Prague

Thursday 15^th August

We woke up every time the train stopped. It stopped for ages at a 4am, probably to split the train into 2 parts: one to Berlin and Mannheim and our section to Prague. However, once the train started to move the rocking motion sent us back to sleep only to wake intermittently as it stopped at Liepzig and others. We woke at about 8.30 had a breakfast box and cuppa and arrived at Prague at about 10.30. Caught a few trains and walked to our hotel. WOW.

This address of 9 Bartomejskahas has a incredible history for the past 800 years. It appears to have been a bargaining chip in the politics played between the Catholic Church and various rulers of Prague. The land was handed over to the church to start a convent for the Grey Sisters,who have been here on and off ever since. Most recently the 500 nuns and novices were sent to prisons by the Communist Secret Police who used the buildings as secret torture chambers which also held the soon to be President - Vaclav Havel . Prince Charles was a guest here to commemorate the overthrow of communism here in the velvet revolution of 1989 with Vaclav Havel. Prince Charles also donated money from his foundation to restore Prague in 2004. And thereby this Hotel Unitas was created on this site. It is a very beautiful hotel with lovely wide corridors and large rooms with plenty of with compliments: glass of champagne, bottles of water and apples on arrival, hors d’oeuvres when leaving. Good linen, extra pillows plenty of chairs and desk space.

But better than the hotel is the town, with plenty of great food and beer all for the easy picking. It is a pleasure just to stroll to the square which is full of entertainment: acrobats, jugglers, heavy metal bagpipe players in black leather dresses, trampoliners and around the square there are recitals in the churches and art shows.

In the afternoon we strolled around the Old Town and visited the Mucha Museum. Alfons Mucha was a Czech artist who pioneered the Art Nouveau movement. The museum houses many of his original drawings, paintings, sketches and lithographs. There is a really interesting 30 minute video, which gave us a break from standing and walking, and there is a great gift shop.

We watched the Astronomical Clock chime and move all its special parts at midday, joining the throng. We have climbed the tower at the Town hall and had a 360⁰ view of Prague. This tower had a lift, so we took full advantage of the modern contraption, we are so over steps, or at least until we get to the castle.

We attended a “Black light Theatre” production after our dinner on the Square – which was called the Czech special – roast duck, sausage and baked ham, with two types of dumplings and red cabbage and, of course, beer. Guess who is a happy man!

The Black light Theatre seems to be a Prague specialty, as we have seen at least two theatres. It’s a theatre/dance production involving black and fluoro costumes that glow in the special light. The dancing was fantastic, and the acting was corny. Strangely, there were about ten curtain calls – MTC would love the response this troupe got.

After the show we strolled along the river to the Charles Bridge, walked across and came back – it was difficult to see the statues as it was dark. We’ll come back in the day time. The views around the town form the river and the bridge are beautiful, all lit with golden glow.