Leaving Praha Tomorrow
Well, we leave tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM sharp. We are going to a small town/village in Moravia. It's called something like Troyanovik. We'll only be there one night & then to Aushwitz and Krakow.
Today, though, we had a really wonderful day. Our guide, Hansa (he looks like Johnny Depp!) took us on a walking tour of what used to be the Jewish Ghetto. There are very few Jews left in the city & the ghetto has been rebuilt in Art Nuvoe style, but the synagogues have been turned into museums & memorials to the Jewish History in Europe. I toured the Pinkas Synagogue that houses drawings done by children in the Terezin Concentration Camp. It also lists on the walls of the building the names of all 80,000 Jews who never returned from the Holocaust. The Jewish Cemetery was also amazing!
After that we had some hours on our own. I had errands to do, watch battery to replace, stamps and hairdryer to buy. We met at to hear about the Velvet Revolution in 1989 from Hansa who was there! Right in the middle of the demonstrations! He was 14 years old! Anyway, he told an amazing story about the events that occurred through his own eyes as we followed the route of the students' first demonstration and to Wenslasas Square where the following demonstrations were held. He is very intelligent and passionate about Prague,Czech history and his beliefs and philosophy. Ithink we are lucky to have him on our tour.
Then we went to the Municipal House for a classiscal concert with the National Orchenstra of the Czech Republic. What a day! No time for lunch & I'm just now going to grab a bagel sandwich here at Bohemian Bagel & head back to get organized.
Oh, I must tell you about my roomy, Gretchen. She is a reading teacher from Tempe, AZ. We get along very well, but each time we go to a different place, us gals will be rooming with a different person. This way, we will all get at least one time with a room by ourselves. Many other interesting & friendly people. Last night, Gretchen I& I went our to dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant near our hotel, very authentic atmosphere and food.
Well, I may not be able to post for a day or two until we are settled into Krakow. Hope it's not too hot at home & everyone is doing really well. Enjoy the photos below.
On the Charles Bridge.
Gretchen & I up at the castle looking over Praha.
The Jewish Cemetery, there can be over 12 layers of people because of shortage of space.
On our Velvet Revolution Walk, looking towards the National Theatre.
Hanza speaking about his experiences at the Memorial to the Velvet Revolution.
Wenslasas Square
posted by Stephani at 12:29 PM
3 Comments:
What a great tour of Praha!! All is well here, still hot but not quite as bad. Picked Lapins today but not as many as hoped. John says they are not yet dark enough so will have a short day tomorrow.
Dad
Steph sounds as though you are having a great time! Thanks for the pictures (you must have done this before 'cause the other girls have sent nothing!)they are awesome. Is this Johnny Depp knockoff with you the whole trip? Wink, wink. Things are A O.K. here keep us posted, James.
Yes, Praha is a really fun city! I found some very helpful places to get my pictures up on the net. One place downloaded them & sent them to a user station. The other showed me how to copy them straight from the camera!
How is Cap't Jack? Hope that cherries are over soon, so that they can be enjoying outside more.
Yes, Johnny, is actually our tour guide & he is awesome! Last night he dressed up in a Wallachian sheperds costume & looked even more like Johnny Depp! His wife, also a Czech, is joining him on this tour. It's her first time visiting some of these places.
Post a Comment
<< Home