life across the pond...: Weekend in Prague

Ok, so once again, I admit that I have been a slacker! :) I promise to be better about this moving forward, as mom reminded me that there are alot of people that aren't on Facebook that want updates! So here goes...

Last weekend, I t00k a quick weekend trip to Prague, Czech Republic. Apart it from raining the entire weekend, I had an amazing time! I arrived in Prague on Friday around lunchtime, and headed straight for Old Town Square after getting checked into my hotel. It was incredible! One of my friend's called it the "grown man's Disney Land" and I think she pegged it just right! At the heart of Old Town Square, you find lots of shops and outdoor cafes, street performers, historic buildings, churches, and of course, the famous astrological clock! I spent much of Friday just walking the streets and taking in the beauty of Prague. I went in and out of the crystal shops, picked up a few wooden Bohemian stacking dolls, watched a candy making demonstration at a Chocolate Shop, toured St. Nicholas' Church and the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, stood under the astrological clock as it chimed marking a new hour, enjoyed some gelato, got lost in the Jewish quarter, and finally made my way over to the famous Charles Bridge. That evening, I kicked my aching feet up and sat at an hour door cafe for several hours...people watching, enjoying the crisp summer air, and enjoying some fine Czech cuisine!

The next morning, I got up early and headed straight for Prague Castle. I had been warned that it is a tourist trap, so i decided to get an early start to beat the crowds. It was a good walk uphill from where I was staying, but I eventually made it, and boy was it a treat! Prague Castle sits high up above the city and from the top, you can see everything. I didn't pay to tour the castle, but I was able to walk the castle grounds for free. I was also able to tour St. Vitus' Cathedral which is within the Prague Castle complex. It was enormous...and grandiose. The stained glass windows were absolutely breathtaking...they were probably the most ornate stained glass patterns that I have ever seen.

Later that afternoon, I ventured back across the Charles Bridge and into Old Town. It was pouring rain on Saturday afternoon, so I spent much of the remainder of the day huddled under the umbrella of an outdoor cafe.