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Old 05-10-2016, 08:16 AM
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joseph engraver joseph engraver is offline
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Location: Sarzana,Italy
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Default Prague

Prague Czechoslovakia
Imagine boarding a time machine and going back to the 13th century, and a country where the language, spelling, and culture are totally foreign. This is what Franca, her sister Giuliana, and I did when we landed in Prague for a six day visit.
Franca had made all the reservations for room and transportation, including a chauffeured Mercedes sedan. For the first time in my life I did not have to drag our luggage behind me. Our accommodation was located in 18th century villa, which had been updated with an elevator. That was something I appreciated, as our suite was on the fourth floor. After settling in, I could not help but notice that Raphael had also stayed there, for above the bed was one of his paintings.
My first view of the heart of Prague was more than I could have imagined. The streets were wide and sidewalks level, neatly fitted in mosaic cobblestone patterns, and there was not a speck of trash.
I did discover as I walked over one of the 18 bridges that span the Vltava River the water looked more like sewage, even though there was no foul smell I knew that local fish would not be eaten by me.
Prague is called the city of 100 towers, most of them decorated with religious symbols, many in real gold. My first thought was this must be where Walt Disney got his inspiration for Disney Land...It is also know as a city of sin, but I avoided those temptations.
The most impressive bridge is the Charles Bridge built between the 14th and 15th century and named after King Charles the 4th .It is decorated by 30 soot stained statues of saints and kings and is the main destination for tourists who want to see Prague Castle as they make their way through the artist, musicians, and vendors that congregate on the bridge.
As for food and service it was wonderful. However be sure to check the bill and count your change as the Czechs have a problem with math and the mistakes seem to be always in their favor.
I went looking for a casino where I could enjoy an evening playing poker. Prague has many casinos and I inspected them as we walked the city. Each one I went into had slot machines but no poker room. My belief is that slots are for suckers to lose their money and I never play them. I did find one casino that advertised live poker. The name is Gold Finger, that alone to me was a warning, anyway I went in and found the entrance located on the second floor ,accessed by a stairway covered with faded and worn red carpet overseen by a floor manager who looked oriental and very seedy. That ended my quest for a good game of Texas Hold Em.
One of the amazing thing about Prague is the city escaped the destruction of the Second World War. Except for the bombing that was caused by the Army Air force who through a navigational error carpeted bombed it instead of Dresden, killing700 civilians and wounding 1500 while destroying190 buildings.
After burning out seeing castles, statues and old villas decorated with baroque and art nouveau, visiting Salvatore Dali and Alphonse Mucha exhibitions, I found one of the many parks to rest my weary legs and enjoy watching the endless parade of adults, children and dogs.
Here are some of the sights that I found during my trip to Prague.
I hope you also find them interesting
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Lemo service.jpg (56.9 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg A bit of gold and silver.jpg (56.8 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg best picture of the trip.jpg (81.0 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg Charles Bridge 2.jpg (41.1 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg I want one.jpg (68.7 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg my residence for a week.jpg (45.5 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg Good King Wenceslas.jpg (32.5 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg King Wenceslas Square.jpg (104.5 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg Kings castle.jpg (50.3 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg Old Town Square.jpg (67.5 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg over view of Prague.jpg (58.0 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg portrait artist.jpg (57.0 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg Raphael was here.jpg (43.4 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg the only way to see Prague.jpg (82.8 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg My favorite pix.jpg (20.3 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg more inspiration for me.jpg (78.9 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg could not resist this pix.jpg (65.4 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg The tour guide of my life.jpg (68.2 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg tile work 17th century.jpg (71.2 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg uphill to castle.jpg (71.4 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg View from South Garden.jpg (72.6 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg A bit of gold.jpg (53.9 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg Cathederal entrance.jpg (81.8 KB, 0 views)
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