I hurriedly unpacked and repacked my bags, but my camera was not to be found. Running from the peace of the Charles bride at 5 in the morning I dashed back to the nearest taxi and caught a ride back to the bus station where I had arrived into Prague, and originally repacked my bag. I knew I had put my camera down beside me, but it had gone. Swearing at myself, I through my bag over my shoulder, and headed back down the road the cab had come on. I had noticed a bar and being Prague they're open till the cold light of day. A shot, a beer, cigarette. A talk to Jack on facebook. A shot, a beer, cigarette. A talk with Dylan on facebook. It was not the lost of the camera that really annoyed me, but the loss of the memory card contained within. Out of all the photo's taken on the trip, some of my most favourite were of me and Szilvi at Mt. Ślęża gone. I have learnt not to let thing like this let me get down for long, but I wasn't a great way to start the morning.
Still annoyed but feeling a little better I headed back to admire the Charles bridge while it was still
quite and the masses had not yet awoke. Statues of stone and polished bronze lining both sides and
great decorative arches at either end looming proud. From the centre of this cobbled thoroughfare, I gazed out towards the photogenic city, the castle and Eiffel tower as I would discover it's known as. The grey light coming up killing the last of the night. I made it to the other side to my hostel, talking for a while with the early risers before heading to my room to pass out. The sleep was blissful after the bus ride, the middle back seat offering little in the way of comfort, doubting that those on either would appreciate me resting my head on them as the journey went; and of course, the missing camera wasn't helping matter either.
When I woke in the early afternoon, I took a trip up to the Prague Eiffel tower, I learnt later that
the design was based of the original, which can be clearly seen, but top point also shares the same hight above sea level. However there is a little cheating involved using a hill to gain most of it's hight and the construction, considerably smaller sits on top. It does however have an unbeatable view of the photogenic city below. Red roofs but not Florrintesk, the spectacular castle and the river that winds under the Charles bridge, now heavily laden with tourists on this cold but sunny day.
When I had my fill, and snapped my memories from every angle, I descended the tower and too to the building adjacent. The child that lives inside all of us, or at least that should live, got a chance to play, in the labyrinth of mirrors. I am glad to say, it's still amusing to watch your body distort as if standing three feat tall, or head elongated and sticking out like a giraffe and belly buldging in the next, head swelling like a cartoon in the one after. Filled with childish laughs I wondered round the summit, and then caching the funicular down back to the base. I spent my evening socialising, and when I headed back to my room I discovered all my room mates were beautiful, American, and staring into there phones. With a beaming smile I knew I couldn't let the opportunity go past without the first thing me saying was, "well I lucked out here!"
The next day brought about adventure, and a little more knowledge of the place I was in. I was proud of myself of the half a dozen Czech words I had already picked up; after Poland I was starting to get used to the Slavic sounds, and it helps that 'I don't understand' is nearly the same in both. A walking tour I joined showcasing the brilliance of Prague, visited very impressive churches. One with the odd tale that goes along the lines of: It is good luck to place a leave jewels on the high altar, the statue of the Virgin Marry. One man 400 years ago stayed in the church one night, to steel the precious gifts. Legend says that when he touched them the statue moved and grabbed him by the wrist. Try as he might, he could not break her grip. Being discovered in the morning not being able to be pulled from his place, the authority performed the act that was the penalty for stealing in those times, by cutting of his hand. The hand and upper arm can still be seen today, rotted dangling from a chain and nail near the entrance. Creepy but, there's character.
On this walking tour I met two people that I greatly enjoyed the company of for the next few days. A Kiwi called Barney, and a Turk called Ari. Drinking with our guide after our tour, learning a little more of the language, history, and had a good time. From there Ari, Barney and I went exploring the city bursting at the seems with beauty, with a few shenanigans along the way. We set out to find the John Lennon wall but happened to stumble across these giant brass babies with imploding faces. A little drunk still we posed like rock stars, taking a whole range of embarrassing photos that ended up on facebook. I wouldn't of posted the photo of me popping the cheeky nut, but it ended up there so I'll live with the laugh.
Ari has a few classically embarrassing photos too... Barney however scored a champion shot when we got to 'Before I die...' wall. There were items others had written like skydiving or meeting One Direction, but on stood out in big red letters "Before I die, I want too FUCK BARNEY.” Obliging he left his e-mail address next to it with an arrow. By the ever evolving wall of John Lennon we sat, singing some of the greatest lyrics ever to be penned down. Good to say we all like what we do because based on that performance none of us are going to make it as cover singers. More beers followed, as did the town centre and souvenir shops. As Halloween approached masks hung in many stores, the pictures at the bottom may give you an indication of the great laughs we had.
Before I die.. Ari and I
Great taste Barney
Gold
Line up ladies
Shenanigans
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