FRANK's GREAT PRAGUE ADVENTURE
First written on 17-Jun-00
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When Frank arrived in Prague, he went around the city and took some photos to show the folks back home. He recorded his first impressions on this page.
Václavské Námesti
(Wenceslas Square),
Pogo Fans Please Note: I found no person who ever heard of Good King Sauerkraut
A visitor to Prague can easily spend an entire day just walking around, looking at the buildings, monuments, cafés, shops, and people. One sees many visitors from around the world as Prague is a major tourist destination during the summer.
It’s easy to get around in Prague. Apart from walking, the city has an extensive system of Trams that go everywhere. The Prague Underground is neat, clean, fast and easy to use.
Prague is a truly lovely city. The architecture reflects all periods of its
history, from the Medieval Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, Communist Utilitarian, right up to
Modern Contemporary building styles. Prague
escaped bombing during WW II, thus has remained intact, with buildings from the different
eras often existing side by side.
We are staying at The Prague Hilton, one of those curious combinations that features modern amenities inside an older building.
The Hilton edifice is a prime example of Communist Era Utilitarian Architecture
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Driveway, Garden and
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View of Tasteful Decor in Atrium Outside La Rhumèrie Bar“,Where Captain Luboš and His Pirates Wait To Mix Your Favorite Rhum Drinks.” |
Cultural Diversion
There is a great mixture of cultural traditions in Prague.Of course, American Pop Culture is found everywhere. McD’s, KFC, Dunkin' Donuts and other American chains are found everywhere. Prague has absorbed many different influences and has fashioned them into its own unique urbane arts oriented culture.
Music of all sorts abound. There are 3 opera houses (our Key Grip went to the Opera last night!), 3 different Philharmonic Orchestras,and many smaller Chamber Music venues,Jazz Clubs,Country and Bluegrass Clubs,etc.,etc.
The music scene, like the Architecture mixes old with the new.The music of Mozart, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and, of course, Dvorak is performed each day at many small halls and churches the town. Men and women in Baroque Era dress advertise the concerts. They carry signs advertising the concert as they hand out leaflets.
A Mook in Peruke
Food and Other Notes
We have found many good places to eat in Prague. We have sampled traditional Czech meals (roasted duck, smoked pork, beef, goulash, soups, dumplings, game, red and white cabbage, usually in a thick sauce), some fairly inexpensive. We’ve sampled a few of the fancier restaurants, most of which gave a good value for our Crown (perhaps it is time to actually write the book, The Per Diem Gourmet, that has been “in the works” for 30 years).There are pizzerias, cafés, wine bars where a traveler can get something to eat. The desserts and pastries are sublime. All portions are very large. The Czech Republic is definitely a place for Good Eaters.
What type of food is not readily available in the Czech
Republic? There is very little fresh fish here. Most of the seafood is frozen (there
are some fresh trout on the menu from time to time). There is a noticeable absence of the
Noble Crustacean here in this land locked country. Oh, there is some evidence of
Lobster on plates around town, but none that would be really fresh enough to savor.
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Some Lobstorial Details From Around Prague
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You can email
me here: frankielob@frankielob.iwarp.com
We leave you with this photo, which proves conclusively that, from time to time, a Czech does enter the mail.
