Happy Birthday, Zelda!
Confessions: I love small boutique hotels … I love hotels that have breakfast included … I love having someone make up my bed everyday (other than me) … I love exploring narrow streets and small shops … I love people watching while sitting at a sidewalk café ... I love not needing to be anywhere at a given time!
Today was near perfect.
Stopped by Zelda’s room to wish her Happy Birthday and head up together for breakfast at the Fred & Ginger Restaurant. A gorgeous morning, we sat on the 5th floor terrace overlooking the Vltava River eating fresh baked pastries, eggs, bacon, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Though we’ve been traveling together almost two-weeks, there has been little time spent alone together. This morning with Tejomaya still sleeping and Juli off to meet Konstantin at the bus station, it was a perfect time to catch up ...
Stopped by Zelda’s room to wish her Happy Birthday and head up together for breakfast at the Fred & Ginger Restaurant. A gorgeous morning, we sat on the 5th floor terrace overlooking the Vltava River eating fresh baked pastries, eggs, bacon, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Though we’ve been traveling together almost two-weeks, there has been little time spent alone together. This morning with Tejomaya still sleeping and Juli off to meet Konstantin at the bus station, it was a perfect time to catch up ...
Still sitting on the terrace by the time Tejomaya, Juli and Konstantin arrived, we made plans for the day ... stop at a couple of boutiques before lunch together at Café Louvre — yes, it was so good yesterday we wanted to go back — do our own thing in the the afternoon, and meet in Juli’s room at 5PM to get dressed up and “glamorous” for Zelda’s birthday dinner at Manu — an Italian seafood restaurant — which is on the opposite side of the Vltava River from our hotel and my gift to her.
Question is, will I ever wear it or is it a frivolous purchase? Time will tell . . . Peckish, we beeline through back streets to Café Louvre (Narodni 116/20), passing by wonderful architectural buildings — some with whimsical sculpture embellishments and colorful graffiti art. At the restaurant, I ordered the incredible vegetable pancakes served with sour cream — it is one of my favorite new foods!
Satiated, we walk a few doors down before getting pulled into a shoe store advertising a sale . . . there are some screaming deals on Pikolino boots, but it is way too hot and humid for me to even think about trying a pair on. Zelda goes for it and purchases a pair of stylish above the ankle boots and dress sandals — birthday presents to herself. Across the street is Pietro Filipi, another designer boutique with two floors of beautifully made clothes. Here, I purchased a top and a long, pale blush sweater coat.
Shopped out, I split from our group and headed towards a small park near Our Lady of the Snows Church and Wenceslas Square in search of young designer fashion stalls. I found only one interesting tiny leather shop. Heading towards the Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock, I weaved in and out of small streets that lured me with interesting architecture and shops. I poked my head into a jewelry store with stunning amber jewelry, a chandelier store with large crystal chandeliers and sconces — some gorgeous and others incredibly gaudy ... even for my taste! Walked past the Estates Theatre and found, without looking for, an incredible high-end haute couture designer boutique — Blanka Matragi — at 110 00 Prague 1-Old Town. Trained as a glass artist, sculptor and fine artist, she has designed gowns for Jennifer Lopez and many other celebrities worldwide, as well as ready to wear, rugs.
Hot and thirsty, but literally with no Czech karuna in my wallet, I began looking for money exchange shops. Most in this area offering terrible exchange rates, but I did find one with better rates, and funnily near the Old Town Square. Having found my way to the Old Town Square, a lovely sidewalk café beckoned me with an ice cream sundae with warm raspberry sauce and whipped cream along with a bottle of cold water. Here, across from Tyn Church, I people watched and answered emails until I felt sugar and water revived.
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK
Stopping to admire the 600-year old Astronomical Clock, which sadly was shrouded behind a transparent blue construction material and scaffolding due to maintenance, I read about one origin legend says that an experienced clock master, now as Hanus, was selected by the city councilors of Prague to produce an original device that would measure time as well as a few other functionalities. Fearful, that Hanus might produce a similar-looking clock for a rival city, one night they sent some thugs to break into his more to blind him with a chunk of iron. Knowing who was behind the dastardly deed, Hans took revenge, with help from his apprentice, and made the clock stop. More than 100 years passed before the clock was brought back to life.
In actuality, information about the clock was discovered in 1961. Its creator was Imperial clock-producer Mikulás of Kadan. He created the Astronomical Clock in 1410 with the help of Jan Sindel, an astronomer and university professor. During it’s history, the clock has failed a few times and needed to undergo maintenance. Officials even considered replacing it during the late 18th century when no one knew how to fix it. The long needed repair came decades later, around 1865, when the Calendar Dial was added. The Prague Astronomical Clock is one of the most famous clocks in the world, the third-oldest of its kind, and the oldest one still in use.
In actuality, information about the clock was discovered in 1961. Its creator was Imperial clock-producer Mikulás of Kadan. He created the Astronomical Clock in 1410 with the help of Jan Sindel, an astronomer and university professor. During it’s history, the clock has failed a few times and needed to undergo maintenance. Officials even considered replacing it during the late 18th century when no one knew how to fix it. The long needed repair came decades later, around 1865, when the Calendar Dial was added. The Prague Astronomical Clock is one of the most famous clocks in the world, the third-oldest of its kind, and the oldest one still in use.
Generally, a few minutes before the hour scores of people gather in the square to witness the procession of the 12 apostles on the lower dial as, simultaneously, some of the surrounding sculptures are set in motion. One of the moving sculptures holds an hourglass personifying Death; another has a mirror that represents Vanity. Other stationary figures represent the Astronomer, Philosopher, Chronicler.
The Astronomical Dial is most likely the oldest clock component and one of the reasons the Prague clock is unique. It illustrates how people of the medieval era observed the universe. The Earth is represented in the center. The bits of blue on the dial represent the skies above the horizon, and the brownish bits depict the skies below the horizon. Inscribed Latin letters indicate which side is East and which is West; North and South are described by denotations for “above” and “below” the horizon, and marked with Latin words for “dawn” and “twilight,” respectively. The circle of zodiac symbols represent the start above, while the clock hands point to the symbols of our closes stellar bodies — the sun and the moon. |
The three sets of dials count three different time — Italian time or what would be Old Czech time; Central European Time measured by the sun pointer (1 to 24); and Babylonian Time, where the hour’s length is determined by which season of the year it is (a longer hour in summer; shorter in winter).
The Calendar Dial has fewer functionalities. At its center is the symbol of the Old Town of Prague. The golden medallions depict each month as represented by a zodiac sign. The next ring of medallions illustrates each of the 12 apostles, and its outer ring describes each day all year round.
Time, literally running out before I need to be at the hotel for Zelda’s pre-birthday party glam-fest, I wander the backstreets to the Dancing House. Not waking further than a few hundred feet from the Astronomical Clock, I find myself drawn into Golden Crown Jewelry (457/13 Staré Mesto), where I purchased a lovely black and yellow amber with red coral necklace.
Back at Dancing House, things got confusing about when to meet to dress and put makeup on for the evening. Champagne glasses in hand, we sang “Happy Birthday” and watched as Zelda opened her gifts.
After Face-Timing with Zelda's husband on the phone, we walked across the Jiraskuv Bridge to Manu Resto & Lounge, an Italian restaurant on the river specializing in seafood, for Zelda’s birthday dinner. The food and drinks exceeded all of our expectations, finicky eaters that they are! Humorously, while we were eating our fabulous meal, Zelda's husband sent us the pitiful meal he was contemplating ... ! |
Full from dinner and tired from walking many miles in the heat, we made our way back across the bridge to our hotel and bed!