Friday already - can't believe we have only been away for one week! (I think that means we are cramming a lot into a short space of time which is what holidays are all about) Thank goodness for our industrial strength liver detox tablets, probiotics and Berocca 50+ to keep our insides happy:)
Yet another big day planned. This time to Prague Castle on the opposite side of the river. It looks like the opening image in the Walt Disney movies - absolutely spectacular. It is a short walk for us, just over the Charles Bridge. For those of you thinking about visiting Prague, I could not recommend more highly where we are staying. Liliova 8 apartments are in the centre of the old part of town, but a lifetime away from the madness of the city centre.
Advertisement over! The morning started with yet another average coffee but with a lovely view , so worth every Krona. We sat right near the astronomical clock, very famous for being built in 1410 and still working. It chimes every hour, and thousands gather to watch the performance it puts on. A bit like a cuckoo clock but classier :) Now the town square is obviously the 'go to' place for wedding parties. No joke, they are lining up to stand in front of the clock and pose. Have no idea where they actually marry but, it is an all day phenomenon. Like at all weddings, the photographer completely takes over the event, followed around by the make up artist who powders noses and touches up the brides face (So to speak ). Now I only took 2 happy snaps of the couples, and let me say, one bride and one groom required some serious camera filtering as any amount of makeup seemed to be a lost cause:) - I will let you guess:)
Onwards to the Castle - stopped halfway across the bridge for the obligatory photo with the Castle in the background (see pic). Tried to use my $2 reject shop tripod to set up the camera to take a shot of both us. Thank goodness a lovely American couple offered to take our pic and we then took theirs. Well 30 minutes later, (unlike me to chat for that long :) we were officially 'besties' and had arranged a dinner date for tonight.
Rest of the day was exploring the castle, followed by a great river cruise (finally!) and then home to prepare for a concert we had booked earlier in the day. I had persuaded John into attending something cultural. It was advertised as an evening of 'songs from the musicals', and was being held in 'Historic St Michaels Monastery'. It only went for one hour and I thought it would be lovely to join the locals in some evening entertainment. Well, we were escorted into a room by 'Lurch ' who could only say in English- 'vodka, iced tea, coke and champagne 50 krona'.Things weren't looking good. 10 rows of chairs, similar to a school concert. It had the ambience of the New Lambton Scout Hall and there was a total of 18 people there. I really felt for the people in the front row who paid extra !
Well the anticipation grew as 6.30 approached. On the stage was a piano and a harp - and as Lurch collected all the glasses and shut the door. The lights dimmed. Suddenly the door is pushed open again by an invisible arm (we suspect Lurch) and 2 immaculately dressed women appear. One is the pianist for the night and the other the vocalist. Well with no introduction, she launches into her first song, one of John's favourites Hello Dolly:) Now the un-named vocalist is Czech, singing in English, so sadly she does struggle with some pronunciations. She also struggles with body movement as her idea of really getting into the mood of the song, is to slightly twitch her left wrist. Now as we bop along to 'Dolly vill never go avay again' and 'somevere my love', the crowd is in her palm. The man in front with the large camera and gut to match is snoring, and Miguel Jiminez (famous cigar smoking golfer) look alike is playing games on his phone. Meanwhile, the 2 couples behind us have got the giggles and cannot bring it back - there is wheezing, snorting and lots of tears and of course it is difficult for John and I to really focus on the singing:) her final number of 'Cabaret' bought the house down. She really started to get into it (I think I detected a slight shoulder move and a foot tap) as she belted out 'I love a Cab - a - ret'! Well the one saving grace was that it was only 1 hour of our life we won't get back, and we got to drink a champers for 50 krona :)
Off to meet Erica and Mat from Oregon for dinner. Great company, late night, BIG day!
Tomorrow a train trip to Karlsteja Castle. Xx