Day 09–Friday, May 29
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Prague:: Tour of Prague with Marcela Zackova/free afternoon/cultural
dinner (as a group)/hotel in Prague
We started this morning,
greeted by Hans and Marcela, our new tour guide. I was having a difficult time
making out much of what she said due to being soft spoken and having a thick
Czech accent, but it was obvious she’s an expert on Prague.
Prague is crowded. I’m reminded of
my visit to New York city. There were moments were the crowds were shoulder to
shoulder and went on as far as the eye can see. Being driven to the top of the
hill, and left off where the castle and cathedral are, we began winding down the
hill through the buildings and then streets. It took around 3 hours.
Many references to St. Wenceslas and the Habsbergs through
this tour as well as the last. We were given SO much information. And were
separated so often by big crowds, and noise, I found it difficult to follow her
talk but knew to follow the melon colored scarf on a pointer stick!
This has been the hardest day for me so far. I’m a bit
over-tired. I think there were lots of naps this afternoon. We have about five
hours on our own this afternoon and I was hearing many say they were looking
forward to getting alone or to being somewhere quieter.
Some trivia from the tour: Prague
University was founded in 1348, Charles bridge is the oldest bridge in the
country, there are five formerly independent cities that combined to create
Prague. They don’t mess around with naming—it is, what it is. There’s New Town,
Old Town, Small Town and the Jewish Quarter, I dare you to guess what their
distinguishing characteristics are.
While touring we had our first peak
at Strahov Abbey through the skyline and trees. She told us about the two
libraries and around 140,000 volumes. They call the group there Premonstrators
here. From the twelfth century and originally made of wood, it’s been rebuilt
many times. We’ll have more on Strahov in a few days. I can’t wait to see this.
The Cathedral was loud and crowded, it was hard to hear the
tour guide but I did catch a snippet of the story around the rose window there.
It is a telling of the creation story, but it has eight sections.
The royal jewels are in the
cathedral locked away, Marcela told us that there are seven keys to enter the
area and all must be present to get inside.
We saw many more old tower, old
bridges, blackened limestone, little shops along the bridge and statues along
the bridge—even one of St. Norbert. The 30 statutes–half limestone, half
replicas, a few bronze but all Saints–and finished with seeing the clock
chimes…I have a ton of pictures.
Later today we will go to a
“cultural dinner.” Fr. Sal told me I should expect to get many more photos
tonight.
It is getting harder and harder to keep the days and events
straight in my mind. Even through my foggy confusion it has been amazing. I
love learning about these cultures and history of the Norbertines, and I’m
eternally grateful.
I’ll post about tonight’s
festivities, tomorrow. I’m sure it will be memorable.
As far as tomorrow goes:
it is our last day in Prague. A day trip to Doksany by way of a 40 minute
drive. We have another tour and lunch and will stay here for the evening again.
Day 09–Friday, May 29 (Cultural Dinner)
I left off with “I’ll post about
tonight’s festivities, tomorrow. I’m sure it will be memorable.”It was.
We ventured out on the bus and off
to the cultural dinner. I’ve never been a part of anything quite like it. They
make sure you have enough to drink. We started with a shot of herbal
liquor–their specialty. And then begin filling the wine glasses with these odd
contraptions, a picture at the top and long rod/straw out the bottom where the
wine flows out of. A guy continually walks around filling glasses.
We had something like potato salad
but warm, and then skewers of different meat and veggies in a second course.
The music began almost right away but the show did not begin until somewhere
around the second course.
This show: part talent show, part
America’s Got Talent, part variety show was fast paced and had audience
participation. Nancy, Eric, Fr. Jay, Sam, Dave and Sally all were asked to join
in the fun at one point or another. The pictures are priceless. It was
hysterical.
We ended the night with a crepe and
ice cream, a champagne of sorts and then the short walk to the bus which I’m
still not sure how Hans parked in where he parked. That guy is amazing.
