Prague...In 24 Hours
There we were, two days of no work for Husband Jared, credit with FlixBus in our pocket, a few hotel points ready to be cashed in and an itch to get out of the city. After a bit of scheduling recon we were booked for a four hour bus ride to Prague, Czech Republic for a fast and furious twenty four hours. I so love these kind of trips. We didn't have an agenda. No tickets to museums or tourist sights. Just our own two feet, a map and the motivation to take it all in.
I must confess to a heavy dose of hesitation when we arrived at the bus station. The last time I rode a bus was a greyhound to Battlecreek, MI in college, from Union Station in Chicago land. Ahem, it was ions ago. My heart raced when Husband Jared confirmed my fear. The only seats available were on the second level. Yep. It was a double decker bus and we were going for the top. All sorts of butterflies and what if scenarios started to play out in my head. Meanwhile, Thing 4 comfortably positioned himself to an incline, headphones in ears and pillow resting on the window. He was good to go. Me, not so much. Thankfully there was coffee from our early morning run to the bakery and a cinnamon-nut roll to boot. My nerves subsided as the bus lurched into gear and before long I was oohing and nudging Husband Jared's arm because sunflower fields and country side and quaint little villages were right outside our second story window view. Just maybe the second level was the way to ride. All was right in my little world. Four hours of uninterrupted reading ahead of me, how glorious!
A speedy four hours later we arrived at the station in Prague. It didn't seem as though much had changed since Husband Jared and I were there seven years ago. We collected our overnight bag and made haste to the hotel, only about 800 meters from the station. And from there it was on to walk the city streets and find lunch! Only a small road block appeared when we approached the check in desk we were informed that our accommodations were made for only one person, not three. Ahem. Since a wait seemed inevitable we were kindly allowed early access to the lounge, a splurge so beloved by all four of our Things. Our room was prepared and while waiting we scoped out our lunch time restaurant, filled our bellies with snacks and a Pilsner Urquell. Thank you very much Hilton Honors.
The three Hansons present took to the city with gusto. A traditional Czech beer hall was found and we planted ourselves there while Husband Jared enjoyed the recommendation from our waitress: a pork knee burger. Complete with bacon. Because one source of swine is clearly not enough. Or at least not for enthusiasts. Thing 4 and I ordered lighter fare and the potato pancakes did not disappoint, but one taste of that burger and I knew I should have ordered one too! Yes, it was that good. Now to walk and stretch our legs. We wandered all over the cobblestone streets. First stop, the Astronomical clock in city center. Unfortunately the clock is undergoing renovations so although we were able to hear it we couldn't witness the spectacle on the hour. More walking. Across St. Charles Bridge, pushing through the masses and pausing every so often to take in the vendors that line the walls. There were snake charmers, jewelry artists, painters, caricatures being drawn, steel drums, hand carved flutes being played and more tourists than we could count. I think Thing 4 and I heard at least ten different languages as we crossed the bridge. Once on the other side we meandered up to to the castle and the most amazing view. First though we made a stop to sample the local fare, tdelnik. Basically the Czech version of fried dough. The method is unique in that the dough is wrapped around an iron rod and the cooked to perfection, forming a cup if you desire fillings or if you're like us, just cinnamon sugar. There were crazy concoctions. Everything from fruity fillings to Nutella and ice cream. That seemed to be a popular choice.
Different from the last time we had visited was the Starbucks perched at the end of the incline, boasting a perfectly placed Starbucks sign so as to blend right in with all your spectacular photos of the view. Interesting. Also, lines. Loads of lines and a bag check before entering the castle gates. Not different were the two guards effortlessly standing still and adhering to their duty so stoically. Impressive. Especially given the number of people stopping and posing for photo ops in their space. We wandered around the royal grounds for a while and then took the stairs down to began our trek back to the hotel. Thing 4 had a run scheduled and my feet were ready for a reprieve. The three of us cleaned up, relaxed, well two of us did, and then off to dinner at a new Asian restaurant. I don't even remember the name but what I do remember is that we ate good that night. House made dumplings, two different varieties, duck for two, two ways, pork belly and a dessert that Thing 4 took on by himself. I do know there was coconut semi freddo and these pillow, divinity like cookies that complimented the sweet, fruity sauce, along with caramelized bananas. Nothing I could have dreamed up but it spoke to his taste buds for certain. The place was known for their Peking duck and the display of such is what caught our attention and drew us in. Per the usual my retelling of our day highlights the food choices and walking. Seems to be the quid pro quo for traveling with our family. When we collapsed in bed with full bellies our mile count for the day was close to nine and I do believe we hit almost 20,000 steps. Well done grasshopper. And that was only the first day.
