Central Europe 2013: Easin' Down

We are either really relaxing into this travel thing or else we're getting tired. Couple of days of doing not too much. And how good it felt!

Our apartment is in the old Jewish quarter of Prague and so we spent some time yesterday exploring it. One of the most unique features is the old Jewish cemetery. For centuries, Jews were confined in a ghetto here as in many other places. They had very little space, and lots of land for a graveyard could not be justified. So they set aside what they could, and began burying people in multiples in the same space. There are some graves where folks are stacked up twelve deep! As a result, the gravestones look like they were arranged by someone deranged, and the level kept getting higher. It is no longer in use with the demise of the ghetto. We didn't go inside (had to buy a multi-ticket we didn't want), but workmen were repairing the wall outside, so we peeked in.

We walked across town to see another landmark, this one only a decade or two old. The locals call it the Dancing House, but the guide books call it the Fred and Ginger House. You can see why!

We had dinner at a newer restaurant a block away from our place called Lokal. Supposed to have fresh, authentic Czech food. They refused to have an English menu until about a year ago. Thank goodness they changed their minds. It was so good, we went back Thursday and got takeout. Breaded chicken cutlet and goulash. And the mashed potatoes with onions were fabulous!

Today we split up to cater to different interests. I went to the Mucha museum (he of the Art Noveau poster fame) while Jerry went to the Medieval Torture Museum. No comment. I also stopped in at a few places our "landlady" recommended and they were great - no tourists either. One was a beautiful glass store in an old traditionally styled building. The other was the Ex-pat center at her bank! Gorgeous building. She told me to just walk in like I owned the place and walk up to the 2nd floor, so I did. Worth it!