(August 26-29, 2023)
I don't know about you, but I have heard of Prague for years and how beautiful it is but I really didn't have a vision of how it looked, how big or small it is, what kind of food we would be eating and how our experience would be. I was also concerned about being in a Slavic country with a very unfamiliar language and a monetary system that is not based on the Euro. The Czech Republic was our first country in Central Europe and we immediately noticed a difference in the architecture. The buildings in the old town, where we spent most of our time, was gorgeous and ornate, and really there was something memorable around almost every corner. I think formality was very much a part of the culture. Fortunately for the Czech Republic and, really, the world, Prague was never bombed during WWII so the historic buildings are still standing. According to Mr. Large's son-in-law, Papi, the Allied planes didn't have enough fuel to get all the way to Prague and so they left it alone. For whatever reason, this city is a treasure and we loved our four days there. It's like catching a glimpse of what life was like 150 years ago. Fancy!
As we usually do, we began our sightseeing with a walk to get oriented. We strolled by the opera house and in front was a sign for an orchestra concert. We walked right in and bought tickets for a Mozart program, with a few other favorites thrown in. In addition, there was an opera segment and a ballet segment too! I was surprised by that but...whatever!
That night I dressed as well as I could, considering my very limited wardrobe, and marched up the red velvet stairs into the theatre. It was a little worn, but nice! To my surprise, there were only seven music stands and two chairs onstage. Uh-oh- the red flags were going off for me. Two chairs? Only seven stands? When 8:00pm rolled around the entire "orchestra" came out of a door in the middle of the stage. Three violins, three violas, 1 bass, 2 cello, percussion. The conductor played violin as well, and with the exception of the cellist, everyone stood through the entire thing. I really had to adjust my expectations on this one! I thought it would be at least a good chamber group of 40 or so. Though this orchestra was small they did a very nice job and Mr. Large and I very much enjoyed it. Including the two opera singers who spiced things up with a number from the Magic Flute and two ballet dancers who did their best to keep it all together on the old, splintered floor. We walked back to our hotel very happy. We were in Prague, it was beautiful, and we had attended an orchestra concert!
Check out the hot dog stand in the photo section. They sausage vendors hollow out the middle of a roll (there's a machine for that) and then stick a big sausage in the middle. It's wildly popular, and makes for neat eating. Sausage all day, every day. It's what's happening in this part of the world! And the supermarket Billa? They are all over Europe as well. Such a popular name! Just missing one "i".
Comments