Chapter 18 "Bone Church"

About 45 mins outside of Prague is a day trip well worth it (unless skeletons really creep you out.) In a little town called Kutna Hora, there lies an ossuary that is filled with the remains with about 40,000 human skeletons. It is so morbidly fascinating. I was thinking that at first it might be really gross to see, but really it isn't. I found it quite intriguing myself looking to see what choice of bones they used for what ever they were building. Smaller more intricate bones were used for detailing, such as the bones in the hands, and larger more sturdy bones were used in practical purposes.


Here's a little background on why it's there. The ground on which the church stands is considered very sacred ever since the 1200's. This of course, leads to everyone wanting to be buried there. Early on in the 14th century, the black death spread the bubonic plague across Europe killing thousands. Of course, all the living relatives wanted their respective dead buried within the grounds. There were so many people requesting a burial, that in 1511 a half blind monk built the ossuary. The monk then was given help from an artist who helped compose the bones into lovely sculptures and artistry within the church. The monk soon passed and the artist finished his work. What is left is absolutely breath taking. A must see for anyone ever in the Czech Republic.

Chapter 17 "A Two-four and 2 pizzas for $3!"

You just can't go wrong in a city where a two-four of beer and 2 pizzas cost you $3. That gorgeous and affordable city is named Prague. An quick and easy train ride from such a metropolis as Berlin, Prague is definately a city no one should miss on their travels across Europe. Even as a trip in itself, it is worth it. Prague has much of what the young and old, quiet and loud could enjoy. From the stunningly beautiful Prague castle and night time stroll along the Charles bridge to the dirt cheap food and beer, not to mention, the always enjoyable, bike rental.

First off, Prague, along with much of eastern Europe, has phenomenal architecture. It has beauty on its streets during the day, and dark mysteries line the maze like alleyways at night. Many churches loom overhead as you walk the cobblestone streets, my favorite being the "Klementinum and sv Kliment" or St. Clement Church in English. There is a Jewish section where countless synagogs replace the churches amongst cobblestone streets.

The most beautiful of the historical architecture has got to be the castle. Sitting atop a hill overlooking the city, it's just simply amazing. Countless spires and detailed columns point north and it's massive. The view is also the best you can get overlooking the entire city. A very beautiful look at the orange roofed houses amid the natural greenery. Take a walk along St.Charles bridge (Karluv most) on your way to the castle to where you can see where St. Jan Nepomucky was thrown over the side because he withheld the queens extramarital secrets from her husband, King Wenceslas the 4th. With a 60% divorce rate today, thank god they changed their ways.


Next, is a personal favorite past time of mine. Riding bikes, drinking beers! Drinking beers, riding bikes! Awesome way to see the city. For about 10 cents, you can get a pint and another $8 with get you a bike for the day. Thats it. Just ride amongst the history, old town square, St. Nicholas cathedral and even the new town, while enjoying some of the best (and most definately cheapest) beer in all of Europe. You can get off the beaten path and work your way amongst the labyrinth of streets and alleyways to really see the city.

Lastly, and it has to gather a mention, is the price. The cost of things in Prague alone is amazing. Though not on the euro, still on the Krone (http://www.xe.com/ for conversion rates) it's mind blowing how much things DON'T cost here. I'm talking like pennies. It's amazing. I met some people who were there simply to shop! They had come simply to buy the latest line of fashion because it cost so much less when buying so much of it atop the plane ticket. From a guy who hasnt bought any clothes since he stopped growing years ago, this blew my mind. I couldn't believe it, yet I'm sure the people in Prague must enjoy the economy boost that this gives them. However, I can't be so naive to think it's going to them. Most stores I saw were not of Prague decent but rather big company chain stores just offering a cheap exchange on the dollar. Whatever floats your boat I guess. Just remember, you can have a bigger lake, if you just don't make it as deep.

Chapter 16 "All-in-1, 1 Size fits all for only a $1"

Barcelona. The only team to beat mine in the 2006 champions league final. I had to see what it was all about. Barcelona is like an all-in-one gift. One size fits all here as it has everything for anyone. Though like most all-in-one gifts, you don't get the best of any of the one things, but the appeal of having it all at your disposal is the best part of it. Like those wrenches that have all the heads, but any real mechanic uses their own of each. Barcelona has beaches, history, culture, nightlife, a wicked football team (with the 3rd largest stadium in the world, Camp Nou) and gorgeous flamenco dancing women.
First off the beach. The beach is nice, not pebbly but not super sandy. The water however is filthy. As a snorkler, I saw nothing. Not dirty like Lake Ontario dirty, just not clear.
Next you have the nightlife. Incredible yet I still wouldn't say it was the best. Nightlife can run anytime between 10pm all the way until 6am. Nightclubs generally don't get pumping, or some even open until 2am. It's certainly one of the only cities that I saw people lining up to get in when I was leaving at 4:30am.
Finally the culture. Many historical buildings and architecture decorate the city streets. Of course the most famous of all these city streets is Las Ramblas. Not really a historical place, but a huge tourist "trap," I mean attraction. Certainly watch your wallet on this street. It's a huge walkway littered with postcard kiosks, street performers, artists and painters and pet stores. Yep, pet stores. I found this extremely odd watching people buy things like pigeons. Why the hell do you want to own a pigeon, let alone buy an animal off some guy from the street!? I just figured intelligent people would go to a park and catch one. Then again, they are buying a pigeon. I think that says enough.
The Catalonian people are very proud of their culture. They quickly define themselves as different from Spaniards. Not in a demeaning way, but I got the sense in a way a Quebecer might be proud to be french Canadian. A definate thing to do is go watch a flamenco dancer. It's a Spanish band who play traditional music (and as a musician myself, some of the best guitar I've heard) as a very good looking girl does a kind of tap dance / salsa to the lyrics of the song. At this point though I'd like to point out another defining feature. Though hopefully just a fad, their haircuts. Worst in Europe, or possibly the world. How the mullet and bowl cut possibly made it back, I have no clue. Every guy looks like either Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber or some 80's metal fan gone wrong still pissed off twisted sister aren't touring anymore. Every girl looks like either Winnie Cooper from the wonder years or some mullet queen of love. I'd rather do it myself then feel the touch of the mullet queen of love. The haircuts weren't cool then and they still aren't. However I'm sure just as many laughs will be had looking at year book photos 10 years from now.

In closing, Barcelona is definately a city worth visiting. It can offer you anything you want. Although I didn't get a chance to do it due to time constraints, visit Dali's city. A simple day trip that looks well worth it. Admire my favorite artist.

Cheers

Chapter 15 "Venice"

Venice is . . . well different. It's the only city in the world with no roads. Yep, you heard it right. No roads. Their entire transport system is either by walking the narrow paths or by boat. If you decide to walk, bring a map. Along my walk, I happened to find the store where Stanley Kubrick bought all his masks for eyes wide shut. Very interesting to try them on and take pictures.
You may also take a gondola ride around the city as bellows of "when the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie . . ." from all the tourists fill your ears but it will cost you (upwards of 100 euro.) My recommendation would be to try the taxi (5 euro.) Though not as exclusive, you still go the same routes and enjoy the same sites (try vaporetto #82.) It will take you to probably Venices main attraction, the Piazza San Marco. All the main attractions are right there. At night, enjoy a classic Italian opera after a walk along the Grand Canal. To make it short and sweet really, Venice is a beautiful city to see, but it will cost you a fortune.