Trip to Praha
DoctorIt
Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
Time for yours truly to do some rare photo posting. 
A couple weeks ago, I took 5 days off of policing that violent forum known as the flea market to pay a visit to my homeland. I was born there and emigrated (read: escaped) to the US when I was just 3, and before the fall of russian imposed communism in 1989. After the Velvet Revolution, I was able to go back and visit without fear of being kept there by the damn commies. Unfortunately, I only made it back twice before high school, college, and striking out on my own made making time and enough money for more visits almost impossible. My parents have managed several trips, but for me it was 12 years! I lost one grandfather before 1989 even rolled around, and another 3 years ago, so needless to say, the grannies basically made an ultimatum - come visit us soon, or else!
Off we went.
I won't tell you how nice the city, seems like most tourists do enough of that, and as an old resident (or at least raised by true prazany = prague'ers?), I'm kinda biased. Go see for yourself before the open doors of the EU turns the whole place into a souvenir shop (yuck)!
I'll give you a quick tour of the tourist hotspots - after 12 years, we had to give them a once over as well to see how they changed. Oh, and I have to admit, I don't know the english names for a lot of these places, so my exact translation may throw you off from what you read in guide books. Don't believe them, they're written by tourists for tourists anyway, I'll give you the real deal.
Vaclavak (Wenceslas Square or Way)
Long thoroughfare mostly closed to traffic. Up in the distance is the National Museum of History - cool stuff in there.
Staromestke Namesti or Staromak (Old Town Square)
If you visit Praha and don't go here, you're helpless. :lol3
Horrible photo, but have to include it, in Staromak square, there is a very famous clock tower with moving figurines. Its called Orloj and it wasn't running on this particular day.
The token Karluv Most (Charles Bridge) shot with Praszky Hrad (Praha Castle) in the background
Moving on through town... near the town hall or state house, or whatever you want to call it, we call it Nova Radnice
Nice knockers... :uhoh
:
A couple weeks ago, I took 5 days off of policing that violent forum known as the flea market to pay a visit to my homeland. I was born there and emigrated (read: escaped) to the US when I was just 3, and before the fall of russian imposed communism in 1989. After the Velvet Revolution, I was able to go back and visit without fear of being kept there by the damn commies. Unfortunately, I only made it back twice before high school, college, and striking out on my own made making time and enough money for more visits almost impossible. My parents have managed several trips, but for me it was 12 years! I lost one grandfather before 1989 even rolled around, and another 3 years ago, so needless to say, the grannies basically made an ultimatum - come visit us soon, or else!
Off we went.
I won't tell you how nice the city, seems like most tourists do enough of that, and as an old resident (or at least raised by true prazany = prague'ers?), I'm kinda biased. Go see for yourself before the open doors of the EU turns the whole place into a souvenir shop (yuck)!
I'll give you a quick tour of the tourist hotspots - after 12 years, we had to give them a once over as well to see how they changed. Oh, and I have to admit, I don't know the english names for a lot of these places, so my exact translation may throw you off from what you read in guide books. Don't believe them, they're written by tourists for tourists anyway, I'll give you the real deal.
Vaclavak (Wenceslas Square or Way)
Long thoroughfare mostly closed to traffic. Up in the distance is the National Museum of History - cool stuff in there.
Staromestke Namesti or Staromak (Old Town Square)
If you visit Praha and don't go here, you're helpless. :lol3
Horrible photo, but have to include it, in Staromak square, there is a very famous clock tower with moving figurines. Its called Orloj and it wasn't running on this particular day.
The token Karluv Most (Charles Bridge) shot with Praszky Hrad (Praha Castle) in the background
Moving on through town... near the town hall or state house, or whatever you want to call it, we call it Nova Radnice
Nice knockers... :uhoh
: Erik
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MomIt says "welcome to Prague Castle!"
and what kind of trip would it be if there were no pictures of the very serious gate gaurds with some lovely young ladies posing for a photo?
Shine up your red stilletto boots and let's go for a tour of the castle! I hate to stereotype, but why are most russian tourists so fancy, at least in Praha? I saw numerous russian "princesses" strolling and taking photos in very, very impractical footwear.
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The grand Vladislav Hall
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Some unbelievable stained glass. If only I could put a size reference up to this shot...
Hellooooooo ellooooo loooooo oooooo!!!
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Well, except for this embassy... guess who the Czech's really like? they get a whole hillside, some orchards, and a lookout mini-tower...
Look closer...
Yup, thats definitely the Stars and Stripes up there!
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Hope you enjoyed the mini-tour of my hometown!
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I was really digging the Rebel XT + EFS 17-85mm lens for walking around shooting. And to me, the 17mm was new, so I exploited that end of the lens.
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I also like the way you pointed out the difference in embassy locations. It's quite amazing to me to see how relations manifest themselves.
I think it's also interesting to see how permeated cellular technology is. Good contrast showing everyone on the phone in front of a medieval setting.
I'm also glad to hear that you had the opportunity to visit your land of origins. Not all of us get an chance like that.
Thanks for the tour and for sharing these images.
Erich