Prague

Prague took my breath away! Its kind of similar to Paris in the sense that the entire city is like an open museum. Visually stunning and oh so spectacular! So much to see, feel and experience! Its one of those really old cities steeped in history. There's a story behind every rock and history seeping out of every cobbled stone street you walk on. The place gradually grows on you and completely envelopes you before you've bid it goodbye!

But would old world beauty mean anything to two little kids? How would baroque architecture or Medival charm appeal to them? We were not sure but try we did!

When we were at Wenceslas Square, the Dad told them the story behind when he had first heard of it as a kid. I fed them nuggets on the Astronomical Clock as it struck a glorious seven with music and puppets. We imagined the King leading his troops on the Charles Bridge, complete with sound effects. We argued about Hitler's plans and the craziness of WWII as we walked through the Jewish Ghettos. We lit candles at the 14th century cathedrals and stood mesmerized as the multicolored stained glass panels threw off light in the afternoon sun.

But what completely bowled us over was the Golden Lane. A narrow little cobbled stone street just beside the royal quarters which apparently housed a doctor, soldier, fortune teller, seamstrees and a Public House. Some of those quaint little homes have been converted into souvenier shops but the majority have been preserved and kept intact, the way it might have been all those years back. Such a treasured peek into the past...the kids were overwhelmed with the teeny rooms, surprised at all that simple living and intrigued by the primitive chamber rooms (why cant they just call them toilets, ma?)!

At the end of our holiday, I asked the kids which part of the vacation they loved the most. Pat came the answer: Prague!I tried to probe and figure what about the city appealed to them most but did'nt get anywhere. They were vague about it and murmured something about the castle and the clock. I smiled to myself and let it rest. Guess, Prague has had its effects on them too, inexplicable effects :-)