Day 2

Day 2: 1/2/08

I got up early before my 'roommates.' They came in last night around nine when I decided to go to sleep around nine cause I was tired after all the traveling. Then they came in again around midnight. No worries. At six, I got up, got ready, and got going by seven. I went directly to the metro station to the wrong place. Once I figured out where I was, I hopped on the next metro and took off for Old Town. Road signs are small and hard to notice... and in a different language so it took some time for me to figure out where to go. But then I ended up on the other side of N- road. I found myself staring at the St Charles Bridge. So I went across it.
The Prague morning was dark and chilly but the sun was starting to rise. The sound of water flowing over a dam and birds cawing at each other was all I heard. Hardly any people were up, much less on the bridge. Someone is doing some reconstruction on the centuries old bridge, which is understandable. But what was not understandable was the smell of beer in the middle of the river. Unless... the Vltava River is beer! That's why Praguers love it so much! Praguens? Praguesters? Pragueiens?
From the Charles Bridge, I walked over Kampa island, Prague's version of Venice. From there, into Little Town, what was once the only civilization outside Prague Castle. And yes, I was heading for the castle. But whenever I started walking down a street, I would see something and go “Ooh! What's that?”
Many rabbit trails and moments of destination-hesitation, I climbed some stairs, turned around, and there she was. An outer Baroque-fashioned castle wall, trying greatly and greatly failing to hide the St Vitus Cathedral's twin spires of magnificence. Flying buttresses surround the building long ago engineered and long ago created. They say it took centuries to finally erect the structure like it is now with partitions and adjacent chapels. I desperately wanted to take more pictures but my camera was whining about a low battery. Passing the giant cathedral, almost the size of Notra Dame, I touched St George's Basicalla, climbed down the Castle steps, and looked out at the city of Prague.
Bridges stretched across the meandering river. Synagogues and churches stretched towards the heavens in the distance, some making their way higher than others. On the west side of the river, Little Town's houses and palaces were all alike with wonderfully made bright red roofs. Gardens and courtyards were strategically placed amongst embassies and museums. Far away, I could see the giant TV tower and wondered if I should go back yet. But what for? I'm in the sweetness that is Europe! Hostels are for sleep only and free internet access if they have it.
Right after the castle stairs is a metro station so I took it into Old Town. I knew which way not to go, so I went the opposite direction. I recognized the green dome of the Church of St Nicholas, which is on the edge of Old Town Square. I quickened my pace (if that's possible). My first sighting of the Square was slightly disillusioned by the fact that they were tearing down Christmas paraphernalia but still... I slightly gasped at the sight of the Tyn Cathedral. Don't get me wrong, Vitus is by far more impressive, but something just clicked in: this is Prague. The Church of Our Lady before Tyn dominates the illustrious Square. Bearing not just spires, these two towers spike up multiple times with ball bearings rounding out the edges. I guess just in case if one of them falls and pokes somebody's eye out.
The Square also holds a statue of Jan Hus right on the spot where he was burnt at the stake for being a Protestant. Gotta love the 1500's, eh? More Baroque architecture stretches around the Square on almost every building. Except the Old Town Hall and its famous Astronomical Clock tower. On the southern end of the Square, at the top of every hour, this giant clock has a little parade go on above it, or so I hear. Some miniatures move on tracks, or something of the sort that you see in cartoons, I suppose.
Stopping at a cafe, I got a coffee and water. I got charged 150 crowns. Exactly. I think the lady just set that price in her head cause she quickly realized that I didn't speak Czech. Aw well, I'll pay five bucks for a latte like that any day.
Coming to the entrance of Wenncelas Square in all of its grandeur, I turned around cause I wanted to figure out, now, where my apartment would be. Before I had to drag all of my luggage around. I was to meet up with Petr, the landlord, but he had to run off and pick up another student. He apologized and now I'm typing this in a different apartment than the one I'll have tomorrow. But who can get agitated while in Europe?
And the day isn't even done yet! I'm wondering if my roommate is coming here, or if I'll meet him tomorrow. Either way, I'm gonna go out now and try to find some food and more photo opportunities. Besides, the only thing on TV is something I can't understand.