A Prague Waitress

It was time for a light lunch.  And, this young lady was delightful.  She spoke enough English to help me figure out what to order!

Thank you so much!

Random People Roaming through Prague

I was a bit intrigued with this gentleman.  I like hats.  But, I don't think this one is my style.

Waiting for coffee.

That is some Weird Candy

I found these interesting tidbits in a candy store.  There were a lot of different types of candy that I had never seen before.  But, this......was a bit more than I wanted to purchase!

Sigmund Freud: Just Hanging Around

Meet Sigmund Freud.  Well, meet the statue of him in Prague.

He hangs above the street.  I have no idea why.  But, it was easy to spot and generated a bit of curiosity!

There are 30 Statues Along the St. Charles Bridge

They are arranged opposite one another, on both sides of the bridge.  And then, you stumble upon a few that are not along the bridge railings, but are just off to one side or the other, near a bank.

I rather liked this lonely fellow.  A new shiny sword.  And, covered with seagull poop...or pidgeon poop.   It must be a lonely life when you don't make the cut to be on the bridge.

St. Charles Bridge: More Music

Interestingly, more jazz music at that!

Nice resonator guitar there!

St. Charles Pedestrian Traffic

Just a few images of people wandering across the St. Charles bridge.

It was amazing to hear the different languages!

St. Charles Bridge and Street Artists

I must admit, people who have the ability to draw are amazing to me.  I stood around for quite a while watching the artist put a vision onto paper.

Prague and Movie Props!

Traveling with friends, we spotted a small museum and playground for little kids..filled with movie props!  We just had to test out the space rocket bicycle!

No space aliens were harmed and no ray guns were fired.  

Prague: Masks

I wasn't exactly sure what to think of this mask.  

I was pretty surprised when I saw it.   My impression is that most of Europe didn't want to be reminded of Hitler.  Still, there is some resurgence in Germany.  But, this was Prague.

Prague: Music is Vital to the Soul of Prague

I found this painted on a wall of a music venue.

I can hardly read it!

But, along the Charles Bridge, there was live music!  JAZZ!  I was a bit surprised.

And, I can't recall the last time I saw someone playing the Washboard!.

Nicely done, gentlemen!

Prague: Relaxing with a Glass of Wine

After a day of walking around, it was very nice to sit and relax on the walk back to the hotel.

As tired as we were, it was nice to sit and chat for a bit with friends.

St. Vitas Cathedral: The Gothic Style

It was impossible to get a size perspective of the St. Vitas Cathedral with the lens that I had.   But, it was useful to get details.

The different colored brick/stone work detail the centuries of construction.

And the external mosaics are still pristine.  It is hard to imagine this has survived as long as it has.

St. Vitas Cathedral: 4

The ornate stained glass is amazing.

St. Vitas Cathedral: 3

It was hard to miss the royal mausoleum in the middle of the cathedral’s chancel in front of the high altar. There were stairs that led down to the royal crypt where tombs of the Czech Republic’s royalty and patron saints were laid to rest. The two tombs on top were of Ferdinand I and his wife that were built between 1571 and 1589.

But the sarcophagus of St. John Nepomuk was impressive.  He was a Czech archbishop and martyr who died in 1393.   He was canonized in 1736 and an Austrian architect designed hise tomb.  It includes over two tons of silver sculpture. 

He is depicted with 5 stars over his head.

St Vitas Cathedral: 2

Quite a view for parishioners.

One can sense the majesty.  Imagine those 500 years ago immersed in just beauty and in awe of their surroundings.

St Vitas Cathedral: 1

The stained glass work in old cathedrals and monasteries is incredible.

These are taken in the St. Vitus Cathedral.

It was huge...and stunning.

It is amazing to me how much wealth and power the church had hundreds of years ago.  Perhaps it is true what Aristotle said, "Power corrupts.  And absolute power corrupts absolutely"