Saturday May 23, 2009

We arrived yesterday, safe and sound around 1 pm local time. Although terribly tired and jet lagged, we staggered out to do some grocery shopping at Albert's, and got caught in the rain for our efforts. Hera cooked a delicious chicken soup (we were so dehydrated from the flight), and with the rain stopped we stepped out and walked about.


Our apartment on Vodickova Street is less than half a block from Wenceslas Square. As we walked towards the Old Town we bought one of Prague's ubiquitous extra long sausages (about a foot long) from a street vendor. Of course Hera wanted the spiciest sausage, which we shared. It was indeed delicious, but while spicey, was not overly hot.

We walked into the Old Town square, Prague's tourist Mecca, and meandered about the tiny streets that radiated out. Even exhausted, Hera still marvelled at all the crystal shops, and had to enter at least Sharowski's crystal shop.

Feeling our fatigue, we re-entered the square, sat at an outdoor bar and had a wonderfully refreshing pint of Pilsner Urquel which is much more bodied and flavoured than the one we have back home. Enjoying our beer, we enjoyed people watching, and the seeing them scurry to the clock tower for the hourly show. We were just too tired to move or be bothered at the time.

Walking back home, we picked up a second foot long sausage close to home. Hera wanted the same type of sausage, and this one was spicier. By 7 pm, we crashed for the night, having accomplished our task to not go to bed on arrival.

We awoke refreshed and ready for the day at 8 am, and look at the wonderful view from the huge wall to wall windows that spans the lenght of this large apartment.

After some hard boiled eggs and bread, we once again headed off to Albet's supper market. We dropped off the groceries, and then headed off for the day. Once again we made our way down Wenceslas Square (the good king Saint Wenceslas that is sung about in the Christmas carol), and then the narrow streets towards the Old Town Square. We looked at the shops, crystal is everywhere as are marionette shops as well.

The architecture is stunning covering styles that I might discuss later, with various details on the walls and roof tops.

We walked over half way across the famous St. Charles bridge, but the crowds we so dense, we decided to head back.

Instead, we followed winding streets and felt we were in little Italy with all the Italian restaurants. We ended up at the Jewish Quarter, and while everything is closed on Saturday, we did manage a peek into the ancient cemetary, where tombstones crowd each other, almost on top of each other.

We continued our stroll, and found another Albert's on our quest for spices. Disappointed, we walked into a relatively modern department complex, similar to the Eaton's centre. We scoured the inforamtion map at the entrance, and found two possible stores that might be able to furnish our much sought after spices. Down hearted that neither carried any spices, we noticed another Albert's that we at first thought was the one we had just recently entered. But it seemed different, and indeed it was. FINALLY we found some spices, and bought our cherished Oregano, Basilica, and ground pepper. We eyed the various Paprikas, but decided to hold back for today... Until we find out which is which...

Products are only written in Czeck, and usually does not look or sound anything close to English or French nor Turkish. But it is amazing what a picture can say.

Back home, Hera made a great pasta fazulli with a mixed green salad, all garnished with the cherished spices. A cold beer, wonderful view, and great company (each other), what else does one need.

Now it is time to step out for an evening in Prague.

Cheers,

Hera and Anthony