Last Day in Praha, Czech Republic

The second day was more relaxed, but we still did a lot of walking. We crossed over to Old Town and walked along the Vltava River, which is the longest river in Czech Republic. We made our way to a Church Nicolina had discovered on her own. There was this beautiful park and a view of Prague, the lesser known part. We walked along the sidewalk leading to the main view of Prague and in the distance you could see the Petrin Tower and Prague Castle. At this point, we were looking for some lunch so we went to this adorable market. Inside, they offered free samples of their olive oil accompanied with little pieces of bread. I definitely went for seconds, I only wanted to select what olive oil I liked the best... Afterwards, we walked toward Kampa Island, which had more swans and a beautiful view of Charles Bridge. We sat on a bench (mainly to rest our feet) but also to take in the beautiful sunny day. 

Vltava River 

Sitting on Kampa Island, Charles Bridge in the distance

We made our way over to Wenceslas Square, where I was in the mood for some tea. I tried a iced green tea with little slices of mango, thinking about it now makes me crave it, especially on this hot day in Madrid. Nicolina and I thought Wenceslas Square was Prague's equivalent of the Champs-Élysées in Paris. We poked our head into some tourists shops and eventually walked our way to the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square. The Astronomical Clock is the third oldest in the world and the oldest one still working today. This specific weekend in Prague they were celebrating Carnival, as was the rest of Europe. There was small festivities in Old Town Square. Nicolina knew of a hotel where we could go to the top to see a view of the city so we went on a mad hunt. Eventually, we located it and just in time for the ringing of the clock. My favorite part was seeing everyone gathered in front of the clock to watch the little figurines move and ring their bells. At the end of the little display, a man at the top of the structure plays a trumpet medley. I swear he pointed at me across the way, I waved. 

Wenceslas Square

Astronomical Clock on Old Town City Hall 

Everyone gathered around the clock

Prague at my fingertips 

Nicolina and I walked towards the Jewish Quarter in Prague. I caught a glimpse of the Old Jewish Cemetery, as no one is allowed to go beyond the gates. The sun was beginning to set and we decided to get one last glimpse of Charles Bridge. Charles Bridge is closed off to cars, so it is where tourists and locals alike walk to reach both sides of the city. Along the bridge, there are street performers, venders selling paintings and jewelry. Our last stop was the Dancing House, that I had seen in passing because Nicolina lived right across the bridge from it. I really liked this building and Nicolina said she learned in her class that it represents the figures of the male and female dancing movements. Since I was a huge fan of Czech food, especially the potato pancakes, we decided to get dinner and call it a night. I tried the famous goulash and I am a fan. Overall, I could not be happier that I decided to visit Nicolina because it was very special exploring such a beautiful city with someone so close to home. I hope one day we can go back. 

My two favorites: Nicolina and food

xoxo

First day in Praha, Czech Republic

I know it has been a while since I have posted, but I have been surprisingly busy. I will finish letting you all know about my time in the Czech Republic...finally.

 In Czech they pronounce Prague, Praha, which I really liked so no, that is not a typing error above. I know two days does not sound like much, but I like to think that in those two days I was able to see a lot of Prague, if not, almost the whole city. Thankfully, Nicolina is the perfect tour guide and she had each day planned out for us as well as the city mapped out in order to make our way around by foot (I mean...we also had a map handy). I just wanted to let you all know that we walked so much that the day I was back in Madrid, I was in bed all day recovering. I swear I am usually a pretty active person (aka: working out like once a month), but I was wiped out and it was completely worth it. 

On the first day in Prague, we spent most of our day in Malá Strana and Old Town. We walked through Petřín Hill and made our way to the Petřín Lookout Tower. Apparently, the artist was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris and it was definitely a close second. So I basically was in Paris and Prague at the same time, lucky me :) We saw a great view of Prague at the top, which was completely worth all the stairs we climbed. Afterwards, we walked along a trail to reach the Prague Castle. Along the way to the castle, we stumbled across this adorable outside market. I wanted to get my full Czech experience, which includes the food. I bought a black sausage...I still do not know why out of my selection I chose the darkest one, I initially regretted it, but it turned out to be quite delicious. I still do not know what it contained and I am okay with that.

