Prague, Czech Republic

A morning walk to the Old Town Square

I'm surprised I woke up so early this morning, despite the events that transpired last night. I can still see and my ears are still attached to my head. Don't know what all the big fuss is about absinthe. Or maybe I just didn't have enough of it to go mad.

This is something I didn't expect to see here. It's just right around the corner from where I'm staying.

The skies have been a perpetual grey since I've arrived - something I would have expected of Berlin, but not Prague. I suppose this is why November is low season. Still, if it's a choice between being around people and seeing the sun, I'd happily live in this eternal gloom forever.

Prague Castle tour - the Charles Bridge

Last night, during the pub tour, I bought a three-pass from our tour guide. I should have bought it during the Esoteric tour, but I wasn't thinking. If you recall, I did go to Prague Castle on the first day, however, I didn't see a castle, so I thought that a tour guide would be a helpful thing to have along.

We met up under the Astronomical Clock, as usual and walked toward the Charles Bridge. The guide, Monica, stopped to give us a quick history of the bridge and King Charles, who commissioned it.

There was a small ensemble that was playing on the bridge. It drew our attention away from what Monica was saying, which seemed to irk her a little.

Up the hill

When we got to the other end of the bridge, Monica told us to wait at the tram stop, while she went into a nearby store to buy tram tickets for us. Prague Castle is at the top of the hill - in my opinion, it's a nice walk and rather a shame to have to take the tram, but there were some people in our group who didn't look like they could make the trip up.

The castle grounds are quite the site. Enormous courtyards for the royalty to wander, well-groomed shrubberies and of course, statues of people being brutally murdered at the front gates. These statues are called The Fighting Giants, though when I asked Monica about the origins of these giants and whom they were fighting exactly, she said she didn't know.

(edit: a friend of mine has informed me that the Fighting Giant with the club and bearskin is, in fact, Heracles - or 'Hercules', as you Roman-influenced people might know him as).

St. Vitus' Cathedral

Just past the gates with the guards and the Fighting Giants is St. Vitus' Cathedral. I don't know any more about it now than when I first saw this place a few days ago, but I do have more photos.

Scenes depicting the Crucifixion, the Ark of the Covenant, the Crusades and other important events in Christian history decorated the tops of the entrances. Inside, there cathedral looks strange, as it contains the work of a few different architects, spanning over many different periods. Certain archways are taller, others are wider. Even the stained glass inside is inconsistent. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but lots of people were lining up to take a look.

St. George and the drunken masses

Here is the Christian hero, St. George, slaying the evil dragon. We're all familiar with this story, yes? Very charming.

This statue stands just outside the cathedral. The history behind this statue is interesting: it used to have red wine flowing out of it, into the bowl of the fountain below. However, the townspeople got so drunk off the free wine, that they wreaked havoc on the surroundings.

The wine was henceforth cut off, just as St. George's head was, when he was executed by the Romans.

Pinky and the Brain

A bite to eat, back down the hill, across the bridge and home.

What did I do tonight? The same shit I do every night. Had a brief nap, then went out for some drinks and company.

Gonna have to try something different tomorrow. During the day, at least.