WW II in Prague

After my post last night, all three of us were somehow still full of energy and kept hanging out (things may have gotten a bit silly) until 3:30am! I think we are also still adjusting to the time. :) Therefore, once my head hit the pillow, I was out. Next thing I know, the curtains are being swung open, light suddenly floods the room, and Anya, in a way too chipper voice, says "It's 1:00! You should get up!"

I immediately shot up in surprise. What?!!

"Actually, it's 11:00," she added. 

Phew! 

However, I was still conflicted between feeling glad to have gotten sleep vs. sleeping half the day away! 

A few hours earlier, Anya had gotten up to explore the streets around us. She found a mini farmers market just a couple blocks away with good coffee, pastries, and several different vendors selling their wares. Once Whitney and I were ready to go, we followed our "scout" to her new find. I enjoyed a breakfast...well, at this point I suppose it was lunch...of yogurt with trailmix, a pastry, and some iced coffee (it is quite warm this week!) while people-watching a mix of locals and tourists. 

After brunch, we explored several new streets and eventually made our way to the Powder Gate (called thus because it was used to store gun powder). Whitney had read about a World War II tour that started from this location at 2:00. We talked to the tour guide to ask for details (time, locations, cost, etc...) then huddled to the side to discuss our decision. After a short debate, we decided to join. The tour guide asked that we fill up our water bottles from the sinks of the nearby restroom (cue Anya and I turning to Whitney with "I told you so" smirks...see yesterday's post) before leaving, since it was such a hot day. We navigated a maze inside the closest restaurant to fill up, then returned to join five other people on the tour: an older couple from New Zealand, an older gentleman from England, and a young couple from Scotland. 

Our tour guide was a short, red-headed Czech woman. With an evident passion and immense knowledge of this topic, she led us around the city telling us all about its WWII history while weaving in fascinating stories and fun facts. 

These can be found around the city. Each one indicates that this is the place where someone from the uprising against Germany died. 

We were able to explore tunnels under the Astronomical clock that the Czechs used while rebelling against the Nazi's. 

The Jewish cemetery 

This is a picture of Nicholas Winton who just passed away yesterday at the age of 106. This incredible man is known for rescuing 669 children in Prague from the Holocaust. You can read more about him at this link. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/02/world/europe/nicholas-winton-is-dead-at-106-saved-children-from-the-holocaust.html?_r=0

A video recently went viral that showed him at an event where several of the "children" that he saved had been invited to and were able to thank him these many years later. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6_nFuJAF5F0

Two and a half hours later, we thanked her and decided on a place for dinner. We knew the place we wanted to try, but once again, Whitney's app led us astray. :) Fortunately, Anya's app knew the right direction and we managed to find it (teamwork!). 

Crossing the Charles Bridge again 

4 years ago, Stephen and I each touched one of these statues. One is good luck and the other is bad luck. I think I touched the other one last time for what I thought might be good luck. Trying my luck with the dog this time. 

Trying to find the restaurant.

Dinner

After dinner, we walked to Wenceslas Square....but as we were walking out of the restaurant, we decided to find the square without looking at a map! We started out great, but due to windy streets and focusing more on our conversations, we ended up making a semi-circle back to the river. 

So which way are we supposed to go?

Undeterred, we turned around and tried again. Due to Whitney's excellent sense of direction, we eventually ended up at the square! :) We visited our friend, the statue (that Whitney had made the story about yesterday), I took a jumping pic :), then we decided to make our way to the Old Town Square....again, without directions! 

Anya found a hidden Mickey!

About half way, we stopped at Costa Coffee (you can never have too much in Europe :) ). 

After successfully (and much more easily this time) reaching our destination, we resumed our seats (from last night) on the sidewalk to enjoy our surroundings. 

Possibly one of my favorite moments from the day happened then. A couple of guys on segways were riding around trying to recruit people to their tours. One in particular was driving nearby, when he pulled out a water gun and started shooting the pigeons! I couldn't stop laughing. :) After seeing that he was a prankster, we enjoyed watching more of his antics. 

At 9:00, we joined the massive crowd of people who were watching the clock with anticipation and who all had their phones, cameras, and selfie sticks ready for the "show." For all the hype it creates, it is actually a simple show. However, considering how long this clock has been ticking (only three people in the world know how to work it), it is quite impressive. 

Our next stop was to see the Charles Bridge at sunset. But everyone else seemed to have the same idea as well. Just as the sun was beginning to set, we found a spot by the river enjoying the beautiful scenery and each other's company. Once the sun had set and the lights were illuminating the castle, our view was particularly spectacular. It was a great way to end the night before walking home for the night. 

Stats for the day: 25,326 steps, 10.9 miles, 16 floors

Inside Jokes:

Whitney (by the Charles Bridge): "so Jilł, where do you want to jump?" 

Me: "excuse me? But I feel so much better today!"

Turtle/Third wall

Anya thought she found the turtle shop in a different spot, twice.

Pickle pastry

Anya and the weapon

Tour guide: "one of the statues had to be destroyed. Do you know which one?" 

Anya: "Hugo Boss?" 

(Tour guide smiled)

Lady on phone told us completely wrong directions to restaurant

Anya (at clock tower): "Is it going to get better?"

Tour guide: "so, what did you do this morning?"

Guy on Segway: "it'll change your life"