Prague - An Amazing City

Hi all,

I arrived in Prague Friday May 20, stayed till Sunday.

What an amazing city. I guess the principle reason it is so well preserved here, buildings dating back 100's of years is there was no bombing of this city during WWII. Thank heaven, so many beautiful sites.

I went to the usual principle sites during my stay, the main square was amazing. A large square with a cathedral, and lined with buildings all ancient architecture. Narrow streets and cobblestone where ever you turn. Its a great experience just wandering thru the old town, down the streets and finding a restaurant that suits your taste. Great food too.

The city is feed by a modern metro system, so its easy to get around. What is more fun to ride are the electric trams, similiar to our trolley system in San Diego. You really see the city this way.

On Sunday, found out that the international Prague Marathon is being held. This really bogged down the tram system, and closed a lot of streets. But it was fun to watch.
While eating lunch in a sidewalk cafe, watchin the marathon runners come in the final stretch, saw a female runner in a full playboy bunny suit running the race... boy she must have lost a big bet to somebody. Was hilarious, she got a lot of cheers.

Up above the old city is the Prague castle, with a commanding view of the city and a dominant cathedral in the center of it, it makes an amazing view. I will try to upload some pictures here when I get the right connections. Most internet cafes are not yet geared for this yet.

I went on a tour of the Jewish Quarter as well. The jewish quarter became a sort of ghetto for the Jewish people during the war years. In the Jewish cemetary since they were limited to one grave yard, literally thousands of people were buried in layers, the gravestones were on top of each other and leaning all directions. In a building near, 77,000 names were listed, those who had found their deaths in concentration camps in Prague at the hands of the Nazi regime. Very profound to see and contemplate.

Well I'm in Krakow Poland now. Got here on a night train from Prague Sunday night. This is an incredible city, its Prague without all the tourists. Finding it to be wonderful, will give you a report on it next time.

Yours in travel,
Bill