After group 2 arrived last night, we all walked to dinner and then went on a quick walking tour around the Old Town Square and the nearby area.
This morning we met in the lobby early and got on the tram to Prague Castle. This complex of buildings has been the site of the Czech governing entities since the 800's! Even today, the Czech President still lives in a Villa on the grounds and his office is in the buildings that we walked by. In fact, we stood outside in the court yard right below the presidents office. It is on the second floor and we were right below the balcony. We were about 50 feet away from presumably where his desk is. This is amazing given this is the equivalent of the Oval Office and in the US there is so much more security. When we commented on this to our guide Hanna, she said "The Czechs are not as important and nobody really cares as much". That gives you an idea of the power and influence that our country has versus others in the world.
We spent the morning touring the historic sites of the grounds and learning about the history of the country in context of what was happening at the Castle (actually a huge complex of buildings- not just one structure). There is a beautiful Cathedral that took 600 years plus to complete, so it was a great example of many architectural styles. We saw great halls, torture chambers, windows that people were thrown out of, incredible stained glass windows, a replica of the Czech Crown jewels and heard stories that bring history to life!
Lunch was in a restaurant right on the castle grounds and it was a welcome relief to warm up. It is SO COLD. Many of the buildings we were in, including the Cathedral do not have heat. Many of us commented that it would be hard to get people to come to church when it is so cold. JP says that would have been part of his remodel plans.
After lunch we went back to Old Town and shopped the markets. Several boys went to the big Sports Store and bought things to take home.
Our dinner this evening was at Pragues first brewery. Then we walked along the river and over the Charles Bridge. There is a spot on the bridge that you put your hands on and can make ONE wish. This is where a religious martyr was thrown from the bridge. Because he was actually a good guy, it is believed that it is good luck to stand where he was thrown from. The water looks COLD.
Our walk ended at the Black Light Theater...more to come from one of the boys on that.
This morning we met in the lobby early and got on the tram to Prague Castle. This complex of buildings has been the site of the Czech governing entities since the 800's! Even today, the Czech President still lives in a Villa on the grounds and his office is in the buildings that we walked by. In fact, we stood outside in the court yard right below the presidents office. It is on the second floor and we were right below the balcony. We were about 50 feet away from presumably where his desk is. This is amazing given this is the equivalent of the Oval Office and in the US there is so much more security. When we commented on this to our guide Hanna, she said "The Czechs are not as important and nobody really cares as much". That gives you an idea of the power and influence that our country has versus others in the world.
We spent the morning touring the historic sites of the grounds and learning about the history of the country in context of what was happening at the Castle (actually a huge complex of buildings- not just one structure). There is a beautiful Cathedral that took 600 years plus to complete, so it was a great example of many architectural styles. We saw great halls, torture chambers, windows that people were thrown out of, incredible stained glass windows, a replica of the Czech Crown jewels and heard stories that bring history to life!
Lunch was in a restaurant right on the castle grounds and it was a welcome relief to warm up. It is SO COLD. Many of the buildings we were in, including the Cathedral do not have heat. Many of us commented that it would be hard to get people to come to church when it is so cold. JP says that would have been part of his remodel plans.
After lunch we went back to Old Town and shopped the markets. Several boys went to the big Sports Store and bought things to take home.
Our dinner this evening was at Pragues first brewery. Then we walked along the river and over the Charles Bridge. There is a spot on the bridge that you put your hands on and can make ONE wish. This is where a religious martyr was thrown from the bridge. Because he was actually a good guy, it is believed that it is good luck to stand where he was thrown from. The water looks COLD.
Our walk ended at the Black Light Theater...more to come from one of the boys on that.
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