One Step at a Time

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Perfect Prague!

We had THE BEST time in Prague! It was absolutely beautiful! Notice in the pictures how high the water under the bridges, due to flooding right before we went. Restaurants and parking lots down by the riverbank were completely underwater. The Charles Bridge, which is a walking bridge, was closed because authorities were concerned about its safety. There were no boats allowed on the Vltava River, which runs through Prague. I would like to go back and see the differences when it is not right after a flood! (Sounds like a good excuse to go back to me!) During World War II, Prague was one of the only large city that was not damaged by bombing. The skyline remains so awesome, with old, wonderful buildings. Old Town Square is fun, with sidewalk restaurants, food booths, bands playing, and gold/silver sprayed “human statues.” It is where we spent lots of down-time! We loved it! The people-watching was great! On the Square, were the Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church, and St. Nicholas Cathedral. The clock has small stained glass window panels at the top. On the hour, the “windows” open and the twelve disciples rotate through the windows. We climbed the clock tower, and got a great view of the Square. The churches are beautiful! The Jewish Quarter is also on the same side of the river as the Square. In that area, there are several synagogues to tour, and the old Jewish cemetery. Notice the picture below of the cemetery. We walked through it, wondering why it was in such disarray. Then we found out! The headstones were turned every which way, tilted, backwards, forwards. During the time the Jews were confined to this area, they were given only this small space for a cemetery. There were so many deaths, that bodies were buried ten deep! Hence, the “disarray” in the cemetery. What a sobering thought to think of the prejudice and injustice that occurred on these cobblestone streets.

The next day we visited the Prague Castle. The castle area is located up on a hill, which has an awesome view of the city. It is not one castle (which is what I pictured before we went), but several buildings, and multiple churches including the beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral. There is also a section that is set up to show the way the street looked in its early years, called Golden Lane. There are model shops from that time: an herb shop, dress maker’s shop, tool shop, model kitchen, bedroom, and living room. Very interesting! We also visited “Lesser Town” that day, which included the Lady of Victory Cathedral. It houses the famous wax Infant Jesus of Prague. This is another beautiful area of Prague!

The third day we climbed up Petrin Hill! It seemed way higher than a hill to me! There is a cable car that you can ride, but because of damage from the flood, it was closed. So, we walked! At the top, is an “eiffel tower” look-alike. You can climb the 300 steps for an amazing view! BUT, we did not! The hill was enough for me! It was an absolutely stunning walk though: trees, flowers, shrubs, GREEN!!! The desert has made us appreciate the green so much more.

We had time to visit two open markets, and spent time just walking down the beautiful cobblestone streets, past the wonderful, old buildings. Prague is a great walking town. The temperatures were in the 60’s, and no rain! Our hotel was small and intimate. Our room was on the fifth floor in the “attic.” The ceiling was sloped, with a rollout window. The view was amazing! It was a perfect holiday of walking, people-watching, and relaxing. When we were planning our trip, and heard about the floods, we considered not going. I am so glad that we did! We took many steps, and God was with us, One Step at a Time!

View from "our" hotel room!

Charles Bridge. river is very high, and running very fast!

Flooded!

One of my favorite pictures, taken from the clock tower.

Old Town Square from the Clock Tower

View of Prague from the Clock Tower

The Astronomical Clock. Notice the "windows" with the disciples!

Trdelniks...a sweet dough cooked on hot coals! My Favorite!

City View take from Prague Castle area

St. Vitus Cathedral

Inside St. Vitus Cathedral

Jewish Cemetery

Beautiful!!! Vltava River!

"Our" hotel!

View from Petrin Hill

Locks on the fence leading to Charles Bridge

Larry on bridge, view of Charles Bridge

Yum!

and Yum!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

LOVELY Rome!

Rome was beautiful ! We had the best time! The "Pope" excitement and the Rome marathon made for a fun adventure! We arrived early on Saturday. We found our hotel; the ruins of the wall that surrounds the city were right outside our window! The fountains, statues, and ruins are absolutely amazing!

That afternoon, we went to Vatican City. We enjoyed the museums. We did not get to tour The Sistine Chapel, but saw so many beautiful things! The grounds were gorgeous! Then, we went over to Saint Peter's Basilica. What a beautiful cathedral! We saw the window where Pope Frances was announced, where the chimney had been on The Sistine Chapel, and the outside of The Pope's apartment. We met some students there who explained all the "ins-and-outs"! It was fun to visit with them, and they spoke English, which was a plus! We then walked back from Vatican City. Everywhere we turned on the amazing cobble-stone streets, we would see a piazza, a statue, or a fountain. Just beautiful!!! Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon were all on our way back!

Sunday morning, we walked to The Coliseum and The Forum. We thought it seemed very busy, and then realized we were on our way to the marathon! Can you imagine running in a marathon through the city of Rome, beginning and ending at The Coliseum? Well, while they ran, we marveled at history! Again, we were moved by the "life" that took place so many years ago in this place! It was amazing!

Monday morning, we went to the market. The fresh fruits and vegetables, oil, wines, pasta, pasta seasonings were all fresh and beautiful!

I'm always asked what was our favorite part of our trips. It is hard to choose! It always goes back to enjoying the people, eating in the local restaurants, and just experiencing the city! As we go and return home, I can always see God's hand in what we have done, and of course His footprint in front of us, One Step at a Time!

A delicious dessert before we entered Vatican City

Pottery in one of the Vatican Museums

Hall of Statues

Jesus and Emmaus Friends. This is a tapestry!

St. Peter's Basilica and Courtyard

Window where Pope Frances was announced.

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Piazza Navona

Trevi Fountain

On the way to the Colosseum. Road is blocked off for the marathon.

Marathon runners!

The Forum

The Colosseum

Inside the Colosseum

View of Rome from the Forum

Olives!

City Market

Isn't this beautiful? It looks like fall!

Our hotel lobby

Street in Rome

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Amazing Athens!

Athens was beautiful, and oozed history! We arrived in Athens on Thursday afternoon. We found our hotel, which was so charming. It was located in the Psiri Area. It is considered the "working class" neighborhood, and was so interesting. We would watch men arriving at their small store fronts, raising the gates, and pulling out their goods, from used books, to hubcaps, to antiques! They would chat, eat breakfast and drink coffee before the customers came.

We went exploring that afternoon, and found The Plaka. This is a charming, cobble-stone street area. It is more touristy, but has shops with EVERYTHING OLIVE...olive wood, olive oil, olive soap! They also have beautiful lace! We found the Parliament, and also many old churches and orange trees! That night, we ate at a charming Greek restaurant! The waitress translated the menu, and it was delicious! the Greek salad and the Greek yogurt were especially tasty! Yum!

The next day we went to the Acropolis Museum, and then The Acropolis. Among the ruins, was The Parthenon. I did not remember that it was the temple built for Athena. Much damage was done, and many statues were taken over the years as armies conquered Greece. It was interesting to see the restoration work that is being done. Columns would have a lighter shade of stone that was the restoration, filling in "missing" parts of the ruin. It is difficult to imagine how all of these ruins were built so many years ago, how the apostle, Paul, walked the same steps, and to imagine all the "life" that has happened there! We LOVED it! The view of Athens was stunning, such a squashed-together city! It was amazing to think how, just as God leads us One Step at a Time, He has led others as well!