Here's to Prague!: My New Day Job

I think I am going to be a tour guide instead of a teacher!!

I went on a walking tour yesterday. The tour guide was this wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, funny girl named Kelsey Merriman. Haha...ok so there is this section in my Lonely Planet book called "walking tours" so yesterday, after school I decided to take one. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!! The book literally told you every step to take and explained the significance along the way. The tour took me through Vysehrad and Vltava beginning at a bunch of old battlements. I saw some beautiful Cubist architecture and had a great view of the city. However, my favorite part was walking along the Vltava River. It was surreal. As I made my way down the embankment I had to stop and take a deep breath. Touring around, it is very easy to walk quickly and check things off your sightseeing list and as I looked out on the river, surrounded by the enchanting architecture of this old city I had to stop and slow down, taking it all in moment by moment. I whispered a quick "Thank You", to God, to the city, and to the purity of heart, for this important reminder as I gazed around at the setting sun and the glassy water.

At the end of my tour I stopped at one of Prague's most famous cafe's, Cafe Slavia. Although more like a restaurant than a cafe, it is absolutely gorgeous! It is adorned in a art deco style and has big windows overlooking the river. I was excited to be there as it is a celebrated literay meeting place where Franz Kafka frequently hung out. Additionally, the first president after the revolution, Vaclav Havel, spent a lot of time there. Surprisingly, it was VERY reasonably priced and I had (what else) DELICIOUS guloush!

After my dinner, I met up with Martin and Jane and we went to see American Gangster (GREAT movie....I recommend it to everyone!). Wonderful night with wonderful friends!

The beginning of my tour

A mom and her adorable daughter feeding the ducks as the sun was setting.

Breathtaking

A picture I took especially for my roommate Kelly

The famous Slavia Cafe

Today didn't exactly go as planned. I didn't get to bed until like 3am (don't ask...right Kyle and Brooke haha) and slept through my alarm, rushed down to the bus station, but missed the only bus going to Cesky Krumlov today. I was super upset but then when I realized that I got to go back to bed, I felt a little bit better about it! After a nap I decided to go see the castle in the daylight and then went on another walking tour (brought you by...ME!) around Wenceslas Square.

Wenceslas Square

Yes, this is the "Good King Wenceslas" from the Christmas carol

A memorial to a University student named Jan Palach who, in 1969, set himself on fire on these steps to protest the Warsaw Pact invasion of Prague. He staggered down the steps in flames and collapsed on the pavement at the foot of the stairs. The next day, 200,000 people gathered here to honour him. He died in the hospital 3 days later. This marks the spot where he fell.