Petřín Hill 

View of Prague, Charles Bridge

Prague Castle

Traditional Czech food

Front entrance of Prague Castle

Before going inside the Prague Castle, Nicolina and I found a great spot to take some pictures of the city...here comes our little photo shoot. Okay, so a little story I will have to share with you. Although we look so casual and happy in the pictures, there was a little incident beforehand. So we sat on top of a lookout, which means we had to hop up there. Nicolina was already sitting up on the corner so I tried going up on my own, like a big girl. She did not move over enough for me to get enough momentum to hop up so I was stuck trying to lift my whole body weight. Picture me literally just dangling my legs and trying as hard as I can to lift my body up. Nicolina just laughed with some encouraging words, "Come on, you can do it." No, no I can't. I don't think anyone realizes how weak I actually am, especially lifting my body. I could feel my face getting really warm and red because it was not so much the fact I was failing to lift myself up, but people were watching me. The man who we asked to take the picture of us was just staring at me, as were his friends. Then after an embarrassing moment of struggle and realizing that, okay, she really can't get up on her own, the man came over to me and lifted me up. I laughed nervously and snorted. I realized that even as a 20 year old, I will need a little lift sometimes. 

After the embarrassment

We went inside the St. Vitus Cathedral, which the Prague Castle surrounds and it was magnificent. The Cathedral had some of the most beautiful stained glass windows I have ever seen. Nicolina shared with me that the Church did not have enough money to finish some of the stained glass windows during the construction, so they had to contact the bank for some help. The bank agreed if only the Church put their name on one of the stained glass, a sort of advertisement. They agreed and it is the first time an advertisement ever appeared in a Cathedral. 

Advertisement: Right stained glass window, bottom left

We continued along the path toward the famous Charles Bridge. We stumbled across a little spot with swans. Swans are one of my favorite birds, although they can be a little aggressive, they are so elegant. I am always amazed at their beauty. Anyways, I did not realize that Franz Kafka was from Prague, Czech Republic and was initially confused by the museums, stores, and statues made in his honor. Then it clicked. I think one of my favorite moments involved a little girl and a unique fountain. I was standing outside the Franz Kafka Museum and Nicolina told me there was something a little different about the fountain, and I think a little girl realized it too... Afterwards, Nicolina and I bought these delicious cinnamon twists, only they were way better than any cinnamon twist you could buy back home. You could watch them as they baked the bread over a coal fire, very delicious. We stumbled across the Lennon Wall and then made our way to the Charles Bridge. After crossing the bridge, we were in Old Town. The sun was beginning to set and I got an evening look at the Astronomical Clock and we made it just in time for the hour. Every hour, the clock rings and little figurines at the top move their bells. We had been walking around all day and decided to call it a night. First day in Prague was a success.

Outside Franz Kafka Museum

Charles Bridge 

xoxo

My Day in Kutná Hora, Czech Republic

The first trip I purchased here while in Spain was to Prague, Czech Republic. Not only have I heard really great things about Prague, one of my best friends from high school, Nicolina, is studying abroad there for the semester. So there were two reasons I had to make it out to Prague, especially to see her. I am so happy I did because it was a trip I will always remember.

First full day in Czech Republic, my friend suggested to go to Kutná Hora, located in the countryside about an hour outside of Prague. The claim to fame for this small city is the bone church, literally an entire church decorated with human skeletons inside. Before we headed out, she took me to a park she had discovered that has a view of Prague and a mini zoo at the top. Afterwards, we managed to navigate ourselves to the train station and make it in time for the afternoon train.

 Once we arrived, we were looking for the city center. In Prague they speak Czech... Nicolina and I have no knowledge of Czech... I am assuming we looked very lost because two older men offered to guide us to the city center. We began talking with them to only learn that they just moved to the city about a month or two ago after living in California for fourteen years. It makes you really think how small the world is that two girls born and raised in California would meet two men who lived right outside of San Francisco. After seventeen years together, they had gotten married only last year and were planning their ceremony in Kutná Hora in a couple weeks. We ended up spending all day with them and they became our personal tour guides for the day. We never made it to the bone church, but that did not really matter. I learned a lot about them and their love for one another is engraved in my memory. They have traveled all over the world together and it made me incredibly hopeful for the future and the places I may see. My friend and I could not stop laughing how spontaneous our day was, but it was nonetheless a really great day.

Bird Whisperer

Nicolina trying to navigate through Prague...I am just taking pictures

Adorable store in Kutná Hora

View of Kutná Hora

Road to St. Barbara Church

Nicolina and our tour guides in front of St. Barbara Church

xoxo