Prague, Part 2

 Prague, Czech Republic, Part 2

For our second full day in Prague, we decided to slow our pace a bit after our jam packed day before. We slept in, and took our time getting down to breakfast. Our agenda for the day? Slowly strolling the old town, soaking in the architecture, the history, the culture. Oh, and browsing the multitude of souvenir shops in search of a furry Czech friend for Ewan.

We started at Wenceslas Square, which turned out to be a short walk from our hotel. The square wasn’t really a square, but more of a long, wide boulevard with a park-like median in the center, with a huge statue of the Good King on his horse presiding over it all. 

Statue of King Wenceslas

We followed our Rick Steves’ guidebook describing the many gorgeous buildings and their significance. We rambled down the street, taking our time, popping in and out of little shops, looking up to admire buildings, snapping photos, and generally just enjoying ourselves. Once we reached the bottom of the square, we found a nice little cafe and decided we could use some refreshment. We split a couple of pasta dishes and each ordered a drink. The restaurant where we sat was right next to a trdelnik stand, and Ewan begged us to get him one there and then, but we told him we should let our lunch digest and not to worry and we would find another stand soon--they were everywhere. We lasted 5 minutes and stopped at the next stand we saw. 

Ewan eating a "Trdelnik" a.k.a. "Turtleneck"

As we walked toward the Old Town, we heard a commotion of upbeat drums, bells, and melodic chanting coming toward us. We looked around as the crowd of tourists parted to allow a band of men with shaved heads, clad in baggy orange MC Hammer pants, tunics and sandals come parading down the pedestrian walkway, dancing, singing, and inviting everyone to join in, to the delight of curious tourists, capturing the festivities on their cameras and cell phones. Yes, me included. After their brief performance, they continued down the street, leaving a few of their brethren behind to ask for donations and bestow their offerings of peace, in the form of some random plastic wrapped baked good which one of them tried to give to Ewan, which we politely declined.

We discovered a lovely outdoor market, where we ogled the juicy, colorful berries and other handmade crafts, including the multitude of marionette puppets, one of which of course Ewan just had to have. 

Ewan walking with his new marionette

We headed to the center of the main square, which is the heart of Prague, and positively flooded with people. We walked past the famous 15th century astronomical clock on the side of the Old Town Hall building, which put on a glockenspiel show at the top of every hour. We walked past Tyn Church and its beautiful towers and unusual spires. 

Astronomical clock from the 15th century at the Old Town Hall

Tyn Church

I had read about a music box office right near the church where one could purchase tickets for a number of concerts, held regularly in the city. We went in to inquire, and decided to purchase tickets for a show playing that Thursday night at the National Marionette Theater. I was excited because it was a production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute--my favorite opera. Yes, I have a favorite opera. Have you met my dad? In any case, it would be an abridged version, only 55 minutes, intended for children. Short enough that Ewan and Gavin would surely withstand enjoy it. 

After buying the tickets we continued to wander. We made our way back to the huge clock at the top of the hour to see the show, then we walked around to glimpse more of the sights: The Hussite Monument, Powder Tower, the Municipal House, various other churches and squares. 

Hussite Monument

Municipal House

Powder Tower

Toward late afternoon we found another cafe in “Fruit Square” right in front of the Estates Theater, where Mozart premiered Don Giovanni. We sat, enjoyed a drink, and moved on to find somewhere to get dinner. 

Estates Theater, where Mozart premiered Don Giovanni

After dinner we walked back through Wenceslas Square following Rick’s advice once again, to walk through a historic passage called the Lucerna Arcade, with an interesting modern statue of King Wenceslas on an Upside Down Horse hanging from the ceiling, and finished our day with an ice cream from a local favorite, also recommended by Rick.