Day 8 - Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, boat ride and Boom

Morning broke on our bus ride with Merrick across the river into Lesser Town. At Prague Castle we started in the second courtyard and moved into St. Vitus' Cathedral. It was finished in the early 1900's and is an example of gothic architecture. The architects put themselves into the design as statuary.

Walked inside and saw the stained glass and the tomb of St. Wenceslas., made completely of silver. Then we walked into the Old Royal Palace, with its large reception hall used for everything from dinners to jousting tournaments. We also saw the room where the defenestrations took place that started the thirty years war. Then we moved into the gallery with portraits of the Hapsburgs including Joseph and his mother Maria Teresa (mother of 16). Out via the horse stairway and into the courtyard again.

Next came the shopping area called the Golden Lane. Rumor is that alchemists lived here but in reality people worked with gold. Later artists saved the area from being torn down. Frank Kafka lived in the blue house at #22. We passed through the little houses and displays to the courtyard with the statue of a naked boy. The whole statue is black except for his privates which are gold from people rubbing it for luck. After came the changing of the guard and lunch at Restaurant Vikarka, open since 1360. Schnitzel and mashed potatoes, soup and beer for me. Yum! Goulash for everyone else.

It was about 85 degrees as we walked down through the shops to the Charles Bridge, stopping to take pictures at the Lennon wall and the site that recorded floods. We walked across the bridge and about 75% of us decided to go for a boat ride, complete with ice cream and beer. Our tour guide spoke in English and german about the sites along the river. It was nice but between the heat and the late night, I nearly fell asleep.

We shopped through Indian stores and local fare like manufacktura for more presents for the family. Drinks in the lobby and out to Lemon Leaf for dinner.

We had a wonderful Thai meal with about 12 of us while Anu and Sal has the fish pedicure. Bob gave a toast and we gave Judy and Tina their gifts. The evening wrapped up at Boom with gelato and back at the hotel to watch soccer with about 75% of the group.