Prague Journal

Saturday, December 11, 2004.

Partly to make up for not being able to show Vicki around Prague yesterday, and partly because there is just too much to see of Prague for one short visit, we left our flat early for a whirlwind tour of some of the high spots. We began our journey by tram to Malostrana and then up to the Castle for a morning touring St. Vitis Cathedral, St. George Basilica, and viewing the city from the high castle walls. We spent some time in the shops at the Golden Lane before heading down the walkway to Malostrana and then towards the Charles Bridge. From there we strolled down to Staromĕstská, just as the astronomical clock (orloj) struck noon. Having missed the striking of the hour, we went in to the Prince Hotel café for what we thought would be a quick light lunch.
Two hours later Vicki went outside to see the clock’s figures move while I wanted a full twenty minute for the waiter to bring the bill. Of course, a steep service charge had been added, so I could not adequately show my displeasure at his lack of service.
We walked through Old Town Square, through the Christmas markets to the Tyn Church. The cold weather did not alter the lovely harmonies from the carolers on the stage in front of the church, bundled up in parkas. Over the next two weeks, there are community and school choirs at various places and times at most of the main squares. We headed down Celetna to the Municipal House and from there to Můstek for a stroll down Wenceslas Square. By this time it was 5:00 p.m., so I called Rick to see what plans he had made for the evening. While we had originally intended to take Vicki to a “traditional Czech” restaurant, Charlotte had called to invite us to her house for pizza and beer.
Choosing good friends and conversation over showy food, Vicki and I walked back down Wenceslas Square, and turned on Na Přikopĕ toward Charlotte’s flat. We stopped to pick up a bouquet of flowers, not daring to bring wine (Bruce is a wine connoisseur) or dessert (Charlotte makes the best dessert crepes of anyone I know). The pizza was delicious, the wine was heavenly, and we were too stuffed with Fanny May chocolates to even think about another dessert. We three Chicago girls did a lot of reminiscing. It felt like we had known each other a long time! I will not be happy to see Vicki leave tomorrow.

posted by JWinn @ 8:38 PM