Day 24 - Rainy Day in Prague for shopping

Final Shopping Day

It's raining when we wake up and the hostel is quiet. The earplugs must have worked well because I was also able to sleep through the night. The noise from the streets, we discovered today, is due to a new club which opened in this same building around the corner (picture at bottom of post). It doesn't open its doors until 11pm which is the reason for the large crowd to gather starting around 10:30p and waiting for the opening.

We didn't crawl out of bed until late and went down to breakfast of coffee and my ITG oatmeal cookie around 9. By 9:45, a large LOUD German contingent filled the breakfast area and we couldn't think not to mention be able to talk across the table to each other. So we retreated to our room where the wifi is better anyway.

The rain stopped and we decided to venture forth because we wanted to be sure to go to the garnet factory, a couple other stores Andrea recommended, and the Ropemaker's Wife restaurant off the main drag where mostly locals eat.

The garnet store was a success! Onward to St. James' gothic Church where we couldn't take photos yesterday. The entry was locked but we were able to get a picture through the window.

Please feed my pig.

Street vendors make their living anyway they can.

Wanna hold a GREAT BIG SNAKE?!

 

Follow us to our performance.

This guy's makeup made him look like a statue. I complimented him after putting money in his jar and I even got a wink which is against the performance rules. Many people walked up to get their picture taken with him and jumped when he moved ever so slightly.

Security guards walking and on bikes and these two were playing with the little bell on his bike as they conversed.  The only difference between men and boys....(you know the rest).

We have seen a lot of redheads but ALL were the most ugly bottle red you have ever seen so I had to take a picture of this natural redhead in the minority.

There are sights on every corner and you just have to stroll to see them and the architecture.

Tyn (pronounced "teen") Church

 And for my car-loving relatives and friends, these vehicles are for hire to take you on a tour of the city.

Not this one! It's a delivery truck.

These guys would stop and draw a crowd by playing their instruments then hand out flyers for you to come hear Mozart's Don Giovanni opera.

The Story goes that Mozart visited Prague on numerous occasions and premiered his new opera here to resounding success. When he took it to Vienna, they panned it. His remark, "My Czechs...they understand me."

And our 2p lunch at the Ropemaker's Wife Restaurant. Seems the story goes that the ropemaker was out to sea for long periods of time and his wife was at home. She asked him to fund the opening of an inn so she could keep busy while he was away. He did so gladly and she opened a restaurant and inn where she served up more than food since her clientele were ONLY MEN. The Ropemaker found out about this and, upon his return and in a fit of jealousy, he strangled his wife with one of his ropes. Her ghost now wanders the pub and will find no rest until she heals all of the souls suffering for love. "Anyone who has a problem with his or her partner should touch the portrait of the rope-maker's wife in the pub. The magic works and you will soon see the result." Now, what that result is is still to be seen.

I ordered a typical Czech meal of pork, sauerkraut, potato pancake, and dumplings. Melodie had ordered chicken breast stuffed with bleu cheese and served with broccoli. She got the wrong meal and sent it back.

Wrong meal at the bottom of the picture and the right meal for Melodie just below. Mine is the plate at the top of the photo.

So, I finished mine while it was still warm and then we waited for hers to arrive. For the inconvenience, the server gave us a free apple strudel to share.

Sharing an apple strudel

Melodie's Irish coffee and my Coca Cola Light during the rainstorm inside the restaurant.

Enjoy the unusual and uninhibited sights on the way. His pals threw money at him in his cute orange dress and heels.

Then the wind began to pick up and they quickly withdrew the awnings and asked all of us to come inside until it passed. It was a quick rain shower and we were on our way again.  We're pretty good at getting around Prague and know our landmarks to aid our direction back to the hostel.

Look for the silver naked lady.

And here's the infamous music club around the corner that keeps us awake until 11:30p when the crowds are finally ushered in!

Our room is on the 3rd floor from the street and the 2nd window from the corner of the building!  Did I tell you that air conditioning is unheard of here in Poland and the Czech Republic?  You NEED to have your windows open to get cool air. Our first night was a choice between sleeping in a hot, quiet room or a cool, noisy room. We chose hot but no more.

Back after 7 hours of walking the town. Tomorrow we will rise early and get to the Charles Bridge before the crowds. Let's see how that works.