Prague escapades part 2. Believe it or not Prague is a great place to visit in the winter, it may be -5 degrees but the stark bleakness that winter brings seems to add to it's mystic. And the magnificent architecture contrasts even more brilliantly against the bright grey sky. It has a macarbe humour.
The week before my trip I happened across an article in the wikipedia that interested me. It was about vanitas, vanitas is a term that describes a type of painting where the artist uses symbolism to convey the message of 'Carpe diem' or 'Memento mori' in other words that we should make the most of life and live in the moment, that we should remember our mortality. The symbols that represented this were skulls, mirrors, clocks, rotten fruit and musical instruments, they were often put together in a still lifeby Dutch painters. When we visited the Astronomical clock in the Old town square I was pleased that reading this information helped me understand the symbolism in some of the decoration on the clock. The clock face is surrounded by four figures, one a man holding a mirror, one a man holding a musical instrument and one a skeleton that strikes the hour on a bell. I'm not too sure what the other man is holding,I couldn't quite make it out. I just enjoyed the fact that these symbols regarding death actually have a life affirming message. The whole city had that effect on me, with its sinister towering statues and dark ominous cathedrals, it stirs the drama within you and puts you under its' spell, it's the darkness that makes it so vital. We were also lucky to have the full moon which further brought the place alive.
About half an hour after I got back last night there was a film on called 'Kafka' which was partly filmed in Prague, we watched it with the sound down cause my boyfriend has the new Sonic Youth album and he wanted us to hear it , but my friend and I were able to say 'oooh we've just been there'. This has happened a few times to me, last time I went away the actual pub we were sat in the day before was on countryfile, with John Craven sat at the next table to the one we were sat at. And last time we were in Oxford we got back to our hotel and there was a film featuring the Bridge of Sighs which we were just stood under taking photos! Very Strange. I read a story about synchronicity the other day, where a women had just read in her book that synchronicity often occurs when one is traveling because you are in motion, she later got on a bus and had just began reading when she noticed the women sat opposite her was reading exactly the same book.
If anyone intends a visit to Prague, here's my little travel guide, I'd like to recommend;
The Hotel Mucha; It has lovely food in the restaurant and a handy location, breakfast was a little odd but we English do like our traditional fry up when we're on holiday!
Using the public transport; they have it so sorted, it's cheap and reliable which is more than I can say for it in England but I won't start ranting about that did too much of that while I was away!
Municipal House; It's a really impressive building well worth a look if you're a fan of Art Noveau and they put on classical concerts and exhibitions.
The Agharta Jazz Centrum; Which is a very cool underground Jazz club, (the years I wanted to go to a real cavernous jazz club complete with tables with candles!) it has a great atmosphere and the people are very friendly.
Learning the pleasantries in Czech; Speaking English does seem to recieve a frosty reception, this however can be quickly turned into a smile if you make ridiculous attempts at the language.
Must get to bed got some sleep to catch up with. Goodnight all!