Unfortunately I’ve run out of steam when it comes to blogging about  my Europe trip.  There is something real about blogging while the thoughts are still in your head.  It’s another story to blog post-trip.  (Most) of the thoughts, realizations, epiphanies, etc are still in my head, but I feel like I burn myself out.  I’ve spent the last 2 weeks, since I’ve been back from my trip, sorting through the 700 pictures I took, fixing up the good ones, and uploading them to Picasa.  (Thank god that is finished!).

So let’s see what stories I can muster up this time.  First, let me give you a visual of how the city is mapped out.

Day 1

Josefov (Jewish District)

Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague

This was formerly the Jewish ghetto until the Roman Emperor, Joseph II, freed them.  As a thank you, the district took his name.  I wanted to start here so that I can work my way down through Old Town and finish up in New Town for dinner.  I bought a museum pass so that I could check out all the museums in the District, but realized I did not opt for the more expensive one to include the Old New Synagogue.  I also found out later that the Spanish Synagogue was not to be missed.

After visiting the Old Jewish Cemetery, I continued to follow the guide books preferred walking path.  It took me around the entire district while avoiding stepping on old footprints.  While I was in the north east corner of the district the aromas of goulash flooded the narrow streets and my senses.  The aroma drew me in and I sat down to thaw out, regroup for the next area to explore and of course eat!

Staré Město (Old Town)

Old Town Square

Old Town was just how you paint Prague in your head.  All the stories of beautiful architecture is right here.  There are hundreds of small shops and a lot of traditional Czech cuisine.  If you’ve been to Venice, Italy before this shared the small town feel, but without a million tourists.  I think Venice is beautiful, but waaaaaay too touristy (thus the reason for locals to flip signs and arrows pointing the wrong way).  Old Town is none of that, but with all the beauty.  In the center of Old Town lies the Astronomical Clock.

From wikipedia:

The astronomical dial has a background that represents the standing Earth and sky, and surrounding it operate four main moving components: the zodiacal ring, an outer rotating ring, an icon representing the Sun, and an icon representing the Moon.

Nové město (New Town)

Wenceslas Square, New Town, Prague

New Town is just that… newer.  The architecture isn’t as magnificant, and in my opinion, like many other cities in Europe.  I don’t want to knock it, but after coming from the last two areas this just wasn’t even on the same level.  Nonetheless, there are several bars and restaurants and lots of shopping here.  The National Museum is also at one end of the strip (pictured above).

Total time on your feet: ~7 hours
Total calories burned: 10,000 

Day 2

Malá Strana (Lesser Quarter)

Nerudova Street, Lesser Quarter, Prague

Malá Strana is one of the oldest areas in Prague.  Like many villages that reshape and adapt to wants and needs, Malá Strana was in close proximity to the castle and became a thriving area of merchants.  The center of the town, known as Malostranské náměstí, is where I spent a lot of my time.  Not only are there lots of great eats, it also happens to be home of a Starbucks with free internet and a free resting place of students from the nearby universities (including Jenn’s).

And for those of you I’ve told about the “beehive of meat”… I wasn’t kidding!  And you can get it too.  If you happen to be in Malá Strana that is.

Olympia in Little Quarter (Malostranská), Prague

Prague Castle

Gates of the Prague Castle

The Prague Castle is the largest, ancient castle in the world.  It was first built in the 9th century, but as its rulers changed (or were assassinated — poor Wesceslas) so did the castle.   My favorite picture of the trip is probably the statues of the warriors at the front gates.  I would surely be scared out of my pants if I was a merchant delivering goods to the king in those times.  The statue alone would be enough to keep my eyes on the ground.  Geezz!

Prague Castle from the top of Vysehrad

Day 3

Personally, I would spend at least a week in Prague as I did.  It gave me two solid days of sight seeing before I slowed down and enjoyed my thoughts over a cup of tea.  If you have only three days I would recommend taking the third day to just relax.  Go back to your favorite area and just take it all in.  Where you are — the aromas, architecture, everything!

Of course if you are the ADD type or if you have more time there is much more to see.  Just south of New Town you will find the Vyšehrad castle.  The grounds are beautiful and there are quite a lot of sights around the castle.  Unfortunately the sun decided to part with us quite early and we only had time to snap a few shots.  You can, however, get some great shots across the river at the castle (as I did above).

Vysehrad Castle, Prague

There are also several day trips you can make from Prague.  We decided to make one to the Pilsner Brewery in Plzen.

Na zdraví! (Cheers!) — Plzen, Czech

Goulash soup — Plzen, Czech

Tips/Recommendations

• You may think they are bringing you bread with your meal, and they are, but for about $1 USD
• Drink plenty of pilsner and kozel (recommend)
• goulash is not just soup (unlike Budapest).  if you want the soup make sure it says “soup”
• Observation:  It’s interesting to see these colossal cathedrals and buildings being visited by people from around the world in just complete awe.  And more importantly, it’s crazy that its exactly what these emperors, conquerors and murderers intended.