This is a mere fleeting snapshot of Prague, which for me was a city of contrasts. On the one hand, it is truly resplendent in stunning and ornate architecture, with many fascinating quarters that make up the city as a whole. There is a wealth of history, even from recent times, as the Czech Republic became a parliamentary democracy once again in the late eighties after its ‘Velvet Revolution.’ On the other hand, however, of all the places on Earth I have visited thus far, I found Prague to be the most hostile and unfriendly. Let me just say that whenever I visit another country, I am extremely aware that I am a foreign visitor, not least because people seem very wary of brown people on mainland Europe, and am therefore very deliberately humble and deferential. I go out of my way to be friendly and courteous in order to break down preconceptions and invite a friendly reception back. On the whole, this has always worked in every place I have visited. I am willing to believe that the experience I had in Prague is not indicative of the Czech population as a whole, of course, but alas people in the city were hostile and rude to me, despite all my pleasantries. I wish I knew why. That said, while it is highly unlikely that I would return there, I would still recommend it for a visit. In the few days I spent there I did take a huge number of photographs, simply because there were so many beautiful buildings, churches and cathedrals. The Prague Castle complex in particular is a dominant landmark, and St Vitus Cathedral is worth the agonising climb of its 1000 steps to take in the views. Karlovy Vary is a spa town that I visited for a day, and while interesting, the overcast weather made the photographic opportunities rather meagre.
Dec 28, 2013Dec 28, 2013Alpha Whiskey PhotographyThis is a mere fleeting snapshot of Prague, which for me was
a city of contrasts. On the one hand, it is truly resplendent in stunning and
ornate architecture, with many fascinating quarters that make up the city as a
whole. There is a wealth of history, even from recent times, as the Czech
Republic became a parliamentary democracy once again in the late eighties after
its ‘Velvet Revolution.’
On the other hand, however, of all the places on Earth I
have visited thus far, I found Prague to be the most hostile and unfriendly.
Let me just say that whenever I visit another country, I am extremely aware
that I am a foreign visitor, not least because people seem very wary of brown
people on mainland Europe, and am therefore very deliberately humble and
deferential. I go out of my way to be friendly and courteous in order to break
down preconceptions and invite a friendly reception back. On the whole, this
has always worked in every place I have visited. I am willing to believe that
the experience I had in Prague is not indicative of the Czech population as a
whole, of course, but alas people in the city were hostile and rude to me,
despite all my pleasantries. I wish I knew why.
That said, while it is highly unlikely that I would return
there, I would still recommend it for a visit. In the few days I spent there I
did take a huge number of photographs, simply because there were so many
beautiful buildings, churches and cathedrals. The Prague Castle complex in
particular is a dominant landmark, and St Vitus Cathedral is worth the
agonising climb of its 1000 steps to take in the views.
Karlovy Vary is a spa town that I visited for a day, and
while interesting, the overcast weather made the photographic opportunities
rather meagre.
The Prague Castle complex at dusk.
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Prague
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Inside St Vitus Cathedral.
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View from the top of St Vitus Cathedral.
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Astronomical Clock is visible in the bottom right of the image.
The Clock Tower in the Old Town. The famousAstronomical Clock is visible in the bottom right of the image.
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Prague Clock Tower
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The Old Town Square seen from the top of the Clock Tower.
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He's just blown his trumpet at the top of the Clock Tower to signal the hour.
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A jester entertains us at night in the Old Town Square.
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Tyn Church.
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St Nicholas Church in the Little Town (there is another St Nicholas Church in the Old Town).
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Wenceslas Square.
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Loreta Monastery.
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View from Petrin Park.
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View over the Vtlava River from Letna Park at sunset.
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St Nicholas Church In the Little Town at sunset.
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The only real monument to the Velvet Revolution.
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Karlovy Vary.
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The Colonnade at Karlovy Vary.
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home of the Czech Republic's famous tonic.
Paid a visit to the Becherovka Museum in Karlovy Vary,home of the Czech Republic's famous tonic.
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in the world.
Clouded Leopard in Prague Zoo, supposedly one of the best zoosin the world.
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FrankFeb 19, 2014 05:06 AM
Hi there - wonderful photos :) I saw this post via a Ming Thein blog on the Ricoh GR in Prague. Surprised no one has left a comment yet. Some of your photos have a similar look to Ming's. I think it's the lighting rather than the black borders lol :)
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