Phil in Prague

Kate and I had been to Prague a few times before. We’ve seen the magnificent churches, met people under St. Wenceslas’s horse’s tail, had the pilsner beer, and eaten the dumplings. We knew a good walking route, were familiar with the confusing exchange rate, and even had a favorite restaurant. Even Pecos had been there before (and had a lot to remind us about it, as you can see).

But I can’t say that this made us any more prepared for the trip.

For starters, we underestimated the distance.

Although we knew he was jetlagged, we wickedly got Phil to wake up the day after he landed at 7 a.m. (1 a.m. his time) for an early departure to Prague-Wonderland, thinking we’d get there lickity-split. Well, pride and prejudice got the best of my 4.5-hour estimate, as it took us close to six hours to complete the harrowing (almost deadly) trip to this very pointy city lying.

Then, once we got there, (and since Kate and I had been to Prague a few times before), we immediately rushed Phil to what we shallowly thought were the biggest and best places to see – the bridge, the castle, the town square, and our favorite restaurant. Here's Kate and I at the restaurant. (You can see Phil's reflection).

And here's Pecos on the bridge, touching the bronze relief showing a soldier petting a dog in a dungeon. Legend says if you touch the dog and wish for a secret to never come out, this wish will be granted. Pecos told me he wished that Kate never find out how much more he loves me more than Kate. I guess he didn't understand the rules.

As this was Phil’s first time in Europe, however, we didn’t realize he couldn’t fully appreciate St. Wenceslas, the dumplings, or the tried-and-true walking route that cuts through the city in the most efficient way (and perhaps not most attractive) way. What he would appreciate, we later found out, were the staples of Europe: outdoor cafés, good beer, and views of the pretty dames.

Luckily, Phil was a flexible tourist, able to enjoy the many views – no matter where he was – both high and low.

Here’s Phil finding something attractive high. And here’s one of the numerous attractive things Phil found low (that we can show you a picture of). (We’d show you more pictures if it was socially acceptable to take pictures of those things).

Since Kate and I had been to Prague a few times before, we knew that, if you just use your ears, you’d swear Prague is an American city with a lot of foreign tourists (chiefly British). Luckily, we used our eyes too. Here are my, somewhat less traditional shots of Prague: And here are some of Phil’s more traditional pictures:
Then, since Kate and I had been to Prague a few times before, we’d a few of Prague’s nicknames: City of a Thousand Spires, City of Gold, City of Lost Cars.

It was this last one that we really found an appreciation for. Because, despite the fact that Kate and I had been to Prague a few times before, we unknowingly parked in a tow zone when we arrived. So when we realized the car was missing the next morning, I was quickly reminded of this apt nickname and very, very worried that someone had ganked our Ka.

Fortunately, after a few phone calls, a long walk, and 66 euros, the Ka was back in our possession – no worse for wear than it already was.

(For those readers that haven’t been, Prague is certainly a place worth checking out, despite the nickname.)

And finally, on the drive back Kate and I thought it appropriate to stop at Würzburg – a city that Kate and I agreed seemed like a smaller and closer version of Prague. It has a pedestrian bridge, a castle, a large square, churches, a few good looking women, and, now, a new favorite restaurant.