Adventures for Anyone: Remembering Prague and The Area

It seems like a million years ago when I went to Prague. It was Czechoslovakia at the time. It was 1991, and they had just had their Velvet Revolution and become a sovereign land. They were experiencing life without Communism and a whole new world at their fingertips. It was a magical time. I reflect on it now, because lately the area has been showcased in television travel programs and I've been feeling nostalgic. So many things have changed and continue to change. So many things are just as I remember them.

Prague has always been famous for it's castle and the surrounding area. The government still works out of the castle area. I remember touring it in 1991 and that was not the case yet. The castle was all but vacant when I was there. We got to see all of it and the views that it affords of the Vltava River below. The cathedral is amazing and the whole neighborhood is magical and ancient. The changing of the guards still happens today and the gates remain the same. The workings inside have changed to accommodate the modern government, but the view is the same. As a tourist, I appreciate that.

Prague has always been a mix of themes. In the old days there was an old town and only a slightly newer New Town. Today you can see the old world of Kafka and his home in Prague and the new look of the buildings that were designed post Communism as they sit right next to classic old buildings of Prague. There is nothing about Prague that isn't unique. Everything about this city says Prague. You never forget where you are.

Prague has more than one impressive open area for people, tourist and local alike. The old town square is the most noted most of the time. The astrnomical clock has been around for hundreds of years and crowds still gather in front of it today. It's still a marvel and it is wonderfully beautiful. The trip up the tower to see the views of the city is well worth the climb as well. I've been around, and I can say without a doubt that Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen.

Any time you look at St. Wenceslaus Square it is beautiful. There have been revolutions there. People have lighted themselves on fire there. When I was there, the new government was forming in offices there. There were also a ton of wine, cheese, chocolate and flower shops there. It was the center of change and romance. The views from the Charles Bridge are amazing. The trip to Prague is worth it just to see the castle at night from the bridge. Not joking. You will see these views in your dreams. Prague is a magical city.

We never forget that Prague and Czechoslovakia were part of the Holocaust. The Jewish Quarter as it is known in Prague goes back many centuries. During WWII and the Holocaust so many thousands were lost that I don't have that number. Today, as in many other parts of Europe, they are exercising the motto of "We Forgive but we never Forget". They have museums, monuments and a research center in the quarter and they should not be missed. There are also amazing cemeteries, temples and other sights for your education.

While the view is amazing, the ambience is one of a kind and the worlds of old and new alongside one another always impresses; let's not forget the food and certainly not the beer. When I was in Prague we tried out some restaurants and we were made to feel more welcome than I had ever felt in a restaurant in my life. I felt as though I was dining at someone's home. They gave us samples of the specials to choose our dishes from. They were attentive and talked to us. They told us about their lives and asked us about ours. I don't know if this is still the same, but it was one of the best parts of my experience in Prague.