A Perfect Sunday in Prague

Strahov Library Window

The far window looks into the Theological Hall in Strahov Monastery Library There's a surprise behind the window. Click the Pic. to see.

Back in 1996, a perfect Sunday in Prague started with Sunday Brunch at Red Hot & Blues. They had the best American breakfast in the city, a friendly Czech staff and a largely ex-pat clientele. Friendly and relaxed, you didn’t mind the typical Czech service. Your orange juice and coffee might be served at the same temperature. The Czech waitress seemed to misunderstand the meaning of the wait part of her title.

After brunch, a walk from Ujezd up the hill, through the park to Strahov Monastery.

It’s my favorite spot in Prague. A real working Monastery with an incredibly beautiful library. The ornately beautiful Philosophical and Theological halls with frescoed ceilings and shelves of centuries old leather bound books are a trip back in time. It is the Monastery’s actual working library. The library and its museum are not highlighted in the tourist books and therefore rarely crowded.

After a vist to the Library and Museum, find a spot on a bench on the Monastery grounds. With vineyards cascading down the hill toward Mala-Strana and the U.S. Ambassador’s residence, the Monastary grounds overlook Prague Castle, St Nicholas Cathedral, The Charles Bridge, the Vlatava River and Old Towne Prague. The view is spectacular as the sun sets over your shoulder and turns the city to gold and the chimes from bells in the Monastery, the Castle and St Nicholas fill the air.

End the day with fresh draft Czech beer and live Jazz at U-Maleho Glena. …
Perfect!

I have posted some pictures of Strahov Monastery on my Flickr photo site. Check them out. More to follow.

Walking with Hillary

Window Reykjavik Restaurant, Praha

The photo was taken from inside Reykjavik Seafood Restaurant in Old Town Prague. In 1996 it was among Prague’s top restaurants. I had dinner there the night I walked across the Charles Bridge with Hillary Clinton.

After dinner, I was walking across the Charles Bridge on my way home to my apartment in Smichov (with a stop first at U Maleho Glena). Hillary Clinton joined me on the walk. Sort of.

It was a day or so before the fourth of July. Hillary Clinton was on a European tour with a stop in Prague. As I walked, east to west, across Prague’s landmark pedestrian bridge, Hillary and entourage were crossing west to east.

The Charles Bridge is always crowded but never more so than on a warm summer evening. As I started across the bridge, there was the normal heavy evening press. As I neared the center of the bridge, the crowd moving toward me became increasingly dense with something of an urgent press forward. I was clearly going against the flow when I encountered a flying wedge of secret service and security shouldering the crowd out of the way so that Hillary and company had a wide swath of un-crowded bridge to casually stroll across. I was one of the folks elbowed aside to create that space.

I’ve walked across the Charles Bridge with Hillary.

Prague, 1996 revisited

A magic time in the golden city

Sunday morning after a rain. This 1961 Skoda Octavia has the street to itself.

On the left, Prague roofs viewed from the clock tower in Old Town Square. On the right, the Mill on Kampa Park (now restored).

Golden Prague. The Embankment and Old Town Prague seen from Kampa.

Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral.
Prague at night is magic



Click on the Pic.

to see a different side of 1996 Prague.





Read my post Walking with Hillary about my stroll across the Charles Bridge with Hillary Clinton.

Or check out my idea of A Perfect Sunday in Prague

Mala Strana, Karlov Most and Old Town Prague from Prague Castle.

To see more photos from this magic city please visit my PhotoSets Prague 1996 and Prague 2002 on Flickr.

Prague 1996

A magic time in the golden city

Remembering good friends and good times

Gabriela, Dorian & Maggi at U Maleho Glena

In 1996 U Maleho Glena was arguably the best bar in town. I have pictures and stories to prove it. Vaclav Havel stopped by one Sunday night to hear some jazz. Woody Harrelson stopped in to drink some absinth and hit on Maggie.

Maggi tending bar, Gabriela in Halloween attire at U Maleho Glena.

Live music downstairs most nights. Open mike jam on Monday, Reggae on Wednesday, Jazz Saturday and Sunday. Good folks, food and beer every night. The Sax player's name is Bill. He was the best in Prague in 1996. I remember his music but not his last name. If anyone knows, please leave a comment.

The Tiger Lillies, you had to be there.

Click the Pic. to see a different side of 1996 Prague.

Read my post Walking with Hillary about my stroll across the Charles Bridge with Hillary Clinton.

Or check out my idea of A Perfect Sunday in Prague


To see more photos from this magic city please visit my PhotoSets Prague 1996 and Prague 2002 on Flickr.