Prague

A few weeks ago Karen and I were able to spend a wonderful weekend in Prague.  We have heard from so many people that this was a must-see city and it's proximity to Berlin was almost too easy, so for my birthday we took a four hour train across the border to the Czech Republic. (Luckily, my passport was returned the night before we left after spending a month getting passed around the governmental visa departments.)  On advice from some friends, we booked a charming room at a small B&B called House at the Big Boot.  This family run hotel is in a perfect location and our balcony looked up to the Castle and various embassies.  Despite the sporadic rain all weekend, Karen and I wandered the curving cobblestone streets of Old town, toured the vast Prague Castle and it's many churches, drank fine Czech Pilsners and ate Trdelniks at the Christmas markets.  I fell in love with this magical city and enjoyed exploring the different neighborhoods.  The architecture of the city is a mash of Medieval and Modern with Gothic spires next to Cubist offices abutting Art Deco apartments and Art Nouveau cafes.  The main areas are best experienced on foot, so we logged many miles hunting for quirky sculptures from artist, David Cezny and visiting the former studio of pop-up master, Vojtech Kubasta.  To cap things off, on our final night we witnessed a bizarre adaptation of Faust performed by a local long-standing black light theater group.  This trip will truly remain one of the most memorable birthday gifts I have ever received.   Thank you Karen.