Flat Stanley's Visit

A Walk Around Prague

With Flat Stanley

When I went home this winter, my oldest niece sent me back to Prague with an assignment. Her class had read a book titled Flat Stanley about a boy who dreams of a California vacation. However, his family does not have the money to pay for a flight. One morning, Flat Stanley's bulletin board falls on him and he is smushed to a quarter inch thick. Now, his mother is able to mail Flat Stanley to many different, exciting locations across the world. 

My job was to take pictures of Flat Stanley with me around Prague to send back to my niece's class. I was so excited to take on the assignment and be able to show my niece the amazing places around Prague. I thought this adorable idea was worth a share with our readers as well. :)

Charles Bridge

 To start the day, Flat Stanley and I took a visit to the Charles Bridge. This is one of the top sites in Prague. The Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge in Prague with construction beginning in 1357. It allowed for the city to grow and thrive throughout history and was vital for early commerce. 

Prague Castle

 The second stop was the view of the Prague Castle from the Charles Bridge. The history of the castle goes back to 870 and is still in use today. It functions as the seat of the Czech government and is where they keep the crown jewels. The Prague Castle was built in the Gothic style and is one of the largest castles in the world. 

Vlatava River

 On our walk across the bridge, Flat Stanley decided he wanted to go for a swim in the Vltava River. This river runs right through the center of Prague and is the longest river in the Czech Republic. The river has allowed the city to be a major trading post throughout its extensive history.  

Graffiti in Prague

We found this graffiti inspired advertisement for a party that had come and gone. However, we took the opportunity to teach Flat Stanley how to drive in this appropriately-sized vehicle.

Traditional Czech Meal

 We were tempted to stop for a traditional Czech meal of pork knuckle and a beer, but decided to keep adventuring on instead.  

Kafka Statue

 While wandering through the Jewish Quarter we came across this Kafka-inspired statue. Kafka was born to German-speaking Jewish parents in Prague in 1883 and lived until 1924. He was a modernist existentialist writer and his most famous work is The Metamorphosis. 

Trdelnik

 Our last stop was for trdelnik, a traditional Czech dessert. It is made from dough that is cooked on a spit and then sprinkled with sugar and walnut. 

 I hope that you have enjoyed sharing in Flat Stanley's adventures through Prague. He had a great trip and I am hoping that he is out there exploring many other exciting places!

<3 Amy

Prague, An Introduction.

Prague, An Introduction.

Charles Bridge (Karlův most) and the Prague Castle (Pražký hrad)

Prague: The Mother of Cities, The City of A Thousand Spires, The Golden City.  For over a thousand years, this city on the Vltava has been home to royalty and artists, to the famous and the infamous, to prosperity and peril.  The city is full of monuments to Europe's great and often troubled history.  This city has long been the stomping ground of expatriates and artists who find inspiration in the people and places around them.  In our time here, we have found many things to love. 

Petrin Lookout Tower (Petřínská rozhledna)

  The Petrin Lookout Tower is one of the most famous sites in Prague.  The tower is certainly reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  This tower sits atop Petrin Hill, a large city park.  While the metal structure of the tower itself is shorter than the Eiffel tower, its placement on the hill means that the top of the tower is actually at a higher altitude than the top of Eiffel tower in Paris.  It is often said that the Czechs wanted to make their own Eiffel tower but did not have the funds to build a taller structure which is why they placed it on the hill.  To be fair, this story certainly cannot be corroborated with any legitimate facts other than the height and location.  While one may take a lift to the top, the cheaper and more exciting journey is 299 stairs to the top.  However, if you are not a thrill-seeker, you might want to avoid going on a windy day.    

Žižkov TV Tower

   While places like the Lookout Tower are beautiful and timeless, we sometimes prefer things a bit more offbeat.  Welcome to our view of Prague.  One of our favorite places is the TV tower in the wonderful neighborhood of Žižkov.  Construction began in 1985, in a style popular in the Soviet bloc at the time.  In 2000, the sculptures of Czech artist David Černý were added to the tower.  His juxtaposition of art and socialist structures is something that we particularly enjoy about this city.  Wonder what those things on the tower are, exactly?

Baby Statue, Kampa Island

  That's right.  They are babies.  Giant babies.  Giant babies without a faces.  And we love them.  There are three of these sculptures on Kampa Island.  As you can see from the bronzing from the hands, legs, and back, these babies are really popular to climb on.  

Statue in the courtyard of the Kafka Museum by David Černý

  Nearby, at the Kafka Museum, there is another popular statue by David Černý,  This statue is of, well, two men urinating into a pool in the shape of the Czech Republic.  Because... why not?  As their members move along with their upper-bodies, these men write out, in water, quotations from famous Czech authors.  

  We hope to spend the rest of our time here blogging about these things we love.  And other things we love.    Expect knitting, crafting, thrifting, self-researched tours, cooking, and all of the other lovely things we find along the way.  

-Amy & Colleen