prague

After missing my connecting train, almost leaving my credit card at a random Czech train station booth, and then taking a fancy cheap business class train in to Prague... I had arrived!

Apparently Czech beer is the best beer in Europe. I stumbled upon an outdoor market within 15 minutes of leaving my AirBNB and tested that statement and grabbed a tomato mozzarella panini. It was very good beer! And the prices were great. 

So I knew nothing about Prague honestly besides that there was some kind of famous clock. I soon discovered that the architecture of the city is quite famous for being charming (truth, it's so pretty!), it has a pretty famous bridge (St. Charles), and there is A LOT of cobblestone (ouch).

There were a lot of tourists here but it was still a fun city to explore by all means. I did find a super hipster craft beer bar and enjoyed a beer with some kind of cheese and bread platter for dinner number 2.

I stumbled upon the famous clock. It was under construction. I should probably look up why it's famous. Also, I took a really great selfie with it the next morning but I'm saving that for a Europe 2017 outtakes post. 

For the record I averaged 6-6.5 hours of sleep each night this trip, except for the first three days (jet lag recovery + pre-marathon sleep). I was very excited to get out and photograph during golden hour and see sunrise. This does not bode well for my trip idea next year.

I asked foreign strangers to take my picture which was a rather amusing experience. In hindsight, I should have moved a little farther away from the cigarette butts. But hey, look, Prague Castle behind me!

St. Charles Bridge - go in the morning...or else. I went later this day in the afternoon and it was INSANE. So many touristy vendors, tourists - it was very difficult to move. The night wasn't as bad surprisingly.

The walk up to Prague Castle is uphill by the way. On cobblestone. I was so excited the night prior, I actually did go up there that evening. Then I went again this day because I actually wanted to go into the complex when it was open. There was a Starbucks up here that probably has the best view of all Starbucks (pretty much the view above). 

It wouldn't be a Europe trip without visiting a cathedral or 3. This is St. Vitus Cathedral.

Oh hey that's me.

I got there 5 minutes before everything opened because I am that person. It was a very pretty morning.

Charming!

Violence with a hint of charm! Not pictured: Mulled/Hot wine with spices. I don't know why that's not popular in the US but it needs to happen.

The Lennon Wall. Smaller than anticipated and a little more graffiti than one would prefer. 

If you don't take a picture in front of the Lennon Wall, it didn't happen.

Then I walked over to Wenceslas Square. Generally another touristy shopping area by the City Hall. 

And with some creepy art installations.

I had lunch at 2:30p because what are meals? The AirBNB host recommended Kolkovna Celnice - a Prague chain with Czech food so naturally I got the Czech sampler platter. Yes, that is meat. It tasted so good for the first 3 bites then I was over it. I enjoyed my beer and the cheese at the top there the most.

It was actually a national holiday - St. Wenesclasus Day so I could only go into the Cathedral during a specific time in the afternoon. So yes, I made the trek back up the cobblestone hill to the Castle complex to check out the inside of the cathedral. It was worth it and beautiful naturally. 

I am also glad I went back up because I totally missed that you could climb the South Tower of the Cathedral for a wonderful panoramic view of Prague. It was 297 steps. The girl in front of me really struggled in her platform flip flips and it probably took 100 steps of me following her very closely before she gave up and let me pass. 

These views!

Hi Spire!

From there my daily grumpiness started to settle in post-this epic sunset and I couldn't even tell you what I had for dinner but I can tell you it was NOT pizza. This place seated me..then let me sit for 10 minutes and then I went up and asked for a menu and they said they were closing in like 45 minutes and didn't know if they could serve me. I was peeved. Anyway.. now that I think about it, I had a veggie wrap that was pretty solid however not enough food for how much I walked that day. 32k steps and it felt like it!