Touring Prague

Now I get to report on touring Prague for the past two days. The Prague tourist information website says you should see Prague in 3 days, and I think that is more than suffice, or even just two. But if you take it easy and don't power walk the whole thing like we did, then you can drag it out over 3 days no problem. It is a big city, but not too big. We literally only took two subway trains, one to get into the city, and one to get out. But you can easily get around under or above ground. So we went to the Old Town square to view the astronomical clock and tower then toured virtually all of the church's in the surrounding area. Petra and I both love going into these old churches, and neither are big on museums and artsy fartsy stuff. So we were perfect together as a sight seeing "couple". From the Old Town we crossed the Charles Bridge towards the Royal Palace and Cathedral. I wasn't overly impressed with the bridge and wasn't really sure why it was so famous.... It wasn't ugly by any means, just appeared to be a bridge with some statues on it. Petra looked amazed and said, "Because it has been there so LONG". It was finished being built in the early 1500's and is said that the mortar is mixed with egg yolk, which is why the bridge is so strong. Ok, I'll go for that, but there were many tourists and street "vendors" and "musicians" (beggars) along the bridge. Ok, I guess I change my mind a little about it! But on to a few more churches, an authentic Czech lunch (goulash and dumplings), then the Royal Palace. You can get a pretty good view of the city from the Palace, but there is an even better one if you go to Petrin view tower. It looks like the Eiffel, but smaller. We did not go on the funicular because of too many people, but could be worth a visit another time. From the Palace we strolled to the New Town and really just walked and took in the sights and sounds. It was really nice discussing culture, our thoughts on history, and what the mean of love and life are all about! I had such a great tour guide and an even better conversation companion, thanks Petra!!! But after dinner we strolled back across the Charles Bridge to view everything at night and it was worth the trip. I know I didn't get to bed until 12:30 and am sure it was late for her too. But a great day none the less!

Today we met and went to tour the Jewish Synagogue and "compound". There were about 6 different buildings in the old Jewish community to tour. We saw a VERY long list of city, family name, then given name, then date of birth and death written in an entire building. It was very sad to see so many Jewish names and how each had died in either 1941, '42, or '43. Why are so many wars fought for religion? And why does it still go on today? I think I agree that religion and politics should stay separate, but not to forget the principals of the other. At least from a Christian's perspective that is.... Any why was Hitler so against the Jews? Because they are smarter? Have more money? Mad because they killed Jesus? If so, then Hitler would have to be a Christian himself, or so it would seem. But his actions speak out against that fact.

Ok, enough of that too. But you can see that it was informational, thought provoking and I'm glad we got to see it. I look forward to going to Berlin tomorrow and learning more about the Holocaust there too. I will try not to get so deep in thought next time! And I hope to be able to post pics soon, this cafe won't let me download, they must be Internet Nazi's!

The graves were stacked one on top of the other, and the grave stones are the only evidence of what is buried beneath.