Prague

During my planning, of all the destinations on our adventure, Prague seemed to be the most exotic.  I think that I must have seen a few Cold War ear spy movies set in Prague, because the place seemed just a little mysterious to me. Although the alphabet and money was different from the rest of the EU and something about the town seemed a little, well bohemian, it wasn't long before we fell in love with Prague. It's architecture was stunning, the history was rich and the city's vibe drew us in. 

We began our day at another communism museum. We had just about exhausted the subject, but still had room for one more little museum, this time with a Czech slant.  

We then wandered the city, stopping at Wenceslas Square. This is the site of various celebrations and protests throughout history.

 We found the Old Town City Square, wandered around the alleyways and center, especially in awe of Prague's Astronomical Clock. The clock was installed in 1410 and is the third oldest in the world, but the oldest still operational. On the hour, trumpeters blow their horns from the tower, adding to it's impressiveness.

We then crossed the Vltava River to the Prague Castle. We climbed staircase after staircase to the top of the hills, taking breaks along the way, in order to reach the palace. The castle is the largest castle structure in the world and houses multiple religious and royal structures. We were quick in the palace, due to tired legs and little children, but felt that the trip across the river was well worth the effort.

One of my favorite spots in Prague is the Charles Bridge. It was constructed in 1357, connecting the Prague Castle with the Old Town. It is ornately decorated by a continuous alley of thirty baroque statues.

During our wanderings in Prague, we discovered Trdelnic, which are hot rolled pastries, dusted with cinnamon sugar and nuts. Of course we had to try these cultural treats.

 The highlight of our time in Prague came as a surprise. After wandering the city, we returned to the Old Town Square for one last look around. When we arrived, the entire plaza was full of energy. The Denmark hockey team was playing the USA. Meat and potatoes were being sold in huge vats under a tent and hundreds of Praguians were cheering for their European neighbor. Of course we grabbed some local fare and joined in the cheering. We were amongst the very few who shouted for America. We sat in the square until the sun was setting and then we gathered the kids just as the crowd began to dance and the vibe picked up. Czech Republic was next to face off, and we knew that the crowds would get wild. If it weren't for our six children in tow, we may have stayed, but instead, we headed down the maze of narrow roads looking for our car.

 Prague did feel a little more foreign and even slightly mysterious, but we left having fallen in love with this charming city.