Category: Czech Republic

Prague Finale: John Lennon Wall and Charles Bridge

On By MeganIn Czech Republic, Sightseeing, Street ArtLeave a comment

December 8, 1980: Beatles rocker John Lennon was shot to death in the entrance of his New York apartment building.

A pacifist hero in the eyes of many young Czechs during a time of political revolution, Lennon was soon memorialized in Prague. His image was painted on a wall in a secluded square near the Charles Bridge, and political graffiti and Beatles lyrics were soon added.

Despite the best whitewashing efforts of the police and the property owners, the Lennon Wall has been continuously evolving for the past three decades: layer upon layer of lyrics, wishes for peace and sketches of the man whose voice guided a generation.

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Prague II: Czech Food and Street Eats

On By MeganIn Czech Republic, Food5 Comments

Prague was my first stop in Europe after spending a few weeks in Israel eating mostly veggies, hummus and falafel.

When I got to Prague, I gorged myself on all the rich traditional cuisine. It’s hearty stuff that helps soak up all the cheap pivo (beer) you’ll be drinking!

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On my free walking tour of the city, I met a nice lady from upstate New York (hi Beth!) and we got lunch together. Beer battered deep fried mushrooms, a thick vegetable soup, and potato dumplings! The food was surprisingly flavorful for being so hearty, and the innocuous looking potato dumplings were my favorite part!

We also put back a few pints, as did everyone else at the place! Needless to say, Europe really doesn’t judge you for day drinking!

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The beer of choice in Prague is Pilsner Urquell. First brewed in 1842 in the Czech town of Pilsner, this especially hoppy beer is found all over the world, but I was lucky enough to have it in cask condition in Prague: unfiltered, unpasteurized, and naturally conditioned like it was made in the 19th century.

There’s something else that Prague does especially well…

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Prague: Bohemian Wonderland

On By MeganIn Czech Republic, Sightseeing, The rest of it2 Comments

Though Israel was a sunny paradise, I decided to break the cycle of my Tel Aviv lifestyle (beach all day, party all night) and head into Europe.

The cheapest ticket I could find using Skyscanner, my favorite airfare app, was Prague!

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Two of my favorite Prague buildings are located in Old Town Square: the astronomical clock tower and the Church of Our Lady before Tyn.

Both were built in the 1400s, and are impressive feats. The church is a classic example of gothic architecture and dominates the city skyline. The clock is the oldest functioning astronomical clock in the world. Who cares about the latest iPhone?

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The Prague Castle, Pražský hrad, is officially the world’s largest castle and dates back to the ninth century.

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This is a breathtakingly beautiful city. Twice the capital of Europe, the historical capital of Bohemia, and now the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is a city of two million people that feels like the place Belle would call home.

The architecture is an array of styles that span the history of time. Romanesque, baroque, gothic, art nouveau, cubism…it’s everything at once, but it works.

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