August 10 Prague Czech Republic

Took a Communism and Bunker Tour late this morning. Great tour. The tour was supposed to be about 3 hours but ended up closer to 4. A small group of 8 so was nice not to be herded around. The guide walked us through many small streets and talking about events that have shaped the politics of the Republic. The most notable is Nov 17, 1989 when the wall came down. Once again a Velvet revolution, no blood shed in the separation from Russia. Interesting that under communism that they did no have to use ration cards but there were shortages of some food at times. Grocery stores closed at 5 but most people have to work until 5 leaving no time for shopping so the kids had to do the shopping.

In 1993 Czech and Slovakia were split. The countries split without any blood shed.

Went into a bunker under the Hotel Jalta. This hotel was built for senior Communist party officials. The bunker is large enough to hold 150 people for 2 weeks but up to 500 people for a short period of time. It was build for a nuclear attach. It is not that big, it very crowded. Some displays set up including which hotel rooms were bugged, the picture does not show which rooms are bugged, but by how much they are bug. Apparently all rooms were bugged, even bugs in the hair/clothes brushes.

Then I took the 190 steps up to the top of the Powder Tower. Once again narrow circular stone steps. Great views of city!


August 9 Prague Czech Republic

By train and tram and funicular (tram that goes up hills) I made way up to the top of the hill. The city built a replica of the Eiffel Tower around 1900. There are just a few steps to go up. The views were pretty good although it seems a bit hazy. The park area is really dry. The grass is brown and the roses garden is not looking very good.

I walked down through the park area. All down hill! There is a nice breeze so not that hot and mostly in the shade. The trails and the sidewalks are all 3 inch by 3 inch cobbles stones. What a job laying those!

About half way down there was a nice little pond. A bit green but he quiet and peacefulness is a nice change from the busy city. The pond even had a bronze seal shooting water out its mouth!

Walked the rest of the way down and ended up at the lock. Not that big of a difference in water levels but the lock held 3 of the big river touring boats. Walked along and then over the Charles Bridge. The only pedestrian bridge. Very busy with people and character artists.

Took the Ghost tour in the old town. Some great stories, one about the alchemist that had his lab under ground and the fumes may have been causing hallucinations at the street level People were seeing goats so the square became known as Goat Square. By the old hospital in the Jewish section where you needed to select you doctor based on how bloody his jacket was because he would have much more experience doing amputations. It was interesting and gave a different look to the city. Even at 10.30 at night the old town square is still very busy


August 8, Prague Czech Republic

Caught the metro into town and found the tourist information. The city is packed with people. There is even a 3 on 3 FIBA world tour tournament going on. Very interesting and very busy. Walked around the old town. Amazing place. All the old buildings. The national museum is closed for another 3 years for renovations, the Opera house is closed for most of August, and the State theater is having renovations done as well.

Heard the astronomical clock go off. Crow and all. Death rings the bell, and the miser, vain and Turk playing an instrument all shake their heads. The clock is about 500 years old, originally but with a few added bits. The clock shows the time, date and moon period. I did not figure out how to read it all. There is a curse for anyone that looks at it, which is going to include a lot of people as the square is packed with people to watch the bell ring each hour.

It is cursed by the clock maker as his eyes were burned out so that he could not make another one. In retaliation he cursed the clock. Had lunch at one of the restaurants. We will have to be more careful, as the coke cost $6! Outrageous.

Then did a tour of the old city hall. Climbed the Powder Tower for a view of the city and then into the underground area. It used to be the street level, but then they built up the streets due to flooding and used the area as a jail. Interesting to see the lay out of the old shops form the 14 century.
Wander around a bit and then back to hotel.


August 7, Prague, Czech Republic

Relaxed at hotel until 1 pm train to Prague. Caught the tram to main train station and then a 1 hour train to Dresden. Here we had to catch a 2 1/2 hour train to Prague. Problem was it was 15 minutes late and then a few minutes into the trip, the train stopped. Apparently the engine was broke. We sat on the tracks for about 1 hour. The temperature outside was above 35 and felt like the same inside. It was a long 3 1/2 hour trip. Everyone was soaked with sweat.

They actually brought around free water! The country side was interesting. We past through one area that had very tall lime stone rocks up the river bank. One house on the top even had to build a bridge across two of the rocks. We arrived at about 7 and caught taxi to hotel. This hotel is attached to a university dorm complex. A few students around.

Walked down the street a bit to one of the local restaurants. Subway like but way better! Very nice bread and fillings of meat and cheese.