The Ball Family: The Czech Republic

We went to Prague – the capital of the Czech Republic. We were told that it is no longer Czechoslovakia and that we should say the Czech Republic. When Germany took over the area before/during WW II it put two countries together and called them Czechoslovakia. When the USSR dissolved then the two countries went back to their original names and nationalities. OK.

Prague is a massive city and driving through parts of it, you can see the Communist influence. When you visit Prague as a tourist, you go to the old part of town. The Cathedral was built in the 800’s and then rebuilt through the ages. The castle is the largest complex in Europe. the Jewish part of Prague is the last reminder of the Jewish community before WWII. The others were burned or destroyed. It is a small thing, I suppose but on Saturday when we walked around and did our shopping – the Jewish section was closed. The synagogue were being used for the Sabbath and the stores were all shuttered and closed for business. I was impressed.

Seems like a random picture but this is one side of the building that the Astronomical clock is situated on. It is so cool and old. I am not sure how old it is but was the time of the town square – It is like a cuckoo clock in that it has figures that pass by inside the clock. They stand for the 12 Apostles and have certain characteristics associated with each. Look above the fast of the clock and you will see the windows.

The skeleton, is of course a symbol of death that we all have to face. After the clock goes off there is a bugler that plays on top of the building. It is really something to see and hear. I think my favorite building in Prague.

People waiting for the clock to go off. It was complicated by having a church very close and the bride and groom coming out for pictures.

The first day we took a tour of Prague. It was a 6 hour tour and mostly walking although we took a boat ride and took a van to the castle. (Long walk)

It was a 6 hour tour and so I can’t name all of the buildings but they were amazing in architecture.

One of the amazing statues. King something (sorry, lots of kings).

We are on the boat tour and this was inside. We hadn’t left port yet and so the background looks closed. We were served ice cream and water. Beer, tea, coffee and water and a version of lemonade were also served. The tour took us to see some small areas around the bridges. This is a waterwheel. It would be interesting to live in these houses.

More of the town from the water. The Cathedral and the palace are in the background. Next on our tour was a middle ages restaurant. The picture makes it look brighter than it was as the whole place was lighted with candles. The thing hanging on the rope above is a snake skin.

The fireplace was huge and the bucket was massive. I could have walked into the fireplace to cook. Luckily for the cooks they have fairly modern kitchens.

Sitting at our table, Mandy doesn’t look happy but we all had a good time. The food was very good.

Thought this was an interesting site. A museum of medieval Torture instruments!

The outside of the Cathedral. Parts of it were extremely old but some of the outside was rebuilt as late as 1920. The stain glass windows were magnificent .

Close up over the entrance. Sad the colors didn’t come out well.

One thing I did notice though, is that in these big Cathedrals, you really can’t feel the Spirit. Maybe, it was because we were just tourists and not trying to find spiritual enlightenment but they were beautiful. The ceiling was even incredibly ornate and lovely.

Waiting for our tour guide. Several of our group were left behind and she had to go find them.

On one of the buildings there were gargoyles but they were in the shape of men. I can’t remember (towards the end of the 6 hours), something about their shape changing.

Outside of the palace. The guards are not supposed to even twitch. They stand that way for an hour before being relieved.

We came out of the palace and this overlooked the city.

The streets in the old part of town are very narrow. We did not drive at all through this part. The taxis are, of course, insane and drive them with not a care in the world. AHHHHHH!

Part of the town square.

At a park, right by the town square there was a magician and part of their act were these snakes. Nathan did get up the nerve to touch one. It reminded me of so many years ago when I was expecting Asia. We went to the Singapore zoo and came across a man with a huge snake. Shelly wanted to touch it and we have a picture of it draped around her shoulders. A close up. It crawled up her dress and she had a snake around her neck. Ewww.

A parting shot of Prague. The buildings were amazing and it was an interesting adventure. The next day we went shopping and walked at a more leisurely pace to see Prague.

After we got back from Prague, we went to the Ritter Sport museum. It was very well done and this is what a cocoa tree looks like. They have the history of the business and how to make cocoa.

This was cute. It is supposed to be the factory and warehouse. You push a button (Mandy is demonstrating) and a little truck comes out of the factory and follows a little road. As it passes the bridge beside Mandy it drops a small chocolate into the slot and then you get to eat it. It was very popular with everyone.

The back of the “warehouse” and how it collects the chocolate to give out.

The reason we went to Germany. He is really cute and we are going to miss his babyhood. We grabbed a couple of pictures as we left. Gideon loved riding on Nathan’s back and they really had a good time with each other.

Aurora and her swirly dress. What a great smile!