Prague, Czech Republic

Date: 17 January 2007 19:15:58

Well, I was not disappointed. Everybody that said this was one of the most beautiful European cities was absolutely correct. It was more expensive than Poland but still far cheaper than Western Europe.

I took the day train from Krakow which took about 7 hours through some rather nice countryside. That afternoon I went straight to the Old Town Square:

The next photo is one of the spires of the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn where, at the back in the 14th century, people had to pay to use the market place:

On the opposite side of the square is the Old City Hall where a large Astronomical Clock is mounted on the side:

You can read more about the clock and how it works here. This clock is quite an attraction and a meeting place for a huge number of walking tours. Large crowds gather on the hour to watch the 12 apostles parade through the two little windows at the top.

The next day I went to the castle which meant walking over the Charles Bridge, seen here:

There are two plaques about half way down the bridge that apparently bring you good luck if you touch them. You can easily spot them because the tarnish has rubbed off after many people touching them (you can see the other one over my shoulder, I chose to pat the dog):

Just by one of those freaky chances, I got to the castle at about 11.50 and there was a crowd of people being cornered off. The change of the guard was about to happen! What a nice time to rock up at the gates. You can see that on the first floor of the building, the band is playing from the windows:

What seems to be the big draw-card of the castle is a beautiful church right in the middle of the complex. It really is lovely (actually some of the best churches I have seen were in Poland and the Czech Republic):

and yes, I was one of those annoying people that pestered the guard by having my photo taken with them:

That night I went to the Opera for the first time (I say first because I ended up going 3 times in the 6 days I was there). It was cheap, really really cheap to go the National Opera. For the grand total of 2 euros you can sit on the 4th balcony, it's high up but I think people can cope with the vertigo for such a bargain price. You certainly get a good view:

While in Prague I also went to Don Giovanni (marionette style) and some Black Light Theatre. Black Light Theatre is certainly an interesting experience. It is non-verbal theatre and the whole stage is illuminated with a black light. I guess you'd call it interpretive dance. You can see some pictures of it here.

The next day I took the train for a day trip to Kutna Hora. The purpose of this visit was to visit the 'Bone Church'. Innocent looking building on the outside, but inside, they have used the bones of about 40,000 people to make the decorations. Don't understand? Take a look at my pictures (this chandelier supposedly uses every bone in the human body):

and this is me (looking rather happy, mind you!), standing in front of a coat-of-arms made out of bones. In the background you can see something that looks like a mountain, there are no wires holding this together, it's all skulls and leg bones (from what I remember):

I was travelling with some people the day I visited the Bone Church and we just couldn't get over this place. It gives you the strangest feeling and I couldn't help but laugh sometimes. I mean, who really discovers a bunch of bones in a mass grave and decides to built the decorations to a church? Very strange indeed.

Mind you, that wasn't the only strange thing in the Czech Republic, I also went and had a look at their telephone tower. Nothing really strange about it looking from a distance:

but take a look at what is crawling on this building:

I certainly can't say that it was a boring trip!

In other news, my boyfriend arrives here tomorrow! It makes me feel quite nervous because I haven't seen him in nearly 3 months. I am very excited but also a little scared about what is going to happen. I told him that I could meet him at the train station in Den Haag but I have actually taken the time off work to go to Amsterdam and surprise him by meeting him at the airport (hopefully he dosen't read this on his Japanese stop-over it might not be such a surprise!).

P.S. As I understand it, no great improvement with my Grandfather. He is still in intensive care, so please continue to keep him in your prayers.