Day 16 - Day off tripping around Prague - 9 1/2 Weeks - Copenhagen to Lecce 2019

October 4, 2019

Day 16 - Day off tripping around Prague

Prague Ramblings

Very few words today. A day off the bikes, but that just means a lot of walking. We set off to explore a small part of Prague's Old Town.

The morning started off with just a few other people around and hence the ability to take some time to appreciate the moment. That sentiment was soon immolated by the onslaught of the Vikings (and to be fair, a lot of other tour groups too). This is not off season in Prague!

However, even the tourists (and we're fully aware we are part of that crowd) become part of the spectacle. There is no shortage of the full spectrum of human behavior in a place like this.

We did get some respite by taking in an exhibition of Andy Warhol (originally Warhola - his folks were from Czechia) and Alphons Mucha (art Nouveau at the turn of the 19th century). This exhibit was in a gallery right off the main square, yet we were virtually the only people in there. It was relaxing, and excellent.

I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

Song of the Day, Rock & Roll by The Velvet Underground.

At the Warhol exhibition, to no surprise the background music was a loop of classic Velvet Underground. This one's part of the pantheon of R&R! Here's Lou Reed circa 1984 with a live version.

Someone has just realized that they won't be at home for Halloween

everybody's getting ready for work - impromptu dressing room for street mimes

Old T Own Hall in the early(ish) morning

One of the Church's in the main square (I'm terrible with Church names)

All dressed up and ready ... to do absolutely nothing!

Some detail on the Astrological clock. It's not intuitive how it all works but it is certainly intricate

part of today's selfie project. I don't know who's more amused, me or the CIA guy

With all of the amazing yet very old architecture around, there is a huge amount of maintenance that needs to be done. Here's a small bit of it

... do you think he blew this one himself?

across the Old Town roof tops towards Prague Castle on the New Town side of the river

Nice balcony, shame about the guy who's creeping every one of your BBQ's out there

Arial shot of Church of Our Lady before Tyn .... that's a mouthful. Beautiful Gothic structure though

more Hawks fans, they have the Flyer fans outnumbered

It all started here. Andy's portrait of his mother. She was born in what is now Czechia.

along with the art, there were many 'family letters' from the Philly Warhols back to their relatives in Czechia

After over thirty years, I just found out that this is Kirsten's favorite Campbell's soup

and here's a whole grocery aisle of them

a bit of a mash up. There's Marilyn Monroe's reflected onto the electric chair pic ... Andy probably would have like it

And here's my own mash up of it ... including me!

... Warhol movie posters. Most were European (mainly German) films I believe

Over into the Alphons Murcha exhibit. Everything from art etchings to advertising copy.

... and a few classic period pieces thrown in

and if you want to know more about Murcha ... read it here

Enjoying a seat and a little film in the Sarah Bernhardt theatre

back to the streets ... one of the small but confidant Philly crowd in town

a healthy diet of beer and cigarettes does not seem to be slowing these ladies down

quite a few very artistic candy stores too

In addition to the Old Town Square, the Charles Bridge is the other main tourist attraction. This is the street leading to the bridge right around noon. It will have to wait

It is certainly a big world out there with room for all level of taste and creativity

Old busker playing sax and trying to sing. His sax playing was good. His singing sounded worse than he looks!

A few evening shots of what we saw during the day .... Astronomical Clock

St Nicholas Church ... just remembered the name!

Gov't Ministry buildings on the Old Square

View across the river to the Prague Castle

Coming to a catwalk near you.... the Prada Frankenstein edition... no joke!

Another excellent dinner at La Veranda. That’s it for us, back on the bikes tomorrow and heading west ... into the rain. It’s been a nice break here!

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Scott AndersonThe Velvet Underground for the Velvet Revolution?
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4 years ago

Lyle McLeodI was thinking of a classic Frank Zappa tune originally 'cause Vaclav Havel (among many other Czech's at the time) was a huge FZ fan. Havel even made him a special Ambassador to the west for Culture.
However, hearing the VE playing while looking at Warhol's stuff and learning more about his life, won them SOTD. Who knows, maybe Rock & Roll was composed at the Factory with Andy puttering away in the background?
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4 years ago