops a go-go, glassware is obviously very popular here, probably with tourists and the like. The architecture is absolutely amazing - gothic spires, towers and churches, an imposing castle on the hill, 15th century facades, taking you back in time to when the streets would have been full of wagons and beggars.
The only downside is the obvious tourism boost to the city - thousands of people from all nationalities, which makes it hard to absorb the true atmosphere of the place. Only the Jewish Quarter and the outskirts seem to be free from the central rush. We wandered from building to building this morning, craning our necks to look up at the buildings - they're all on such a large scale that people are dwarfed.
The Old Town Hall is a magnificent building - it houses the world-famous astronomical clock which was built in 1410 and shows the revolutions of the sun, moon and stars in the sky and figures of the 12 apostles appear on the hour, every hour of the day. The original mechanics have been working nonstop for 6 centuries, which is pretty amazing. We went to the top of the Hall tower, about 8 stories, and had a panoramic view of Prague over the rooftops.
The weather was so hot (mid-30s) that we had to cut the day short and return to the hostel and read in the garden. The garden is a lovely escape from the hectic city - the tables are old singer sewing machines, and ashtrays are metal tins from the 1950s. In the mornings, a full breakfast is served for about 2 pounds in a little cellar next to a chapel, and 40's music is played low from the speakers. The place is a gem, and we're so lucky to have found it.
Tomorrow, we will be going to Kutna Hora to visit the Bone Church (a church decked out with the bones of hundreds of people who chose to be buried within the grounds). Going to be a fantastic/macabre sight!
Just to say:
Mina & Philip - Have you decided anything about Italy? That goes for you too, Lydia! Let me know...
Zegna, Chris & boys - When are you off on holiday, can't remember? Let me know before you go, have a really great time. Hope you all had a really good time at Nathan's birthday party, sorry I wasn't there.
James - Hope work is going ok, missing the tea and chats, looking forward to seeing you when we get back
Sue, Alan, Gran & Cats - Well done for posting a comment! Very interested in speaking to Michael, will call him when I'm back. Moving on to dragon country soon so will keep an eye on the skies! Lots of love
Gpa & Gma - Great to see your comment, hope you're both doing well!
Sallie & Tim - Thanks for posting, its good to know this is being read all the way across the Atlantic! Hope you're both doing well
Thanks again everyone for posting, it really means a lot to us to read your comments - its nice to be reminded of home!
Will post again tomorrow
Lots of love
H&M (A for Lydia, to keep the confusion at bay) xxx
posted by the travellers at 7:38 pm
2 Comments:
Wow! La Praha has really inspired you.
I hope there are lots of inspirational photos to further enhance the inspirational writing. Look forward to seeing them in the fulness of time... The boys are with me at the moment and we have been reading the blog together. Samuel was going to write a comment, but has gone all shy... But he says that I can send his love.
Nathan's bash was good fun and we had a good bop.
Look forward to reading more, keep up the good work. Great so far and getting better.
Love you lots. Big hugs.. Mxxxy XXX
Hello lovies!!
Got the hang of this now. Check your blog every day to see what you are up to. Sounds like you are having a fantastic time and taking in lots of culture. See Amalia, Daddy walking us round the whole of Italy has held you in good stead!!! Hope your shoes are comfy!
We are off on holiday on the 19th back on the 2nd August, can't wait! Will have a lot of catching up to do when we return.
Look forward to reading the next installment.
Love to you both
Zegna, Chris, Samuel and Leo
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