Jason had a work meeting first thing in the morning on our first full day in Prague so it was a bit of a different day for me. Jason encouraged me to go out and explore the city on my own while he was gone. I was hesitant but I stepped outside my comfort zone and wandered around on my own for a couple hours.
I tried to really soak in the views.
I crossed the Charles Bridge, which had vendors set up all along selling local wares. There was some really beautiful things.
Not too crowded for a Saturday morning (but when we crossed later that afternoon it was PACKED).
I wandered around the Old Town city center, almost getting myself lost because the streets were all at weird angles. But then I found myself on a bench along the river. It was very peaceful so I did a little self reflecting.
Then I met up with Jason and his two sales guys and their wives and we walked across the bridge and up the other side of the city to find a place for lunch.
We took an elevator and several flights of stairs to eat up in the tops of the hill. It was breathtaking!
Jason captured this photo of me (still doing a bit of reflection) trying to decide what to eat.
After lunch we all went our own ways for the afternoon before the big gala. Jason and I headed up the hill some more to explore the Prague Castle grounds.
It's hard to see but that is a cobbled street behind us between those buildings.
Jason likes to take lots of photos from different angles.
A part of the castle. We didn't have enough time to go in and look around because Jason would spend ALL DAY inside. So instead we peeked in and then continued on.
One of the gardens in the castle grounds.
This is the main entrance to the castle - and where we would be coming back for our gala event.
It was so beautiful.
I loved all these sewer covers.
Looking down onto where we had lunch - the white covers above that courtyard.
This was on top of the local Starbucks - looking over the city.
Then we made our way back down towards the hotel, but not before stopping for a drink. I got to pick the pub since I had been doing a good job of picking them out so far.
This one was down a bunch of stairs in some sort of bunker - it was very cool and when we walked in they were playing an old-school Depeche Mode song (my favorite band) so I knew it was going to be good. Jason got a local beer and I got a local cider (they were SOOO GOOD over there).
And a bonus was they had some Olympics on TV!
The Gala was AMAZING! It was hosted at the Spanish Hall at Prague Castle. We entered the on a carpet and everyone outside was staring at us like we were stars or something. Then we climbed up stairs into the hall and it was like being at a royal event (I kept expecting to have to curtsey to a queen).
We entered to waiting trays of drinks and passed Hors d'oeuvres before being seated in this stunning room. I could just envision the royal galas they must have had. It's hard to really make out how detailed and gorgeous this room was.
The Hall is a favorite venue for Presidential Balls and State Dinners. We found out later that it was incredible rare to have an event hosted in that hall. It takes getting the permission of the President to host anything there outside an official event. Most people who live there will never in their life get to be inside this palace. We felt truly honored.
The staff did an amazing job of serving everyone. They would parade in, circle the table until the were behind us, wait for the head waiter's nod then place the dish in front of half of us at once, then wait for the nod and do the other side. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them.
Trying to show just how ornate and beautiful it was inside.
It was five courses of amazing food. The dessert was a sphere of white chocolate with a Manjari chocolate center. They poured a chocolate sauce on top that made it melt and inside was a chocolate company logo.
Night two's gift was a beautiful necklace for all the wives (the husbands of the workers got something too but I don't know what it was). They made all the spouses stand for applause (I like being acknowledged for all that we give up for our busy traveling husbands/wives but would have preferred it from the comfort of my seat. And to make matters worse, they made us stand until we could be presented our gift and at our table the waiter walked right by me to give the rest of the ladies theirs and I had to keep standing until they could bring one from the back of the room.
*Uncomfortable*
Then it was off to the Red Hot After Party, held at the Zofin Palace.
That event was also amazing - lots more food and drink but we were all so stuffed from dinner that we only nibbled here and there. Which was too bad as they had really cool mini stations (mini burgers and fried, mini offerings of flavored popcorn, ice cream, etc.).
The men headed outside on the terrace to enjoy cigars all night while us ladies took in the live band and enjoyed just visiting. They had all kinds of cool pink fedoras and boa's and fun items but we got there so late they were out. But since we stayed so long I was able to snag a hat and boa.
You can't tell but the hat actually lit up with pink lights.
I really wanted to take the hat home with me but we still had a few days in Amsterdam after Prague and a couple flights and a full suitcase. Oh well, I'll always have the pictures!
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