day 7- goodbye dinner at Prague Castle

 On Saturday night we took this historic trolley complete with an accordian player up the hill to Prague Castle.

 We were greeted by these historic clowns guys playing traditional music. They also put on a show during dinner, although we couldn't see very well for that.

 Since 1360! Crazy.

 Notice his shoes?

 Inside the castle/restaurant we were met with these interesting relics... 

Our long table. I think Steve's checking out the cool ceiling... pic to come.

Pretty place settings with the menu rolled up on top. I love that there are fifty glasses to each person.

 In between dinner courses they had fun activities to do, like weave things out of branches. This nice fellow actually made a bell while I held the branches. It even made it home although I'm not sure where it is now...

 And we rolled our own candles out of wax. My boys have been begging to burn them. Maybe when it's warm outside. They also had flavorless cookies to decorate...

 The scrumptious food was served family style. And even though some of the stuff looked mysterious, I tried everything. The appetizers were the most mysterious, but by the time I got back from my activities, my tablemates had gone through the plate and it was no longer photograph-able. But my favorite was the couscous and those little patties (old bohemian potato pancakes) that were super garlicky. I heard people complaining about how the food wasn't good.

 Fruit strudel for desseert, but by then I was so full and I don't remember it being worth the calories.

 By the end the candles had burned low and there was wax everywhere. Kind of nice that they never have to clean it? It gave the castle a perfect look though.

 After everyone filed out into the freezing night air, we were surprised with one last performance: fire eating. And we all felt bad for that girl o'flame because she took off her coat and it was so cold! And that metal bra doesn't look very warm.

 It was a great day and we were sad to say goodbye to everyone. Most were flying back to Salt Lake early the next morning. But our journey continued. Poland is next.

day 7- roaming in Prague

On our last day in Prague we decided to hit all the places we had been wanting to get souvenirs and such. And we shopped like crazy. Let's not forget there were three H&M's within walking distance, along with a Diesel store (Adam's fav jeans) and some of the best shopping I've ever seen. 

This sweet bread called trdelnik (try saying that three times fast) was sold out of shops on the street. We of course had to get one every time we came upon them. Warm and delicious. 

And sometimes dusted with powdered sugar.

I stopped to look in this little window and it turns out it was just a private alleyway- so fun!

It's so fun to travel with Adam. He hears about all these weird things and this is one of them. It's by a famous artist, David Cerny (who also painted a army tank bright pink in the middle of the town square after the fall of communism.) This is in the middle of a mall. I know. I guess if you have all these cool old sculptures, you'll put them wherever there is room?

We came upon a farmer's market... the booths were beautiful. I loved looking at everything, but we used up the last of our Czech money to buy Czech chocolate at the request of my brother Eric, who knows his chocolate.

 

  At night we had our closing dinner, but it deserves its own little post, so next time.

day 6- U.S. embassy in Prague

I thought I'd keep going with my Europe posts, since I stopped on day 5 because of the craziness of the holidays... for a recap of the first five days, check here: one, two, three, four, five

 Our hotel in Prague was AMAZING. And their breakfast buffet didn't disappoint. This is what I ate EVERY morning. And sometimes I went back for seconds. I can't believe I didn't gain 500 pounds. I love an open-faced sandwich- it's SO my mom, so Finnish, so European I guess. I tried to talk Adam and his parents into eating one but to no avail. The yogurt and granola were homemade and who doesn't love dried plums (aka prunes?) Don't forget the freshly squeezed orange/grapefruit juice. Yum.

After breakfast we walked up to the U.S. Embassy where our friend Honza worked. The sun was finally out and it made Prague look so different and even more beautiful!  

It was also very busy since it was Friday and the weekend travelers were starting to pour in. Not to mention a soccer match with Scotland that weekend. I've never seen so many guys in kilts. And yes- I have to admit we walked right by one in the dark streets as he was peeing on the corner. Drunk and loud and obnoxious as can be.

Love the color of the buildings against the blue sky!

 We thought we'd get a tour of the inside or something, but after going through the metal detectors, leaving our passports and Honza meeting us, we went straight through to the back gardens. Oh. My. Goodness. This was the best view we saw of Prague. And the gardens were amazing! They have a full-time gardner there. I wouldn't mind applying for that job. I wouldn't have to know Czech for that right? We couldn't take our cameras in, but Honza's boss was out there showing a new American recruit around so he took these  and emailed them to us. (The castle in the background is where we had our closing dinner.) I wish we had some pics of the garden. Just like out of a storybook.

As part of Honza's job, he gets to help host any American dignitaries that come into town... and other things that have slipped my mind at the moment. His English is so good- it's amazing. And he knows a lot about American politics from working there. 

 After the tour we went to the best Thai food I've ever eaten. Yum! It was really cool visiting with Honza. He's as cool as they come.

 Honza suggested going to this monument in a nearby park. It was so sad- a memorial to those affected by communism. It shows what happens to man as communism takes control of their lives. Weird to think that Czech Republic was under communistic rule until 1989.

              

We decided to stop by the Prague Museum of Music, where they had really old instruments. It was pretty fascinating. They were also having a Beatles exhibit on the main floor.

 It was kind of low budget, Ringo looks oriental and John looks like he's been fake baking, but still fun. 

 Karen and Steve

I just love the cut out concert people- it reminds me of something my niece Elli would do...

 We laughed so hard at this painting! "Beatles Retired" is the title. We still laugh about it. Can you guess who is who? Adam just can't believe George turned Arabian in his old age and Paul gained 100 lbs and looks similar to Mrs. Doubtfire...

crazy cool instruments (glass harmonica above)

 yellow submarine

Adam with his super cool parents.

above: modern meets old world buildings

We decided to walk home while Steve and Karen went a different way... We walked along the river. It was so beautiful. Why is water so pretty? 

I wish we would have paddle boated...

Little shops selling open-faces by the bucket load.  

Clint, Alicia, Adam, Sini, Tisha and Drew

 That night we went to Italian food with the sales reps from Midwest. The crazy thing was that both Alicia's dad and Drew's dad went on their missions to Finland! Weird right? They went after my mom moved away, so she didn't know them. Also funny that in real life we all live within ten minutes of eachother. 

Of course after we got back to the hotel, we slipped out to the KFC to use their wifi and check in with the babysitter. I loved the quiet streets of Prague at night with the buildings all lit up.