'Prague' is...

...not a very imaginative title to a post all about a place that truly inspires the imagination. Walking through Prague, with its narrow, winding streets and amazing and varied architecture (from gothic to modern; there's even two buildings that look like they're dancing; locals call them Fred and Ginger), is like walking in a fairy tale.

These pictures should give you some idea.

Above is a nice shot of pretty buildings and narrowing streets. Below are views from either Prague Castle or the top of Staromestske Radnice (the clock tower of old town hall) ...

Cathedrals, churches and castles ...

... Tyn church ...

... the church of St. Nicholas & St Geroge's Basilica ...

... also the church of St. Nicholas.

Views from a cruise boat on the Vltava river of ...

... Prague castle ...

... the National Theatre ...

... and Charles Bridge.

Here are some pictures of Maddie and Isabelle on the boat (I especially like the one where Maddie is pretending to abandon ship):

Maddie liked the Orloj (a 15th century astronomical clock, which not only tells the time, but shows the position of the sun, moon and stars, while its lower dial shows the signs of the Zodiac and the changes of the seasons. It's carved figures also put on a little show at the beginning of each hour).

She was also really into the fountains and preferred dancing in the courtyards of the buildings much more than she enjoyed going inside them.

Charles bridge is lined with statues of Mary, Christ, various saints, etc. Touching certain of these status is considered good luck.

Isabelle just smiled the entire time we were there. She's not a great sleeper, but she is a very happy baby.

And the following is the requisite picture of Maddie following the changing of the guard (we've got a version of this picture in just about every European city we've visited).

We recommend Prague to everyone. While you're there, remember to see the sites listed above, plus:

• Josefov (the Jewish section of Prague, with its amazing synagogues and ancient cemetary).
• St Vitus's Cathedral (it's actually part of Prague castle and it's hard to miss (as it towers over everything else; inside, make sure you see the chapel of St Wenceslas and Alfons Muchas stained glass windows).
• Golden lane (also part of Prague castle; it's the lane in front of the small cottages built into the walls of the castle's northern ramparts).
• Wenceslas square, including the statue of St. Wenceslas on his noble steed and a the beautiful art deco Hotel Evropa.
• Browsing the many narrow streets for souvenirs, including Czech crystal.
• The Obecni dum (beautiful art nouveau building).
• Etc. etc. etc.

My First Celebrity Sighting

Well, it's Ally. Surprise!

There are a dozen celebrities that live relatively close to us, but until today, I hadn't seen any of them in person. Today, I saw Paul McCartney in front of Panzer's! I know it's silly, but I was so excited that I had to call Luke. He asked if I got his autograph. I told him I didn't want to be rude - he was on his mobile! Then, I stopped by Starbucks to tell Lindsey who was meeting friends. She told me that the one time she saw him, she followed him home. He was headed the wrong direction to be going home. However, I wish I would have followed him just to see if he really was going to Richoux for a croissant! And after that, I had to call Shelley. It was big news for me! Sorry I don't have a picture. I'll have to start carrying a camera if I'm going to make a habit of running into celebrities!

Oh, and Isabelle missed it all. She was asleep in the pushchair. I'll have to wake her up next time!

Now, I was really hesitant to post my news. I love that our family blog is Luke's project. I have this fear that once I post something on the blog, it will become my project. So, I guess we'll have to wait and see...

We're headed to Prague tomorrow. I'm sure Luke (Can you see me smiling?) will post some pictures from our trip, next week. We love you!

Finally...

...Grandma Cokie met Isabelle.

We had a fun week with Grandma Cokie. We:

• Played at "pirate" parks and visited secret gardens.
• Shopped on Marylebone and on St. Johns Wood high streets and in Covent Garden.
• Read lots of story books, both at home and at Maddie's school (Grandma Cokie and daddy were the Mystery Readers).
• Ate school lunch with Maddie (Grandma Cokie, Ally and Isabelle).
• Visited Westminster Abbey.
• Went to see Lion King.
• Spent lots of money in restaurants and in souvenir shops (although not as much money in the souvenir shops as daddy expected Grandma Cokie to spend).
• Most importantly, Maddie and Isabelle got to spend lots of time with their grandma, for which we are grateful.

We love you Grandma Cokie. Come again soon (bring Papa Scott next time).

Here some pictures from the last couple of weeks:

Socrates: To Do Is to Be

The title is just a little food for thought as you peruse this week's posting, which relates to all things Athenian.

While we all enjoyed our trip to Athens, I think daddy enjoyed it the most. Athens exceeded his already high expectations.

There are prettier cities in Europe (although the city itself is set in a very pretty location), but none of them have the sites that Athens does, and none of them make you feel quite the way Athens does - like you can somehow still feel the influence of so many of the greatest thinkers, writers (playwrites) and religious figures of antiquity.

Day 1: Took the hotel's shuttle to the city center. Walked through the Plaka (the old quarter below the Acropolis - lots of narrow, winding streets with little shops and restaurants) to the Acropolis.

Climbed to the top of the Acropolis rock, stopping along the way to examine the theatres of Dionysus (where the first plays in history were first performed) and Herodes Atticus, and examined up close the most important monuments in the Western world, including the Parthenon, the Propylaia and the Temple of Athena Nike ("Victory").


(Maddie waiting for the Acropolis to open).

(Maddie wanted to go back to the entrace and do it all over again)

A funny Acropolis story: When we get to the top, the first thing Ally wants to do is take pictures. She says: "Why don't I take a picture of you and the girls in front of THAT." I respond: "By THAT, do you mean the Parthenon?"

After having all sorts of interesting adventures on top of Acropolis rock, we headed down the other side to the Agora (Athen's ancient marketplace), stopping along the way to examine the Areo-pagos rock, where Paul gave his famous "Men of Athens..." speech and where the first Athenians were converted to Christianity. Just below Areo-pagos and just before the Agora, we bought our first overpriced souvenir of the trip - a pink parasol that Maddie just couldn't live without.

As the Greek Orthodox Easter was celebrated during our visit to Athens, we spent the evening of Day 1 participating in a religious festivity where Athenians follow effigies of Christ on flower-covered biers in a candlelit procession through the city streets. It was a great experience, and the Orthodox church where the procession began was beautiful.

Day 2: Took a day cruise on the Aegean sea to visit three small islands. I think we all liked the island of Hydra the best (small, quaint, no cars and lots of good quality souvenir shops).

Day 3: Easter Sunday. Hiked to the top of Filopappou Hill to see the monument and the view over Athens. Toured the sites in the park that surrounds the hill, including Socrates' prision and the Pnyx (the location of Athens first democratic congress - also known as the birthplace of democracy).

Partook of the hotel's Easter buffet and sampled all the yummy Greek food. Spend the afternoon/evening in the hotel's rooftop pool, which has an amazing view of the city sites, including the Aegean sea and the Acropolis.

Day 4: Toured the Roman Forum (the ancient Roman marketplace, which replaced the Agora), including the Tower of the Winds and the Vespasianae (i.e. the ruins of a 68-seat public latrine - a must see for Ally, it was probably her favourite site in all of Athens). Ate lunch at McDonalds (have to do it at least once in every city we visit) and walked to Parliment to see the changing of the guard. Then, walked over to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and then returned to the Plaka for a little more shopping and dinner.

Conclusion: Athens was amazing - someplace everyone should visit at least once.