by Krista | Aug 15, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
My last trip to Europe consisted of grey skies and even greyer cities, so I was unprepared for the colorful display Prague had in store for me when I arrived last week.
It seemed that around every corner I found vivid vignettes of beauty that took me by surprise. The corner below looks right out of Spain or Mexico, but nope, it was a hidden entrance to a monastery that towered above stunning gardens.
Somehow I think the stone and brick of Prague make the bits of color really stand out. Like the gold toppers on these fellows.
I love these beautiful dogs resting in the courtyard of a massive church, so obedient and docile, watching the passersby as they awaited their master. Dogs are adored in the Czech Republic, and can be seen on trams, buses, and the metro. They are very well trained, however, and certain breeds and sizes must wear muzzles when out in public for even greater protection. Never once did I feel nervous.
After much delightful ambling through the market I told you about the other day, we were ravenous!! We wandered down this little street and found the perfect place to rest our bones and fill our bellies.
It was a cozy Czech bar with warm orange walls and glossy wood tables. The sort of place you want to linger in. So we did. 🙂
I was craving hearty Czech food, so I ordered a good, strong beer and what turned out to be a massive platter of local fare: two kinds of dumplings, sauerkraut, red cabbage, roast pork, smoked pork, and spicy pork sausage all slathered with gravy. Delicious!! Needless to say I was well-fortified for the remainder of our trekking that day.
Do you like to try new foods when you’re traveling, or do you like to stick to recognizable food?
by Krista | Aug 12, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
Few things make me happier than wandering a city with no destination in mind.
Prague is the perfect place for such aimless meanderings because it doesn’t matter what street you follow or what corner you turn, there is always something to delight and intrigue.
I love the rich colors on so many of the old hotels and buildings. They make me want to don silk evening gowns and wear ropes of pearls while a jazz piano plays in the lobby.
It’s so lovely to find gorgeous little gardens among the acres of grey cobbled streets and paved sidewalks.
The street cafes look so welcoming with their overflowing flower boxes and cheery red umbrellas. AND they provide perfect opportunities for people-watching.
There’s nothing quite like taking public transportation to make you feel part of a city. I have such fun taking trams, buses, and the metro, seeing parts of town I might never otherwise see. It’s also a great way to observe how the locals dress, shop, and interact with each other.
Perhaps the best part of such wanderings is finding the perfect coffee shop tucked away in a hidden courtyard. We spent a few cozy hours there sipping espresso, sharing Czech Honey Cake and warm apple strudel while we watched passersby, visited and looked at Czech food magazines.
What is your favorite way to explore a city?
by Krista | Aug 11, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
The sun is shining in Prague and it is beautiful!! I’ve been having such a lovely time with my friends – strolling amiably along cobbled streets, visiting for hours in cozy coffee shops, staying up late talking over glasses of Czech wine. It’s been marvelous.
Yesterday we spent a beautiful evening exploring Old Town Prague and found a marvy open-air market. Here are a few photos of what we saw. 🙂
by Krista | Aug 9, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
I have come to love chilly evenings in Amsterdam.
For I know that when my bro and sis-in-law get home from work we will get cozy in our pjs, bring coffees, wine, and nibbles up to the terrace, and snuggle under blankets on the comfy couches set around the outdoor fireplace.
It is truly a happy place for me, one of peaceful reflection, hearty laughter, and the best of memories with people I love to bits.
This weekend we got to share it with dear friends – a couple of jolly British expats living in Amsterdam, folks from Bulgaria and Holland, and an American friend who flew in from Tanzania. It was so wonderful to sit around for hours swapping stories over glasses of Italian wine and German beer, hearing all sorts of marvelous adventures and hilarious tales.
I love this place, these people. And I wish I could bring you all over to join us on these beautiful nights.
And now, dear ones, I must dash and start packing. Tonight I fly to Prague to visit my dear friend Corrie who is in Europe for a few weeks. I can’t wait to hug her tight and talk like mad for the next few days. 🙂
Where is your happy place this week?
by Krista | Aug 8, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
Good morning, luvs! How was your weekend?
We were ecstatic to see glorious sunshine on Sunday afternoon and made the most of it by renting a 12-person boat to float down the canals outside Amsterdam with dear friends.
It was heavenly.
My brother did a splendid job as our captain, steering us through quaint villages and open fields, under tight-squeeze bridges and around hairpin curves.
The rest of us leaned back and soaked up sunshine as we sipped beer and wine, nibbled our way through sausages, crisps and chocolate, and talked up a storm as we let all the stresses of the week melt away.
Over and over we exclaimed: “It looks just like a painting!” as we passed diminutive windmills and hearty cattle seemingly propped against a background of lush green grass and cloud-studded skies.
How I loved this day spent with the dearest folks, eating scrumptious food, and delighting in the myriad beauties of the Dutch countryside.
What is your favorite memory from your weekend?
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