architecture

March 2, 2020

Old Town Square, Prague

Getting to see the legendary Astronomical Clock in person was so special.

The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the oldest clock in the world that is still operating.

The Church of our Lady before Tyn (please note the bear friends I met while I wandered).

The House at the Minute. Covered in ornate Sgraffito decorations depicting Greek mythology as well as references to biblical and Renaissance legends,

The Powder Tower

The Municipal House is the Art Nouveau gem

One of the eateries on my list was Cafe’ Imperial. The interior is decorated an art nouveau finish. It brings back the grandeur of the turn of the century in Prague with elaborately carved ceramic tiles covering the walls and the pillars of the cafe in floral and animal designs depicting Asian or Moorish scenes.

I had French onion soup and cucumber salad in yogurt.

January 26, 2020

Strahov Monastery

This Premonstratensian monastery was founded in 1140. In the complex there is the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Strahov Library (with a number of medieval manuscripts, maps and globes, the Baroque Theological Hall, the Classical Philosophy Hall decorated with frescoes), and the Strahov Gallery, one of the most significant Central European collections of Gothic painting, Rudolfian art, and Baroque and Rococo paintings.

It was a dream of mine to see the Strahov Library! Can you blame me? There’s one notch off my bucket list.

I snapped a couple of interior shots rather inconspicuously and quickly.

I mean, that ceiling.

I was overcome with gratitude for having had the opportunity to see this historical vision in person. Off to explore more of the city!

January 24, 2020

My First Prague Morning

On my first full day in Prague, I made sure to wake up bright in early, despite the jet lag and different time zone. I had a packed itinerary, as I planned meticulously (see also: psychotically) in advance. There was so much to see, and I didn’t want to miss any of it!

Imagine turning the corner and happening upon this! This is the Powder Tower, the entrance by which Czech kings entered Old Town; it’s one of the most significant monuments of Late Gothic Prague (completed in 1475!) My jaw literally dropped.

This is the French Breakfast at Cafe’ Savoy. One of my best friends had recommended going there during my stay, and oh, how I am glad she did! Embarrassingly enough, this entire spread was all for me! The meal included scrambled eggs in a croissant, grilled pork sausages, mustard, potatoes, pickled vegetables, lettuce, French toast, freshly-squeezed orange juice, and café au lait. (This was before I went back to vegetarian lifestyle, of course). As if that wasn’t enough food, I had to try a little cream puff straight from their on-site patisserie. It was the loveliest atmosphere- perfect for a rainy morning. The walk there was magic, too.

Frescos

I kept ending up in front of this hotel, somehow! I’m convinced it was following me. Luckily, it wasn’t so bad to look at!

January 18, 2020

Arriving in Prague

It was a dream of mine to travel to Prague for many years. I had seen photographs of the city’s gothic architecture and red roofs in my grandfather’s National Geographic books. Growing up in America, (and South Florida, at that), I had recurring dreams about Prague’s ancient landscapes and earthy color palettes; the images shook me out of strip-mall monotony.

After going back to school and completing my Associate’s Degree, I needed a break to focus on my own personal growth. With the recent loss of one of my close friends, I started to rethink our tendency to put off dreams for a “better” time. The truth is, there may be no other time than right now.

I decided to take off the semester to see another part of the world (and develop my podcast project). I organized a budget-friendly experience and stayed in an Airbnb room in the heart of Prague 1. I had never traveled alone in a foreign country, so I was a bit nervous about the language barrier and my dreadful sense of direction. To prepare, I did a ton of research beforehand.

On my first evening there, I walked around the narrow, cobblestone roads with pink buildings and pistachio rooftops towering above me. I wanted to have dinner somewhere that offered a breathtaking view of the city, and Kate, who runs the instagram account @praguetoday, recommended T-Anker restaurant. I was overwhelmed by the panorama! My periphery was submerged in flower boxes of vivid red, and just beyond that lied a medieval skyline that looked straight-outta-fairytales. I genuinely questioned if I was dreaming it all. Turns out, I wasn’t!

October 28, 2019

Anarchy in the EU

This colorful building is my most favorite in Berlin! Located on Kreutzigerstrasse in Friedrichshain, the former squat is now a community project that brings edgy joy to its passerbys :). There wasn’t much light that day, unfortunately, but the shadowy tones accurately reflect the mood.

Punk is surely alive and well in Berlin! One of the city’s most seductive qualities is its endless display of street art.