About a month ago I did a business trip to Prague and had 2 hours to actually leave the hotel and go for a walk. I had my brand spanking new Camera with me so I used it as my ‘pre-Egypt-figure-this-thing-out’ outing.

My impressions:

• It is a beautiful city – the architecture is spectacular and the cobblestone streets continue to catch my attention. But it lacks the depth of other cities I have been to. For example, a trip to Barcelona is overwhelming – museums, Gaudi, Picasso and on and on. This iron curtain nation is reemerging and lacks the same depth.

• It seemed to be overtaken by branding. Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, McDonalds, Nike. You name it, they were there .. everywhere, as evidenced by the below. 2 McDonalds within 150m. The centuries old statues must be distraught. And of course, the Hugo Boss store had a sign up ‘70% off’ but it was closed for the week I was there .. which was .. well .. just my luck.

• Something disturbing happened while I walked along the Vltava river. I came across a small park with a beautiful statue. I walked in and moved around the statue, admiring the figures. All of a sudden I noticed a group of people hiding in the bushes (it was 10 am) A closer look and one of them was pulling a rubber around arm. Sad. Cool statue though.

• I continue to be amazed by the details within European cities. Everywhere you turn, something unique.

A few random buildings of no particular importance – just the status quo. The Clam-Gallas Palace (circa 1714)

Prague Castle. I did not cross the river.

A photo of the Orloj astronomical clock. The crowd was gathered to watch the clock strike 12, I had no idea what was going on. Should of bought a guide.

A few pictures of the square and the river.

A minor side note, we had dinner in Svata Klara, a restaurant built in a natural cave:

The restaurant "Svatá Klára" (The Saint Klara), was originally a wine-cellar in one of Prague’s vineyards next to the baroque castle Troja. Within living memory wine has been grown here. Its grapes were brought by the emperor Charles IV, in the 14th century. Originally the name of the wine restaurant came from patroness of the nearby chapel. The restaurant was created from a cave situated 16 meters beyond the surface and after completion of the Troja castle, it was used as a storage of wines by the count Václav Vojtìch of Sternberk.

Fantastic food, very unique environment, although we were a party of 20 and our noise carried ….

Next time, I will explore this beautiful city a little deeper.