Day 3: Krivoklat - down by the river

While traveling, the goal is often to find something off-the-beaten path, somewhere non-touristy, somewhere "only the locals go."   You could say it's one of the Holy Grails of Travel.   Luckily, we were being hosted by a couple of honorary locals in Dena and Brian.   After castle number two, they took us to an awesome little restaurant down by the river.   It was a little bit of a hike but that's the "off-the-beaten path" part, right?    Later, while reviewing the trip, our dinner here was in the running for "Best Moment" of the trip.  I got both a candid and posed photo of the group and like them both.   Enjoy!

Day 3: Prague - the cankle

Sadly, Brian had been stung by a bee on his ankle shortly before we arrived in Prague.  The result?  Our constant companion: "the cankle."  As with any group that's hanging out together, we developed several running inside jokes.  One involved a YouTube video mocking Chloe Sevigny and her supposed new found love of toast.  Check it out.   Justin knows all the dialogue by heart and it NEVER got old when he broke into a recitation.  Another inside joke was in response to the question, "Where...?"  The answer: "Your mom's house."  So, I'd ask, "Where're we gonna have dinner?"  Response, "Your mom's house."  Or, "Where's the museum?" "Uh, next to your mom's house."  Then, there were the foxes.  At the second castle on day 3, we were looking over a wall and Justin exclaims, "There's a fox!"  We're all looking for the fox but all we see is a cat.  Of course, it WAS a cat.  So, the rest of the trip, whenever we saw a cat (and there were lots), we'd say, "There's a fox!"   Which brings us back to the cankle.  While Brian was suffering through his swollen ankle, we'd be saying things like:  "Is the cankle having a good time?" "I'm so glad the cankle could join us!" "Does the cankle need a drink?"  And, again, it somehow NEVER got old.

Day 3: Krivoklat Castle

The second castle of the day was a little less interesting, a little less grand, a little less ornate but it was still fanTAStic!  Again, it was perched on a hill with the town nestled below.  It brought to mind a romanticized vision of a Czech coutryside dotted with fiefdoms with knights on horses, princesses in towers and serfs herding pigs through the streets (OK, that part maybe not so romantic).  I said it wasn't that ornate but it had this great knocker on the main gate.  Probably not the original.

Day 3: Karlstejn Castle

On our third day in the Czech Republic, we went on an excursion outside of Prague to a couple castles.  We took a charming little train into the Czech countryside (Part of the "charm" of the train was a toilet that was simply a hole that went directly down to the tracks.  Sorry, I didn't get a picture of that).  The countryside was gorgeous reminding us of western Pennsylvania which, if you're not familiar, is similar to southern Ohio.  The first castle we came to was in the town of Karlstejn.   It was right out of a fairy tale!  The castle sits high atop a hill with the town nestled below.  I half expected knights on horseback to come riding down the street or a blacksmith to step out of a shop.   It all felt very medieval.

Day 2: Prague - Super Jesus!

There's a shocking amount of graffiti in Europe.  It's everywhere: on apartment building, government buildings, office buildings, houses, subway stations, subway cars, everywhere!   While most of it is visual noise, once in awhile you'll stumble on a bit of artistry.  Walking through a park near our hosts' apartment, I found one such gem:  Super Jesus - smiling and flexing his biceps at me.  I felt blessed.

Day 2: Prague - the warrior

I never feel like I take good people pictures but I was really happy with these.  Of course, it helps that I had an outstanding subject.  And, Brandon does stand out!  Another of our end of trip "Best of" categories was best people watching.  At first, my response was Bosnia but then I realized my favorite people watching was watching people respond to Brandon.  Brandon is very tall (6'7 I think) and he usually walked at the front of our little band of travelers.   As he walked ahead, I'd watch the expression on people's faces as he approached.  They'd start about mid torso and there eyes would travel up and up often with a dropped-jawed espression.  It was awesome!

NOTE:  All three of us are tall so we stood out as a group.  On the METRO in Rome, a gentleman approached and asked, "Where are you from?" "The US." "Ah American.  Do you play basket(ball)?"  "No, but he does" as I gestured to Brandon.



