After a coffee, I struck out across the Charles Bridge to check out Staré Město and Nové Město before the crowds emerged. I was able to take some pictures of the statues and views from the bridge, including Prague Castle up on the hill.

After passing through the Powder Gate I meandered through the narrow streets, filled with kitschy tourist shops and mediocre restaurants, including several Starbucks (of course). I soon found myself on Václavské Námesty (Wenceslas Square) where I stepped into a charming coffee shop, Paul, established in 1889, for a flat white and a tiny pastry. As I made my way east to the equestrian statue of St Wenceslas and the Museum, I eyed a discreet monument to Jan Palach and Jan Zajic, two Czech students who immolated themselves in an act of protest against the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact invasion in August 1968 which ended the liberalizing Prague Spring.

Next I made my way to Wilsonova St., where the main train station is located across from a statue of Wilson, who seems more serene here than at home.

I’m a fan of European sidewalks, which are a welcome relief from the brutalist reinforced concrete that is universal in the US.

It was time to head back to the Airbnb so I headed west through Old Town as the crowds began to build. I noted a few interesting restaurants on side streets which I photographed for possible dinner choices.

The St Nicholas Cathedral, erected in the 14th c., is also known as the Hussite Church, which is pretty ornate for a Protestant church since it was formerly a Catholic cathedral.

I may try to attend one of the Baroque music concerts while I’m here.

The number of historic churches and palaces in Prague can become mind-numbing, but this morning’s walk-about covers the highlights. With the crowds surging, it was time to make my escape from Staré Město after logging five miles on my morning walk.

In the early afternoon I decided to journey out to Lidice by metro and then a 20 minute bus ride into the Bohemian countryside. I’d visited it in early October 2001 and wanted to see if any changes had been made. I’ll describe the visit in a separate post.

When I returned to Prague I walked back into Nové Město to try out Vinograf, a cool wine bar that I’d passed earlier. I tried some of their wines and had two appetizers which were delicious. I then headed back to my Airbnb to hang out for the evening. I may travel to Brno tomorrow by train to see a little bit of Moravia. I clocked 11 miles today.