Prague (Czech Republic) - Part 2

Day 2 in Prague started out after a good night's sleep and late morning. However, the weather was the complete opposite from the day before (absolutely POURING!) so we decided to do our bit of shopping in the local stores. We first needed a hearty breakfast though, so we ended up at this little French place for a yummy breakfast and much needed coffee. Had a few communication problems with the waiter, but it was OK b/c the food was excellent!


After that we went by a historic Jewish cemetery where all of Prague's Jews were buried until 1600. 12,000 tombstones were all crammed into this TINY tree shaded patch of land. It is estimated that as many as 100,000 Jews are buried in that tiny space, being 12 bodies deep! Absolutely crazy!!!

Jo, Ashley, and I picked up some GREAT things in the shops. For those of you that don't know (as I didn't know either before I arrived), Prague is famous for their garnet stones as well as their amber jewelry. My birthstone is garnet, so it was a good excuse to get a really pretty ring with a garnet stone as my main souvenir to bring back with me. Jo got a garnet ring as well and Ashley got a pair of garnet earrings (her birthstone as well!).

We also picked up a few other great things that I can't mention b/c they're all souvenirs for you guys back at home - but we got some great deals! I exercised my "negotiation/bargaining skills" and I always get a rush when I've bought something at a great price and actually worked hard to GET that price - HA! :-) I love doing the whole, "Ok well I'm not interested and can get that for much cheaper next door" thing to the shopkeepers while walking out of their store and then they basically drag you back in to negotiate! What a thrill! :-)

We then went back to the hostel to get changed into appropriate clothes (for a change - HA!) and get ready for dinner. Ashley found this place called U Maltezskych rytiru (yeah we couldn't pronounce it either!) in the guide book that sounded really cool and we made reservations. It was basically an old Gothic cellar that was once an inn for the famous Knights of Malta. It's family owned and run by the Cernikova family. Jo and I split the venison chateaubriand and Ashley had the wild boar. Everything was FANTASTIC and the atmosphere was incredible!

We sat at the very table that President Havel and many other famous guests frequent. Toward the end of the evening, Mrs. Cernikova (a woman of about 60 or so - see pic) called us into the other small room and told us the story of the place and about the Knights of Malta. She included a ghost story about the shopkeeper who used to own the place and his two daughters. She even did voices and it was hilarious!


They're also famous at the restaurant for their apple strudel, so we had to of COURSE order some of that as well. Delish!

After saying our goodbyes and leaving the restaurant we walked back to the hostel and saw the famous Charles Bridge one last time in the dark. It's quite different than it is during the day in terms of the people that frequent it and the scenery. Very romantic!!! ;-)

The next morning we just did our last little bit of exploring and then arranged for a taxi to come and pick us up and take us to the airport. Sadly, it was time to say farewell to Prague and head back to London...

We had a great time though - and I'd LOVE to go back again sometime! A definite must if you ever find yourself in eastern Europe!