Food, glorious food, oh, how we have missed you!
It has been called one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe! With the river gliding through the city and its 17 bridges, it becomes the scene from Smetana's compositions.. The RIVER.. as you watch the river go through various channels. The sun glints and shines down upon the water cruising past the bridges, connecting, and becoming an even larger body of water.
The ornate St. Charles Bridge speaks of the history of the Czech Republic as one can't help bu notice the statues lining the bridge. Statues portraying the leaders of the country or the martyrs or the guardian who brings peace to the city as he guards its entrance.
Vendors selling their wares line the crowded bridge as do muscicians and puppet masters. A quintet with a cello, a banjo, a clarinet, and what looked to be a washboard with an egg beater played alongside a main vocalist who used a megaphone looking instrument to project his voice making the music sound very Big Bandish.
At the center of the city was a large town square filled to the brim with tourists. I watched as each group was led by someone carrying an umbrella or a stick held high up in the air as the tourists followed the object round and round the square!
My sister and I found a great bookstore called THE GLOBE which was located in a building that looked like an old library. It contains a larger 2-story cafe/bar. English books lined the walls as did newspapers and magazines. Chocolate... REAL chocolate.. was used in making the hot chocolate we devoured:)
Parks were strewn throughout the NEW section.. Dogs, dressed as smartly as people, trounced around their dogparks.
After ordering food, a clear glass filled with plaid, colorful napkins and silverware is set before you. Your food is wonderfully prepared and the amazing creations are brought out to you. My first experience, although excellent, had nothing on my 2nd experience. A full plate came my way and was filled with brighly colored zucchini, cucumbers, red peppers, and other veggies on top of a succulent chicken breast covered in a spicy, yesty, and flavorful red sauce. It cost 115 KC, but in the US would have rivaled a $16-25 dinner at my favorite restaurant. We also tried the potato pancakes, which were doused in oil, and fried with a hint of garlic, pepper, salt, and oregano! YUM!
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Inside the bakery, little tables and sets of chairs line the windows with light spilling inside making it a warm environment. There is a second level filled with oval tables seating two people where people come to read or finish assignments or just for a cup of coffee on their way home from work. Kids line the area begging their moms for a sweet or two or for one of the infamous desserts.