Day 2: Prague - the castle museum gift shop

On the last day of our trip, we sat in a cafe in Florence and did a "Best of" list.  Best photo unanimously went to the one taken in the Story of Prague Castle museum gift shop.  The photo's great for a variety of reasons:  it involves props, a little bit of subversiveness and a lot of fun.  But, what I really like about it is that it captures the personality of our little band of travelers.  Justin, even when he's behind the camera, is always on stage - working the crowd for a laugh and waiting to deliver the cleverest of lines.  Most of time, he nails it!  Brandon is the warrior and protector of the group, ready to go to battle whenever necessary.   I especially appreciated the way he made sure we were all taken care of in all sorts of ways.  Me?  I was definitely the documentarian.  I was the only one who always had my camera and would often get left behind when I stopped to take a picture.   I kept thinking, "Guys!  C'mon!  I gotta do my Pic o' the Day when get back."

Day 2: Prague - the tower of St. Vitus Cathedral

While I couldn't convince my travel companions to join me, I climbed the south tower of St. Cathedral.   It was a bit of a hike but the views of central Prague, the Vltava River and the spires of the cathedral were breath-taking.  Shoulda joined me guys!

Day 2: Prague - Prague Castle

Prague Castle is a huge fortress built on a hillside overlooking central Prague.  Smack dab in the middle of the castle grounds is St. Vitus Cathedral which, after touring both inside and outside, made me think, "Notre Dame de Paris has nothing on this place."  Of course, I'm not a student of architecture so I can't tell you if that's really the case or not.  But, it was pretty impressive.

Day 1: Prague - Parental discretion advised

I love public art with a message.  So, you can imagine my delight with the 'Piss' sculpture by Czech artist David Cerny.  The sculpture consists of two animatronic figures piddling in a puddle the shape of the Czech Republic.  Presumably, they are politicians having a p***ing match over the direction the Czech Republic is taking which is a particularly poignant message given the current state of  US politics.  BONUS:  You can text a message to the sculpture which it will then "write" in the water for you.

Day 1: Prague - Charles Bridge

While there are several bridges that traverse the Vtlava River in central Prague, the Charles Bridge is most prominent.  It's a pedestian bridge lined with statues and shrines that reflect the rich history of Prague.  One shrine of note commemorates the death of a priest, St. John of Nepomuk, who was thrown to his death for refusing to reveal the queen's confusions to King Wenceslas IV.   You all remember that from European History class, right?  I've thrown in a photo of another statue on the bridge.   Not sure who it's of but I thought it was pretty cool.

Day 1: Prague - I'm feeling moved.

Little known fact:  The Prague metro system has some of the fastest escalators in the world.  OK, maybe it's not a fact but they were pretty darn fast.   As you can see, they could be fairly long and you'd step on and it felt like you were already half-way up.  I mean, they were quick!  The Prague metro also had some of the best poster ads which, coupled with the fast escalators, is a bit of shame because this was stuff you did not want to miss!  There was this awesome condom ad I kept trying to get a picture of but couldn't 'cause....the escalators were just too dang fast!   My consolation was this fantastic Euroawk ad.  I hope you can make out through the glare the kitty head superimposed on the pair of dancing jeans.

Day 1: Prague - the astronomical clock

Prague is charming!  Don't let anyone tell you it's not.  Take for instance the astronomical clock in Old Town Square that springs to life every hour on the dot with assorted disciples traipsing out in a miniparade while a skeleton rings a bell.   As my guide book says, you may hear the crowd mumuring "Is that it?"   But, who cares?   It's utterly charming!

Day 1 - Prague - The Cathedral of Travel Companions

My  2011 pictorial tour begins with a couple themes:  cathedrals and travel companions.   First, cathedrals: It's Europe so of course there are churches everywhere each of them nearly as lovely as the last.  However, they begin to run together after awhile so most will remain unnamed.  This lovely example is somewhere in Prague and has the distinction of being the first photo I took.   Second, travel companions:  I had the pleasure of making the trip with Justin and Brandon Nee old friends from the call center at Nationwide.  Starting out, we had an even larger group as we met up with the Nees' friends Dena and Brian who have been living in Prague for the past two years. Pictured in front of the National Museum from left to right are:  Dena, Brandon, Justin and Brian.