Graduation Trip Day 3: Karlstejn Castle & Prague, Czech Republic

Once we got back to our car (again, in time for the meter), we left for another castle. This one is called Karlstejn Castle.  It was the cool, old, real life castle—not ones that were built 200 years ago. First we had to get up to the top of the hill it was situated on. We had been in the sun all day, my feet hurt, and it was so hot, I tried not to be miserable for Jeff’s sake. He’s sweet—stopped at a side shop and bought me a slushy and water and got an ice cream cone for himself. We felt much better. The castle had little battlements and a wax museum with old clothes and things. It was cool.

On our 1-2 mile walk up to the castle. 

front door

We went back to Prague (jealous of all the people we saw on the way back swimming in the river), and went to our new hotel, good thing because Jeff hated that other Old Time hotel so badly:) This one was a lot nicer—1^st floor, A.C., away from the street noises, and normal paint on the walls. We took showers to cool and clean off, then we got ready to see more.

Jeff wanted to go get dinner and eat it on the bridge and see the bridges at night. Like I said, we did a ton of walking. I was glad we did, though. We shared a kebab and walked down through the old streets to the bridges.

We walked from our hotel, past the National Museum and down Wenceslas Street. The statue below sits in the middle of the square. 

Josie and her Kabab

We took pictures from a different view on a different bridge and were jealous of the people rowing on boats in the water (because they weren’t on their feet and could cool off).

On our way back I noticed nobody was ahead or behind us, so I asked Jeff to carry me. He was happy about that—a little too happy, because he wouldn’t put me down once I saw people again! Jeffy promised to buy me a fruit smoothie—I was craving those like nothin’ else—so that got me happily home for a second time:) We Skyped with the Ryans; Mike and Clarissa are leaving for New York tomorrow.

Overall, today we walked probably close to 10 miles, most of it uphill, and all of it in the scorching sun. We saw everything we wanted to in Prague and even snuck in a castle. When we got back to the hotel we cranked the AC, talked to some family, and zonked out for the night. 

Graduation Trip Day 3: Prague, Czech Republic

July 27, 2013
Jeff's comments are in red
Josie's are in black

(Click on any underlined link to learn more)

We had a yummy breakfast at the hotel and drove across town to find a place to park for the day. There were tons of things to see as we drove, and it took us forever to find a spot close enough. There was a giant metronome (biggest in the world) that took the place of Stalin's giant statue during the communist days; there is a building called the dancing house--it is dedicated to Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers and their dance skills. The wavy part could be representative of a girl figure, I suppose. I couldn't see any similarities, but hey--that's what it's called and what it's all about.

Our goal for the day was to see as much as humanly possible in Prague in one day. It was VERY hot this day, but we were undeterred in our efforts. We started off trying to find a place to park in the heart of the city. We weaved through the cobblestone streets and followed cars, trains, and even horse carriages. Finally we found a spot, paid for parking, and were on our way to Old Town Square.  

To get to Old Town Square, we had to cross the Charles Bridge. It is strictly a pedestrian bridge and is over 400 years old. 

Here we are on Charles Bridge with the Prague Castle and cathedral in the background.

Water wheel on the Vltava River next to the bridge

This is called the Powder Gate of Powder Tower because they used to store gun powder here in the 1600's. It separates the Old Town and the New Town.

As we walked under the tower opening, I noticed that there was a door open and people walked into it. I grabbed Josie and walked into the doorway. It let up a winding square staircase up to the top of the tower. I took this picture near the top.


If you look in the water to the right, those wooden structures coming out of the water break up ice chunks to protect the bridge. I thought it was pretty interesting.


After we went under the Powder Tower and into "Old Town," our next stop was the Old Town Square  to see the Astronomical clock. To get to the square, you walk through little streets and alleys (mainly just follow the crowds) until you find your way. This was our first view of Old Town Square.

