Saturday, May 25, 2013

Pretending to Be Belle

     My favorite Disney princess is Belle. I fell in love with "Beauty and the Beast" when I was eight and ever since then I have coveted the library the Beast gave to Belle. (I really, really want that library.) So, when I was told that there was a library in Prague that was as pretty as Belle's library (I was originally told that it WAS Belle's library--but a library in Paris and one in Vienna also claim this), I knew that one day I would have to go. That day was today. Even though it was cool and rainy, I ventured up to the Strahov Monastery to see their pretty libraries. And they are BEAUTIFUL! In fact, they're so pretty that I really just want to move in the monastery so they can be mine....somehow, I don't think they'd let me.

Beautiful Prague



I want this library!







Do you think they'd notice if I moved in?


      On my way back home, I decided to wander down the hill toward Charles Bridge. As I was crossing the bridge I mad a spur of the moment decision to climb the bridge tower. What I like about Prague is that many tourist places give a discount if you have an Open Card--the public transportation pass we can get so we don't have to keep buying tickets. By the time I climbed the tower, the sun had come out and it was turning into a beautiful afternoon. And I'm sure, Belle would have approved my adventure. :)

I love this band!









 

Saturday, May 11, 2013

When I'm Proud to be an American--The Plzen Liberation Festival

Every May, the city of Plzen holds a Liberation Festival to commemorate the U.S. army led by General George Patton freeing their city of Nazi control in May of 1945. It was crazy seeing so many American flags all over the place!

U.S. and Czech Flags Side by Side


The Cathedral in Plzen

View from the top of the church tower

It's the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic.

One of the tanks during the Liberation Festival Parade
These are people in period costume dressed up like the soldiers who liberated the city
 
One of the important people in the parade--wasn't sure exactly who he was, though...


Another tank!

"Soldiers"

British, U.S., Czech, and German flags

BEST JEEP EVER! (And good advice, as well ;P)

A military camp set up like in 1945.



Something tells me this sign wasn't written by a Native English speaker.

Tanks were originally called "Land Ships." During WWI, the British disguised tanks in big crates labeled "Water Tanks," and after that, they began calling them tanks.

Because it wouldn't American without the Coca-Cola

U.S. Flag