Saturday began with all of us piling into tiny cars (at least 6 people in each one) and driving around hairpin bends for several miles to the bus stop to Prague. Once we arrived in the outskirts of Prague we took the metro into the city to our hostel, all the while lugging our suitcases. Jackie had booked us 3 rooms, but the hostel was divided into two different buildings across the street from one another so Rachel, Ruth, Luice, Gill, and Jackie ended up being in one building in two different rooms, and Bob and Don were in the other building. The building where the girls were staying had four flights of winding stairs to get to the rooms. However, the hostel did offer free wi-fi which was really nice.
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| On the hostel stairs after moving up all the suitcases. Phew! |
After we had settled in we headed out to do some sightseeing. First thing we did was go to a local mall and get American food that we'd all been craving: pizza, McDonalds and Giros. Jackie took us to a beautiful Italian-style garden out of the way of the main tourist traffic. It was beautiful and provided gorgeous views of the city.
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| In the garden |
Next, we went to see the US Embassy in Prague and walked over St. Charles' Bridge which was filled with tourists, sidewalk hawkers, and live musicians.
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| The Americans outside the US Embassy |
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On St. Charles' Bridge looking over the Vlatava River
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We went to a market in the late afternoon for some souvenir shopping and then we met up with some Czech students who had been at camp with us and who lived in Prague. Together we went to the Old Town Square to see the famous astrological clock strike six in the evening. It is a whole ceremony and the square was filled with people.
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| Ruth with her students Ben and Kuba (glasses) in front of the astrological clock. |
After the clock, we went to a candy making store called Viva Praha. We were unable to get inside the church because it was closed for the evening so we went to get dinner. After we ate, the group split up. Ruth and Luice went with the Czech students and the rest of the team went back to the hostel. The Czech students took Ruth and Luice on an adventure through Prague. It was awesome. The first stop was The Bridge of Locks. Lovers write their names on padlocks, lock them on the bridge, and then through the key into the river.
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| Our group on the Bridge of Locks |
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| Spontaneous group shot. |
When it was fully dark, we climbed a hill in a park overlooking the city and enjoyed the view of Prague all lit up.
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| Prague at night |
