We had planned a trip to the Czech Republic with friends the Lindsay's and the Yost's. Lindsay's head up the Welfare dept. of the Europe area of the church and the Yost's are over all mission presidents in the Europe Area. We love these friends and consider them such dear friends.
The Yost's were the mission Presidents in Prague 7 years ago so they knew the area well and were our tour guides. Czech Republic is a landlocked country with Germany on the West, Austria on the South, Slovakia to the East, and Poland to the Northeast. It is a welfare state with a European Social model. Meaning, the government pays for healthcare and tuition free university educations. It is one of the most "non-religious" countries in the world. When the communist regime collapsed and market economy was introduced in 1993 Czechoslovakia was peacefully dissolved and the constituent states became the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004. For 41 years Czechoslovakia was a communist state within the Eastern Bloc.
The architecture was just stunning in Prague.
This building on the right was a beautiful Jewish home that was taken from the family during the war and the family (to this day!) are still trying to reclaim it!
Elder Yost telling us a story at lunch
St. Vitus Catholic Cathedral, just beautiful - Tony climbed the tower-spiral stairs all the way to the top.......dizzy! The cathedral is a great example of Gothic Architecture and is the largest and most important church in the country. It is owned by the Czech government and is part of the Prague Castle complex and houses tombs of many Bohemian Kings and Holy Roman Emperors. Although most people in the Czech Republic are today Atheists, this was once a very prominent Catholic Country.
Marching to the state building for the changing of the guards
Look at this guy in the square! So clever! There are a lot of people doing all kinds of strange things to have people donate money for their living expenses - this is their job. We have seen this type of thing all over Europe. They usually set up to play instruments or dress oddly, or sing songs but this was the most imaginative we've seen.
We parked in a parking lot that we did not know was private and had a "boot" put on the van. It was a $4000 crowns penalty (about $200 dollars) but they lowered the charge to $50....this is Elder Yost and Elder Lindsay paying the charge (you are required to pay right then and there!) They could have charged us any amount and we would have to pay them. We were lucky.
Look at the trees and how beautiful it is!
Tony in the town of Karlstejn ..... language is really different! Pronounced Karlstein. Beautiful little town with a beautiful castle but we did not go inside. We had lunch and planned on leaving until we realized we had a "boot" on our car for not parking in a legal place......who knew!
Susie Yost trying to get the peacock to raise it's beautiful feathers....
Wonderful lunch with Marlene Lindsay and Susie Yost
Lindsay's, and Yost's and myself in middle
Lindsay's, Yosts, and Tony (notice how Tony and Fred are both on their toes!)
The Subway system in all of Europe are just amazing
These statues are a Memorial to the Victims of Communism. The depict the decline of man under communism. This is the work of Czech sculptor Olbram Zoubek. It shows the bronzed figures descending a flight of stairs. The statues appear more decayed the further away they are from you - losing limbs and their bodies breaking open. When you reach the top, all that is left is 1/2 of a foot. Very moving.
We were there for the changing of the guard.
These guys don't move an inch!
Government Palace - changing of the guard.
Tony and I always looking for a laugh
Czech Money $1000 = $100
Czech Republic is beautiful.....it was really chilly for June, sweater weather or light jacket
We were stopped by these two young woman who recognized our missionary badges they were traveling thru Prague, they are decorators for the LDS Temples. They are working on the Frankfurt Temple which is being renovated. They choose all the furniture and lighting....what a cool job! They ended up spending about 45 minutes with us. One is from Washington DC and the other is from Idaho.
We went down this little street called Golden Lane in Prague with really little homes that are now little shops. This gives us an idea of how people lived during the medieval period. These homes were built at the end of the 15th century. The emperor Rudolf II wanted his marksmen to live close by so he let them build these small homes for them and their families. They are made of stone, mud and wood. After 1657 marksmen were not needed any longer and more people of other occupations came to live there. One of the famous inhabitants of this street was a famous writer Kranz Kafka in house #22 or a prophetess Madame de Thebes, who was killed by the Gestapo in the war because she foretold the end of Nazism.
A window in one of the little shops - and of course, everything is blue....which I love.
A door to no where..............
As we were walking we noticed a couple eating dinner on their (porch), roof. It looks like it may be a restaurant but this was the only table.
Just strolling....Marlene Lindsay and Susie Yost with Tony, Fred and Jim behind them
The Charles Bridge is a historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV and finished in the beginning of the 15th century.
Jim Lindsay has a wonderful hobby.....photography - and everywhere we go together you can find him taking all kinds of shots. These two are two special friends we've been close to while we have been here in Frankfurt.
The Yost's have quickly become dear friends. They lived in Prague 7 years ago for three years as they watched over the young missionaries so far from home. They were fantastic tour guides!
I just loved this blue and yellow apartment building.....and Marlene Lindsay just happen to be walking by as I shot this photo.
The square was very crowded
We have gotten used to traveling everywhere by train.
Each city we visit always has a horse and buggy ride
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