the irony of it all

Living in Prague has made it very easy to forget to be a tourist. I have this sense that none of the sights are too exciting because I see almost all of them everyday. One day last week, I decided to walk around taking pictures of such landmarks. Every time we go out, to Stare Mesto or anywhere really, we walk by Powder Tower, which used to be the entrance to the city, when there was a wall surrounding the city from outsiders. From various locations, you can still see sections of the old city wall.

The famous sights go on and on. Tyn Cathedral, The Astronomical Clock--Prague Orloj, Sir Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square with the Jan Hus statue, Charles Bridge.

Prague Orloj has its own gory (fictitious) story. Legend has it that the Prague Councillors ordered Jan Ruze--Hanus (the falsely credited clockmaker) to be blinded after construction of Prague Orloj to prevent him from ever creating another, fancier clock somewhere else. The actual history dates the mechanical part of the clock to 1410, created by Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Šindel. The calendar dial and gothic structures were added around 1490; and the figures of the Apostles were added in 1865-1866.

If you want other history lessons, just wikipedia the various sites. It's the new google.

On Friday night, we went to La Boheme at the National Theatre. Definitely the first opera that I have thoroughly enjoyed. It helped immensely that I've seen Rent, and that I knew it had been based (loosely) on La Boheme. Afterwards, we climbed 5 flights of stairs to go to a Latin Club where there were approximately three couples dancing who knew how to Salsa. The rest appeared extremely amateur-esque, which suited me quite well. The DJ also included a fun dose of hip hop and euro pop.

Sunday was spent at Terezin, the former concentration camp that's about an hour outside of Prague. The museum itself hardly compared to the Holocaust Museum in DC, but the experience blew me away. Just being in the space, knowing prisoners had walked and died on that soil, freaked me out. Very valuable experience.

The irony of it all: in all of my time and travels around Ireland, I never saw a rainbow. But in my day trip to the concentration camp, I managed to take a picture of a marvelous rainbow.

Prospects: I have a connection with a THB (trafficking in human beings) organization here in Prague where I'd love to gain experience; I'm communicating with a woman in Slovakia at a Language School, where I could possibly teach.