Prague 10.14.07

Our first long train ride from Berlin to Prague. Not so long actually, only about 4 hours, but a nice break from flying. We whizzed by this station in Germany. I forgot the station name, but this is pretty close to what I had in mind for my competition entry: a large, welcoming, repetitious structure with a luminous canopy. l wish I had this as a precedent earlier. I usually wince at fabric-tecture due to is tendency to just show off it's warping capabilities, but I like this example in particular because it's used in a way to facilitate the larger space, not dominate it.

Mom and Dad, reading my list of sites to study, broke the bank and traveled exactly half way around the world (from Hawaii) to tag along in Prague and Vienna. They actually wanted to test out how bad jetlag could get, but they kept up with us on our hike from Staro Mestske to Prazsky Hrad (Prague Castle), and back. The view of the Castle's outcroping buildings: the terracotta tile roof shapes tell the story of the area's patchwork evolution; Charles Bridge and the old town in the background. With warm and sunny weather and a great view, we topped off a long walk with a round of Pilsner Urquells (water with bubbles for Asti).

Municipal House, with decorations by Art Noveau artist Alphonso Mucha. He did a bay of stained glass at Prague Castle as well. The Mucha musuem revealed his success in Paris and his devotion to his country with the Slav Epic.

Staro Mestske Namesky, Old town city center square. Aside from it's character of perimeter buildings, this square is also memorable for me because of it's large uninform layout, with smaller pockets of openspace allowing for a small grid of trees and shade, restaurants, and....

the collection of lemmings (myself included) on the hour to watch an astronomical clock do what??? (Nobody understands the clock, not even the tour guide on the left with the microphone and speaker strapped to her chest). "yeah but, its cooool."

Deer Moat Passage (tunnel) near Prazsky Hrad. Very nice.

In Prague I got a taste of the passages (Pasaze) that are somewhat hidden in the dense fabric of the Old Town. Some are more straight forward than others, leading into a courtyard lightwell, not far off other tight knit city old towns.

Others, unassuming from the street, twist and lead you into little gems, then perhaps into a nicely kept garden.

The largest set of pasazes are near Vodickova, the most interesting of which is centered around an upside down horse. Sadly, most of these passages have not seen their full potential, usually filled with sub-prime shops and cheap eats. Vienna and Lyon are said to have their own versions of the passages.

Kampa Musuem. The interior of this stair has a kind of M.C. Escher like feel as it dynamically links the two existing buildings with different floor heights. I wish they had made more of an event out of it though.

Fred and Ginger, Ed and Karen.