As we walked into Old Town Square, it was almost 1 PM. So we waited 10 minutes with a large and waited to see the Astronomical clock go off on the hour. As it turned 1, the two doors on top open and the 12 Apostles rotate around. The little skeleton on the right pulls a string attached to a bell, and other little movements happen. Click on the link to read about how detailed this clock really is.

Built in 1410 and still tickin'

After we watched the clock go off, we walked around the square for a little, watched some street performers, and headed back through the maze of streets to Charles Bridge. 

We made it back to our car just in time to put more money in the parking meter and then we started walking up the hill to see Prague Castle.

Supposedly, Prague Castle is the biggest in the world, it is a huge complex of buildings with a gargantuan cathedral in the middle (not exactly a prototypical castle).  

                                                    The entrance to Prague Castle.

Disappointed? Well, this Palace is one of the biggest in the world because of all its sections. You go through the main gate (with statues of guys beating each other up) and under an arch—on the other side is a monstrous cathedral. There were gardens and other buildings inside it, too. Jeff said that inside the cathedral looks like the Mines of Moria from the Fellowship of the Ring. It did, it was so tall and had pillars.

There was a pretty good panorama view of the whole city of Prague.

After we walked through the cathedral, we then hiked to the Strahov Library. I had seen pictures of it online while researching Prague and thought that Josie would probably like to see it. We walked and walked in the heat (Josie in sandals) and finally made it. 

A small portion of the walk up to the library. Jeff is almost at the top in a black shirt.

A cool staircase during our walk.

The library is hundreds of years old and has two different "halls," the philosophical hall and the theological hall which together house over 200,000 books. 

The library was beautiful. The banisters have golden patterns, and there was a ton of books. The ceilings were painted, and the floor had patterns. It was like Beauty and the Beast when he gives her the library. Except not really, because there was no music and it was not as huge and did not have as many shelves or books…and it wasn’t mine.

This is half of the library, the other half down the hall has just as many books. Over 200,000 in all

Also in that part was a mini museum that had a narwhal horn, elephant trunks, armor, and there were books made of wood—they were made out of the bark of the same tree the book was about—and inside were its leaves, twigs, bugs that eat it, etc.; kind of odd, but very cool. Then they had a display of incredibly old books and another library with five or six huge globes! We couldn't sneak pictures.

Graduation Trip Day 2: Freiberg, Germany

July 26, 2013

The next morning we were supposed to head for the Freiberg Temple in Germany. I still had tests to take, though. The Internet hadn't been working well enough to let me do that, but Jeff figured out that we could get Internet downstairs. I finished what I needed to and we left on the 3 hour drive from Prague to the temple in Germany.

            On the way down there a guy kept flashing us so Jeff pulled over, thinking he was some kind of cop or was trying to warn us about something. No. It was some Indian guy asking us to “help me, boss.” (We've heard that phrase a few times since). He wanted petrol for his car but couldn’t get it…? He just put a business card and his gold ring into Jeff’s hands and told us he would pay us back later. I took the ring and gave it back to him and said “we’re late, we have to go.” (We really did.) and he shrugged and left us alone. A few minutes back on the road another guy was flashing for us to pull over, but we didn’t.

Once we crossed the border into Germany, the freeway turned into the autobahn. We were in a hurry and so I followed the Merzedes, Audis, BMW's, and Volkswagons into the left lane and took off. We were in a hurry (even in Germany it seems that we are always in a hurry on our way to the temple) and without the autobahn we wouldn't have made the session in time.

We finally got to the Temple—I was feeling so nervous and sad that we wouldn’t make it. Right when we walked in, I was ready to rush past after they gave me back my recommend so I could get dressed in time. No, the Temple workers were so calm and quiet and friendly asking us questions and things. They finally got me into the right spirit. When I walked over to the room, I saw Bro. and Sis. Szabadkai (Zuh-bahd-kye) at the doorway. That was an awesome feeling. She hugged me and they were both so glad we made it. I sat down and cried. I love the Temple so much.

