It turns out that daylight saving starts today in Prague. We had planned to go and watch the Astronimical Clock at 9.00 this morning, but it suddenly became 8.50 in our lives instead of what we thought was 7.50, so our plans will change a bit now.
We managed to get our act together and headed down to the Old Town Square for a coffee and to see the clock do its 10.00 thing which was great.
Apparently, after the clock was made, the rulers of the time had the creator blinded so that he wouldn't be able to make another one. Harsh we thought.
The more we learn about Prague, the more we learn about how brutal life was back in the day.
There are lots of reports of scholars being thrown off the Charles Bridge for their 'heretic' views, which would be commonly accepted nowadays. Others just got thrown out of windows, which helps to explain why every building is a few floors high!!
It was just beautiful walking through the streets all rugged up as it was only a few degrees and taking photos and just admiring everything about this amazing city.
We were heading towards the Petrin lookout tower, which stands on a hill overlooking Prague.
Back in about the 1890's, a large group of Czechs went to Paris and were so amazed by the Eiffel Tower that they wanted something similar back in Prague. Hence, the Petrin tower, which is more or less a smaller replica of what they saw in Paris.
This is the hill where the tower is.
The view from the rail car that took us up the mountain.
This tower mightn't go down in history as one of the tallest, but from someone who gets scared standing on a bath mat, it was high enough for me! We went up in a lift which was fine, but coming down we decided to take the stairs. I was leading the way, and was going slowly (naturally, as it is hard to maintain terror and descend simultaneously!) and at some stage I got held up by a lady in front of me who was going even slower, due to suffering greater terror than me. Bingo!!
Now I couldn't be hassled by the backlog behind me, because of course it was the lady in front of me holding us all up wasn't it??
When we got to the bottom, Jen was about to paste me for going so slow and holding everyone up, but I just said "There was a lady in front of me holding us all up", and all was well in the world again.
Or at least in Prague!
The Petrin lookout.
The beautiful city of Prague, from the Petrin Tower.
The locals love to chug a few ales as early as they can, this was no different at 11.00.
We even saw blokes walking across a bridge yesterday at 9.00 a.m. and into the cans already.
Wherever we go there are steps going up...
And more going down.
After such a vigorous walk to and from the tower, we were both fairly tired and hungry, so I coerced Jen into detouring via the Old Town Square, as I had my heart set on trying out one of the sausages I had seen being cooked in one of the many stalls in the market.
There was so much food to choose from I just didn't know where to start, so I just went up to the first one I saw, pointed to the picture of what I wanted ( I've given up on trying to ask as I'd probably end up asking some 70 year old cook out on a hot date!!) paid up and walked away insanely contented.
This sausage did not disappoint, it was unbelievably beautiful, and Jen must have been sick of watching and listening to my commentary as I devoured it, as she could not eat them as they were not gluten free. As for how healthy they are...who knows.
I'm going back for another tomorrow.
While walking through the narrow streets we were accosted by a bloke who was sewing designs into aprons. Hoping to make a sale, he beckoned us in and asked us if we'd like to buy something. Upon hearing our accents, he said " Oh, you're English", to which Jen replied "No, Australian".
As quick as a flash he replies with "Oh I was close, just a 30 hour plane flight the difference"
He then asked Jen her name and said he would give her a freebie, and quickly whipped up this little number on his sewing machine on a piece of card.
"Thanks", and off we went. No sale, but a nice memento!!
After a fairly busy day, and because it was starting to rain we decided to have an early night in and cook at home. Our digs are so comfortable, and I have found a tv station that plays non stop music clips ( really good ones too!), so I was happy to cok tea and have a beer, and listen to the music at the same time...Bliss!
As you can see, not only do they make the best beer in the Czech Republic, they also reserve the best names for the best beers.
Our last day in Prague tomorrow, hoping to explore the Jewish sector. Snow expected here on Thursday, but also in our next port of call. We are actually looking forward to it.
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