The World Cup in Russia this year has personally given me exceptional service. In the current summer, plane tickets to Moscow in the cost of economy class as a charter for private jets. "And not much and I want to" - I thought and found an alternative route to my original Novosibirsk. Via Prague.
And this is the most correct decision for me since long. The last time this happened to me the day I agreed to marry my incredible Gonzales.
So, we flew to Prague, where I have never been, little that I heard and did not communicate with anyone who lived there.
Today, I'll just describe our little journey and show some photos taken on the phone.
It started with the fact that our flight from Valencia was held for an hour and a half. The airport of Valencia is very small and provincial. By the time we left we had closed all the bars and shops in the building, and the technical aunts had the namyvali floor in the toilet, suspicious of us, and quietly cursed that we were stepping on them on the floor.
Finally, our board arrived. 2 hours and 40 minutes in three empty seats are offset waiting, thanks to pilots and flight attendants because they do not talk much during flight.
Roughly so we ran at 3am for luggage and taxis, which we (by surprise) waited. I must say that taxis in Prague are new and clean, and the drivers are not only very polite and courteous, but also practically with bonds. And they are also fluent in English and Russian. To me it's harder for me to make sentences in Russian than to them ...
The journey from the airport to the center of Prague takes 20 minutes and costs 25 euros, which is tolerable, again compared to prices in Alicante province.
I never considered Prague as a place I really wanted to visit. Yes, a beautiful city, where there are lots of beer and old walks. The homeland of Skoda, Kafka, and the mermaid cartoon.
It turns out the warm memories of children from Czech cartoons still live not only in my head, but also in all the owners of souvenir shops. Like a number of rats, frogs and rats - the heroes of this kids blockbuster in every corner I would not expect to see. In my family, nobody supported me in the excitement of moles, then I realized how many people in the near circle can have different cultural burdens. How different we must see the world.
My philosophical fabrication brings me to the community of Kafka lovers, who are also in the center of Prague on Siroka Street 14.
I read that for now the community has 1000 fans of the author's work, among them the Nobel Prize winner Gunter Grass.
Inside everything looks like a small old library with vaulted ceilings and several bookshelves. But here they also sell gifts, some of which are already paid in my pocket.
In general, Prague is like the same chocolate candy box talked about by Mother Forrest Gump. Here you can never guess what awaits you around the corner: almost at every step, Pauline and I do "ooooo, look!" The Gothic Tower, a blackened stone by time, paving bridges combined here with bright signs, an elaborate name, a tantalizing odor and loud music sound from street musicians.
For the first time the sun rose when we went to Wenceslas Square. In fact, it is a wide avenue that runs from the National Museum of Prague. It is decorated with statue of St. Wenceslas - patron of the Czech Republic, which is respected by Catholics and Orthodox.
Previously, this market square is known for horse sales. Then it serves as a place for meetings and folk celebrations, and then he goes to fascist tanks. A small photo exhibition was held in the square, where people gathered about different milestones in the history of Prague.
Next we moved to Old Town Square and Charles Bridge. I must say that despite Prague and the state capital as a whole, it can be easily traveled by foot for those who love and lovers of hiking. All our trips are 15 km and about 5 hours. Of course, the city has a very advanced transport network, it is possible to use the tourist bus, tram or even horse-drawn carriage. But we prefer a slow and unhurried look.
And this is a monument to Jan Hus, which is in the center of the Old Town Square opposite the Tyn Church. I remember from a school history program named - human legend, reformist hero Czech. He not only advocates justice and honesty in politics and life, but also contributes to the creation of the medieval Czech language and the codification of Czech orthography. Jan Hus is a good and wise man, but his views on life are incompatible with the opinion of the Catholic Church. In 1414, he was called to deceive by King Sigismund at Constantine's Cathedral, and was later accused of heresy. He was burned on July 6, 1415, and with him, his comrade, Jerome, from Prague.
In the monument in the circle written sentence: "Everyone wants love and truth" and "We believe that the government will return to you, the Czech people." The monument was opened in honor of the 500th anniversary of the death of Jan Hus, in 1915. It must be said that the Reformist Catholic Church and the Enlightener have not been rehabilitated.
We ended up walking to the famous Charles Bridge across the Vltava River.
This bridge connects two parts of Prague Mala Strana and the Old City. The history of its development back to the Middle Ages. Now all 500 meters from the bridge serves as a trading pavilion for many street vendors and craftsmen. Ornaments, paintings, souvenirs - all these can be found here.
The bridge is adorned with baroque statues, which were installed here in the period 1683-1714, there are about 30. Basically this is a copy of the proper statues by the famous Czech lord, who was originally in the national museum.
This one, in my opinion, is the most interesting. This is a work of the statue of Brokof, depicting a Turk with a large crooked Janissary, keeping the captured Christians. The details are striking: the threatening view of the dog, growling the prisoners, they are distorted from the horrors and pain in the face and, at the same time, the dull Turkish mines. Very amazing!
Of course, in one post it is difficult to throw the place scale, especially when there are historical artifacts in each step. Yes, and for a few days do not try and not feel.
Definitely worth coming back, more and more reasons to eat!.