Saturday 30th May 2009

Today was another overcast day with light rains falling on and off throughout the day. With our polars and rain jackets, we tackled our day.

First stop was the Mucha Museum. One of the fathers of the Art Nouveau movement world wide, and an important figure for Czech nationalism. He is the artist that captured Sara Bernhardt's sleek elegance on pastel coloured posters that are instantly recognizable. In addition his hand can be seen in many other decorative arts from illustrations, to stained glass, including a large window at St. Vitus Cathedral. I had known his work, and was familiar with it, but I had not known his name until today. His greatest work, called Slav Epic, displayed in another city, is a series of 20 huge pieces that recount universal moments of history as the background to more intimate moments of the life of individuals. It is the fates of individuals against the backdrop of history.

The next stop was the Museum of Communism, that ironically sits next to a very large MacDonald's and Casino Hall. It traces the roots and ideas of Carl Marx and the implementation under Lenin. From the hopes and ideals it promised, to the harsh reality of life under communism. How the young Czeckoslovakia, betrayed by the French and English democracies that gave away a portion of the country away to Germany to appease Hitler, fell under the Soviet sphere of influence. The re-educattion under Stalin, to the growing resentlment of the Soviet's hold of power over the country.



The Prague Spring of 1968, where the resistance of Czeckoslovakia was forcibly put down by the U.S.S.R. And where a young student, Jan Palach who loved life, but wanted to live in freedom, set himself on fire. On the 20th anniversary of his death, huge demonstration swept the city, that continued and ended with the Velvet Revolution, and the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia.

Feeling our tummies growl, we picked up a delicious sausage from a street vendor, and kept walking the streets of Prague.

We walked into the Municipal House, a lovely example of Czech art nouveau, and spied a charming cafe that we plan on returning to one day for a bite, if only to enjoy the lovely architecture. Tours are held here as well, but we decided to save it for another day.

Along the way, we again walked into a crystal shop, and Hera picked up a crystal pendant that she wanted, and once again we found ourselves at the Old Town Square.

The rain started to fall lightly once again, and we decided to make our way home to refresh before setting out for another night in Prague.

At home, we ate a chilly with corn and spicey Balaton Klobasa sausage. Yummy !

The evening looked promising, and we headed out for our walk. We walked through the Old Town Square, and was heading towards the Charles Bridge, when we noted a winding road that we had not traversed before. So lovely and picturesque, with small alleys that branched off the road. Suddenly the rain started once again, and soon fell heavily. We scurried under a door way, and soon befriended a couple of fellow Canadians now living in London for a year.

As the rain lightened, we parted on our own ways. Making our way slowly back home, we walked into a few crystal shops once again, and surely not for the last time.

Now comfortably at home, we tasted another beer, and will settle down for the night.

Cheers,

Hera & Anthony