24 June ’04, Thursday. Jet lag has done it’s job….after we knocked on the door we were met by someone who looked a little like Ric. We weren’t sure until he finally opened up his one eye and told us “we must of slept through the alarm…”. Well we could understood (even tho we were on time) because we walked their lags off yesterday. Anyway, Louise and I went down and had coffee while they gathered themselves together and soon we were underway. We wanted to get a private tour of Prague’s Old Square,
The Jewish Quarters,
St. Charles Bridge, and any other sites that we could get in the 3 hours tour. In the time leading up to our “Tour” we went to Prague’s Astronomical Clock
and then we climbed all the stairs to the top of the clock tower. Another great photo opportunity.
We then walked into the Wenceslas Square for a bite of lunch before the 2pm tour. Of course the kids saw Mickey D’s so that was that. I had to have my brot, so I found a street vendor real close, found a perch to sit on across the street and had a picnic. Now while eating my lunch I saw something that I had never seen before. At the curb across the street was a 4’ square glass case that housed a couple of dressed up manikins for one of the stores close by. Then a car pulls up and stops right in front of them and all of a sudden a large area starts to lift right out of the ground. It turns out to be a lift that takes cars and moves them from the street to the level below ground for parking.
It was absolutely a great idea…. Time for the tour and we met our guide Myllena. She was good….really good. She has lived in Prague since the early 60’s and loved her job. We learned a lot and had a good time doing it. She not only answered all the questions that the adults asked but she always had an answer for the kids questions as well. I remember (Lil) Louise asked what was the significance of all the marionettes? There are many shops that sell the marionettes in Prague and she thought there might be a reason for it. Well, if you want the answer you will have to ask Louise…
I found the whole tour very informative but in particular, the Jewish Quarters and the Astronomical Clock Tower and all it’s meanings. About 5 we ended the day with an ice cream cone and headed back to camp. Well almost…I dropped off at the Internet Café for a couple of hours work before going on to meet Louise at the van. Just as I arrived at the van the dark clouds above opened up and gave us one of the heaviest rain, thunder, and lightning storms we have been seen in a long time. Boy did “Bumble Bee” and the tent get wet. Even inside the tent…. Well, we dry…. Tomorrow…more Prague