Monday, November 24, 2008

bohemia praha!

Finally, I am able to upload more than 2 pictures per post! Now for more, catch-up...

There's a tour group in Italy called Bus2Alps, which is geared towards students studying abroad in Florence and Rome. My roommate and I went to Greece with them and liked it, so along with a few of our neighbors, we decided to do the Prague trip. The bus ride was overnight, but I was actually able to sleep a little bit! After a little less than 12 hours on a bus, we arrived in Prague. I literally had no idea what to expect, but I was blown away! I fell in love with it the minute I walked into the city center. 

The word I have been using to describe Prague is enchanting. The architecture is absolutely gorgeous and the foggy weather along the river made it a quintessential Eastern European city. It also made me think a lot about Christmas!

We basically walked around all day and looked at the beautiful architecture and the gorgeous squares around town. 


The Tyn Cathedral in Old Town Square



The Astronomical Clock


The clock was pretty cool... it had a bunch of hands and it reminded me of the watch that Dumbledore has in the Harry Potter books. Every hour, the clock would chime and little doors would open to reveal puppet-like figures that seemed to be saints or some other religious figures. 



Horse-drawn carriages in Old Town Square.


We also went to STARBUCKS! I was so excited, even though I had it in Athens a week prior, but since it was cold in Prague it was perfect to stop in the warm cafe and rest with a hot latte or walk around with it warm in your hands. 



Enjoying my first Starbucks latte in Prague.


The tour group took us on a tour to the Prague castle, which was basically a big area with all sorts of buildings on top of a hill. 



View of Prague castle from the King Charles Bridge



View of Mala Strana from Prague castle.


After our tour through the cathedral at Prague castle, we broke away from the tour group and roamed about Mala Strana, which was a cute little area. We got some lunch, which of course included hot soup, since it was so cold! Then, once again... we went to Starbucks! To be fair, it was a different one.... and it had two floors!



In the cute streets of Mala Strana on a cold day.


Overall, I absolutely loved Prague! It has been my favorite non-Italian city that I have visited. It just has so much charm and everyone was nice there. We did a few American things like a bit of shopping in New Town Square and we also made several trips to Bohemia Bagel which had mostly American food, including an egg-bacon-cheddar cheese-bagel sandwich that was delicious! I wish they had a Bohemia Bagel in Firenze!

ciao

3 comments:

Alex ♔ said...

aww cuuute..
your description of starbucks & walking around with it warm in your hand made me crave christmas.. & starbucks, obvi.

Kristin said...

i absolutely love your pictures from prague!! I know I say the same thing about all of them, haha. anyway, I have decided that I definitely need to go there!! I wonder what the best time of year to visit is...any thoughts??

Angry Anne said...

you are beautiful and your pictures are beautiful! I want to see the astronomical clock!