Florida Coalcracker Chronicles: Back in the USSR - Prague - the Capital of the Czech Republic

Monday, July 19, 2021

Back in the USSR - Prague - the Capital of the Czech Republic - Day 22 of 60

Red tile roofs of Prague

The National Museum of the Czech Republic

I would like to say back in the USSR - but we were never here before. We have read so much about life behind the Iron Curtain - we finally have gotten to see it. Prague - spelled Praha here - is a beautiful city of 1.6 million people. Today - it is a member of the European Union - and part fo the free world. But for 40 years - when the world divided up - free or Communist - it was part of the Soviet Union. As a kid in 7th grade in Tamaqua PA - I remember refugees from this area coming to settle in our community to work - live - and play.

My son reminded me that Czechoslovakia was not part of USSR - but was part of the Eastern Bloc of Communist countries. In those days - we painted all communist countries the same. My mistake.

Before World War I - Prague was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia. In the 800s - they built the Prague Castle - which is now the largest in the world. It has over 250,000 square feet of living space. In the 1300s - the Prague Cathedral was built in that castle. Today - much of the government still works in that castle. The president of the Czech Republic lives there. They have done an excellent job of renovation of the place. It is Disney like - which is a compliment.

We are staying in the Grand Hotel Bohemia. That place has a fantastic history. It was built in 1911 - and was high society. It has the most beautiful grand ballroom where girls were brought to "come out." That ballroom is historically re-created. It is completely underground. It has appeared in many movies due to its ornate appearance. Since it is underground - it is excellent for sound recording - super quiet. After World War II - when the Soviet Union took over most of Eastern Europe - this hotel was turned into a club for the Communist Party. It was not open to the public - just the higher ups in the party. After the war - it was restored to its 1920s opulence.

Finally - today we visited the National Museum downtown. This building is over the top fancy and ornate. Some of the displays were not world class - but the collection of minerals is the best I have ever seen. I taught Earth Science for 33 years - and this is wonderful. I counted 4000 minerals on display - each individually labeled - lighted - presented.

We had breakfast in our hotel - it is included in the fare. We were served on fancy china and silverware - with high ceilings and giant windows. Last night we had supper on the downtown square. Today we had lunch on on Wentsislaus Square. There is a lot of modern shopping in this town. I like seeing the ladies dressed in skirts - dresses - and shorts. They really love American fashions.

I am particularly liking this trip because of its economy. The money unit here is the Crown. It takes 20 Crowns to make a Dollar. I carry 2000 Crown bills which are worth $100. Our room in this 5 star hotel is $70. Our plane ticket here was $100. We have had meals with drinks for $20 to $30 for 2. Museum admissions were $5. We get that wonderful breakfast with our room free. I am not a big beer fan - but this place has it in spades. There are 73 national brands.