We didn't bring our temple clothes with us from America and so we had to rent them. I also had to rent a white shirt because in the hustle and bustle I forgot to wash mine before we left. 

While the senior sister missionary was helping us rent clothes, I looked down and saw the price chart and realized that I didn't have enough money. It was 10 EURO ($13) for Josie and 12.50 EURO (+/- $16) for me. I knew that I only had 20 EUR in my wallet and I told the sister, "We don't have enough money." I showed her the 20 EUR and she said, "Oh that's close enough, I'll rent the white shirt for free so the total will be 20 EUR." I was surprised at how expensive it was, but grateful that we had "enough" and that she was nice enough to help us out.

We had headphones for the session with the english translation and it was beat for beat with the Hungarian audio.

Freiberg, Germany LDS Temple

Afterward, the Szabadkai’s invited us to eat with them. The Hungarian meals were a little different, but it was fun to try new things. Adrienne kept telling us, “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it.” We talked and ate chocolate, and she felt so bad about almost giving away the surprise earlier. At church the week before, I asked if she was excited to go on their yearly Temple trip. She said, “Oh, my husband said you and Jeff were going to be there on Friday.” Did that phase me or make me question anything? Not at all. I figured she was talking about our first trip—we had meant to go to the Temple then. So I asked Jeff, “Do you know why she would think we were going to the Temple?” He said, “I have no idea. I wish we could!” She kept saying, “Oh. I wonder why my husband said that.” It never crossed my mind a second time. She kept laughing over that, she felt so bad! Jeff said he just felt bad he had to lie to her face:) He emailed her later and told her sorry, then Bro. Szabadkai emailed back and apologized for not telling his wife that it was a secret.

Different groups come and go every week or so to work in the church. In order to make it more convenient for everyone, the grounds have a building with rooms and kitchens for the families to live in as they work at the Temple. A tunnel connects it to the Temple. These guys had been there a week. They usually do it once a year because it's a 10 hour drive from where they live.

Brother and Sister Szabadkai walking with me--they're awesome. Such a good couple.
They met missionaries 20 years ago. Brother Szabadkai was our Branch President when we first got here,
and translated for the Dome company for awhile.

After we ate, we walked around a little square and park in Freiberg.

Lutza is in the red--the Szabadkai's 21 year old daughter.

That is Leah, their 11 year old daughter

We talked about Hungarian things we could buy for our family, what our dad’s and families did, how pretty Germany was, etc.

Jeff loves these spinny candle things--wants to make one

At the park Jeff started throwing rocks in the pond--of course--and Leah started to do that, too. When Leah threw the rock, her bracelet went with it! We were all laughing so hard and she was laughing and crying at the same time. Probably because it was so funny, but still sad and I’m sure she was a little embarrassed:) She’s so cute—about Kallie’s age. I hope we remember to buy her a bracelet before we leave. We also Skyped the Ryan’s in front of the Temple.

The cornerstone of the Temple, Jeff's white shirt was dirty

We got back to the hotel and I still couldn’t get the Internet to work well enough to send anything. I just had to get this stuff done so it was off my chest and could have fun on the trip without worrying. Jeff fell asleep while I worked. I finally woke Jeff up at 2 or 3 a.m. and asked him to help me because the Internet always seems to work for him when it won’t for me. Once he was up, I kind of broke down and just started crying, saying that I wasn’t going to get an A even though I had all the stuff done and I had worked so hard at it. He told me to not worry--that he would fix it. So he went downstairs, and did. He stayed up with me while I did a few more little things. Gotta love smart, helpful, reassuring husbands that sit up all night with you as you finish your classes to make sure everything works for you. We finally got to bed around 3:30-4 a.m. I went to bed assured that I was a hardworking "A" student.

Here is Josie at 3:45 AM after just turning in her last college assignment.