Music and Markets - - Following the Music

Trumpet from the Tower and a Glorious Chorus

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Prague, Czech Republic

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We're back on Old Town Square this morning, fitting in a don't - miss Prague event during our morning of shopping for Czech treasures. Yes, it's a must to join the crowd and watch the Astronomical clock strike the hour. The skeleton rings the bell, and the figures beside him nod and move as the disciples make the rounds above. The grand finale? A trumpeter plays a cheery tune from the top of the tower.






We've asked what are guests are interested in... they already have more crystal (a long- standing Czech craft) than they can use, and have already found some lovely garnet jewelry (another Czech treasure) and are interested in antique or vintage finds, so we stroll through one lovely square after another - this one with an intricately lacey well






and a beautifully frescoed shop. Notice that I only snapped the upper floors - the bottom floor is now a McDonalds!



Above us on one street is a man hanging by one arm. We've asked previous guides, but have never found out the WHY behind this quirky sculpture. Just for fun, I guess.




Bric a Brac's always an intriguing stop. The owner knows the story behind each one of his thousands of "finds" and Gary unearths a fascinating old carved wine canteen that has a tale to match.






We continue on, through colorful squares,












and across Charles Bridge, strolling to the tune of a dixieland band, then an organ grinder.









Lunch today brings a taste of France to our week



where the frites are as good as any we've had in France, and the special secret Café de Paris sauce is a creamy, herby Bernaise - fabulous with the rare, thinly sliced steak kept warm on a tableside burner.






After a few free hours, we walk to Saint Simon and Jude for an evening of Rachmaninoff Vespers thrillingly performed by the Slovak Philharmonic Choir, then float home, melodies still streaming through our minds, to a good night's sleep.

Labels: Bric a Brac, Cafe de Paris, Charles Bridge, Prague shopping

posted by Anne and Kirk @ 5:31 PM