Our Sunday started slow and with coffee. We all slept in thanks to a dark and quiet hotel room. In Vienna our apartment is near a construction site and every morning at promptly 7am the noise begins. Sometimes as early as 5am I can hear the delivery truck. That, accompanied with the sunrise being freakishly early here and most mornings I am wide awake by 6am. Moving on. It should go without saying that our teenager slept in considerably later than Husband Jared and I. So, needless to say we went to breakfast without him. There we sat, coffee in hand, English paper on the table and an array of tourists for our people watching pleasure. The breakfast buffet at an American hotel in Europe is filled with the most interesting people. Anyhow, after multiple cups of coffee and breakfast items we planned our day around our bus departure, which was promptly at 15:15. Therefore we had ample time to stroll around the city and take in what we hadn't the day before. On to Wencenslas Square. What a sight, truly historical throughout the history of the Czech Republic and beyond. From revolutionary battles to the fall of Communism, this unusual city square has been host to it all. We walked up and down, stood near the imposing St.Wenceslas statue and then we were distracted by Paul, the bakery. Yes, I'll admit it here. Pastries and coffee started beckoning. Thing 3 had talked about this bakery to great length and I had never been so off we went. Chocolate-almond croissant and espresso please and thank you.
St. Wencenslas.
The view from the top of the "square".
Wencenslas Square.
More walking followed. This time taking us back to the Jewish quarter. We had originally walked through on the Shabbat and so we decided to return and experience the community alive and at it's fullest. Then off to a new bridge, more time on the water, a little shopping, a pit stop to the window of a high-end car dealership. Where we drooled a bit and imagined ourselves being chauffeured around cities. When we woke up from that dream we set off to find lunch. Lo and behold, Husband Jared remembered a cafe we had eaten at on our trip years ago. I recalled sitting for hours, playing cards, eating cabbage pancakes and talking until it was time for the next meal. Thing 4 did not seem quite as taken with the place as we were. We ate, talked with him about all that we had seen and then made our way to collect our bags, track down ice-cream and head to the bus station. In a little alleyway, hidden behind a hotel and restaurant was a breathtaking bakery. Exquisite pastry creations lined the cases, the kitchen had floor to ceiling glass walls, allowing onlookers to share in the experience and then there was ice-cream. Creamy, rich and delicious! Our last Czech treat for the trip. Off to the bus station where Thing 4 took his seat, Husband Jared and I took ours and we were on the road before we knew it. I spent the next few hours finishing my book and when I looked up we were just outside Vienna.
Twenty four hours abroad had come to a close. I'm so thankful for these mini adventures with my people. Like I've said before, traveling is good for the soul. And indeed this get away was just that.
Pork knee burger, first bite!
Spires everywhere.
For funsies!
Yes please!
A peek across the river.
The Danube.
Painted buildings, windy cobblestone streets and impressive architecture = dreamy.
Different from the last time we had visited was the Starbucks perched at the end of the incline, boasting a perfectly placed Starbucks sign so as to blend right in with all your spectacular photos of the view. Interesting. Also, lines. Loads of lines and a bag check before entering the castle gates. Not different were the two guards effortlessly standing still and adhering to their duty so stoically. Impressive. Especially given the number of people stopping and posing for photo ops in their space. We wandered around the royal grounds for a while and then took the stairs down to began our trek back to the hotel. Thing 4 had a run scheduled and my feet were ready for a reprieve. The three of us cleaned up, relaxed, well two of us did, and then off to dinner at a new Asian restaurant. I don't even remember the name but what I do remember is that we ate good that night. House made dumplings, two different varieties, duck for two, two ways, pork belly and a dessert that Thing 4 took on by himself. I do know there was coconut semi freddo and these pillow, divinity like cookies that complimented the sweet, fruity sauce, along with caramelized bananas. Nothing I could have dreamed up but it spoke to his taste buds for certain. The place was known for their Peking duck and the display of such is what caught our attention and drew us in. Per the usual my retelling of our day highlights the food choices and walking. Seems to be the quid pro quo for traveling with our family. When we collapsed in bed with full bellies our mile count for the day was close to nine and I do believe we hit almost 20,000 steps. Well done grasshopper. And that was only the first day.
The after math.
Baby duck?
Dessert.
St. Wencenslas.
The view from the top of the "square".
Wencenslas Square.
More walking followed. This time taking us back to the Jewish quarter. We had originally walked through on the Shabbat and so we decided to return and experience the community alive and at it's fullest. Then off to a new bridge, more time on the water, a little shopping, a pit stop to the window of a high-end car dealership. Where we drooled a bit and imagined ourselves being chauffeured around cities. When we woke up from that dream we set off to find lunch. Lo and behold, Husband Jared remembered a cafe we had eaten at on our trip years ago. I recalled sitting for hours, playing cards, eating cabbage pancakes and talking until it was time for the next meal. Thing 4 did not seem quite as taken with the place as we were. We ate, talked with him about all that we had seen and then made our way to collect our bags, track down ice-cream and head to the bus station. In a little alleyway, hidden behind a hotel and restaurant was a breathtaking bakery. Exquisite pastry creations lined the cases, the kitchen had floor to ceiling glass walls, allowing onlookers to share in the experience and then there was ice-cream. Creamy, rich and delicious! Our last Czech treat for the trip. Off to the bus station where Thing 4 took his seat, Husband Jared and I took ours and we were on the road before we knew it. I spent the next few hours finishing my book and when I looked up we were just outside Vienna.
Roasting pork knee. Husband Jared took this picture because he said just by looking at it he would be able to remember the delectable smell. And there you have it people, a commitment like no other to PORK.
Taking in the Jewish quarter.
An inside view to the cemetery.
Twenty four hours abroad had come to a close. I'm so thankful for these mini adventures with my people. Like I've said before, traveling is good for the soul. And indeed this get away was just that.
Comments
Post a Comment