Erin + Prague = One Happy Kevin

Erin and I shared a wonderful weekend. We explored old town and saw the astronomical clock spark to life at the hour.

For dinner I introduced her to traditional Czech food—twice the fat and half the price of the rest of the world’s dinner fare. My charade of knowing the city like the back of my hand was shattered the next day after trekking through the snowy air from tram stop to tram stop searching for the National Gallery. Our night was “illuminated” by a black light theater performance—highly talented dancers and spectacular effects mixed with mediocre miming. We finished the night in a posh restaurant for chocolate fondue. A quartet was playing with vigorous flair. A leather coated man with more silver in his mouth than dentine/enamel tried to sell us some flowers. The lack of price made me uneasy and the clarification “Come on—I not mafia…” made me even more so. It seems this is the intimidating Czech version of the balloonist at Applebee’s.

Saturday we reached Prague Castle in time for the changing of the guard. A surprisingly melodious march filled the air as one row of fur-capped sentries replaced the other.

Prague Castle sits atop Prague, and its wall offers a nice view of Malá Strana (Lesser Quarter).

Although pots made as early as 3500BC have been discovered on the grounds, Prague Castle was officially founded in the 11th century. It has been under construction ever since; the Cathedral was completed in the 20th century. Rather than attempt a history lesson I am unqualified to give, I offer some photos of the Castle (which I am qualified to give after purchasing a $1.20 photo pass):

19th century replica of the king’s throne where the king met with an early version of parliament.

Golden Lane was built in the 16th century for goldsmiths so they could avoid the town’s guild dues.

St. Vitus’s clock tower’s massive bell requires four people to chime.

The old entrance to St. Vitus’s Cathedral

My beautiful girlfriend putting the new entrance to shame.

Alfons Muncha’s contribution to the Cathedral. It is actually painted, not stained glass.

St John of Nepomuk’s impressive silver tomb

OK, this last shot was just me having fun on the computer. It was inspired by the fact that Prague Castle used to be considered a state of the art research facility for alchemists.

That evening Erin and I saw our reward for enduring volatile weather all day. A clear sky was filled with a full moon, and the ground sparkled with snow like Bohemian crystal…