Saturday, May 24th

I slept in until about 11 and woke up to the sounds of birds chirping and the sun shining through my window. The weather was amazing!

At about 3 David, Stewart, Lynsay, Rich and I took the Metro to Winceslas Square. The square was packed with tourists out enjoying the good weather. The group decided to try to make our way to the Dancing House ( or Fred and Ginger) that Frank Gehry designed, then to try to make our way up to Belvedere, the summer palace.

We started off on foot, thinking that walking would be the best way to get a some good photographs, but were quickly sidetracked when the guys saw a Subway. They actually had a drink machine (with ice!) and some great lighting:

Lynsey at Subway

After the boys ate we continued our journey:

The Street

Woman

We ended up kind of getting lost...we walked about a mile and a half further south than we needed to. But we ended up finding the Charles University Botanic Garden, which was absolutely wonderful.

The Greenhouse

David

Stewart

Rich

Being outside, in the gorgeous weather, and finding a beautiful garden and greenhouse to walk around in really lifted my spirits. I think everyone else felt the same way. I could have stayed in the garden for the rest of the day.

We left the garden and walked south a little farther until we found part of Charles University's campus. I was expecting it to be in some beautiful old building, but it wasn't. The buildings were all being repaired and just seemed really....normal? and kind of disappointing. However, we were the only people on the street - something that hasn't happened yet in Prague. It was nice to not have to worry about being loud and to kind of just goof off with the group.

L-R: David, Rich, Stewart and Lynsey

We backtracked a little and walked through a working class neighborhood and found a tram stop. We were all tired of walking, but still really wanted to see the Dancing House. It was so cool..but closed. I really wanted to see the inside...from the outside you kind of get one view...and thats it. It's still a cool building though. The best part of the building (to me, at least) was the view that you could get over the Vltava River towards Prague Castle.L-R: Stewart, Rich, Lynsey and David at the Dancing House

Stewart really needed to get internet, and we knew the Globe Bookstore was close, so we found it and went in. David said "It should be called the Globe Cafe with some books" - which is basically what it is - more cafe, less books. We all decided that we were starving and we ordered dinner. Which was CRAZY expensive. And my food wasn't that great, but they do have milkshakes...so...yeah.

We never made it to Belvedere. But I will be here for another 5 weeks...which I am starting to become very happy about :)