Prague, The Czech Republic

So Zagreb didn't happen...and despite all the regrets I just had to accept the fact I had missed a great opportunity and that it was me to blame..and just had to face the fact that that was it..no more DM until the next tour...if there is one in the first place..

well, that's what I was thinking...but then Nataša came to ruin my plans..and Ill be eternally thankful she did...she had this idea that we go to some place else and enjoy DM once more...she needn't have said things twice...I was all up for it...the only problematic thing (for me at least) was the destination and how to get there..we narrowed things down to Milan and Prague...the idea of going to Milan wasn't really appealing to me for two reasons - 1. I've already been to Milan  2. I didn't really like it...so just going to a place I don't really have nice memories of didn't make sense...Prague on the other hand..well I haven't been there...and I so much wanted to go...so Prague it was...and though Nataša may not share the same sentiments, I fell in love with Prague at the very first sight...and it has become my favourite place ever visited, dethroning Vienna after holding that spot for years!  And yes, I dreamt last night I had gone to Prague, so it was like a sign that I should finally get this post done..and I was soo absorbed with emotions in that dream...emotions that only Prague can invoke...need I tell you about my disappointment when I woke up?

My journey to Prague started with a short stop in Zagreb, to 'pick up' Nataša, and I used the opportunity to meet a dear friend as well...which caused some delays but I hope Nataša has forgiven me by now ❤
Prague captivated me at the very first glance..staying there for five days just made my feelings grow stronger and removing any doubts about our relationship...would love to go back there again and just chill out, exploring restaurants, bars and coffee shops while writing postcards...

the concert itself was fantastic of course..and it was on Martin's birthday too, 23 July! Can you believe it?? We didn't have fan pit tickets (they were all sold out of course), but it didn't matter..I wanted to see how it feels to enjoy them from the back..and it was good...and we sang Happy Birthday to Martin.....probably my favourite part of the entire concert since it was in-between "Higher Love" and "Shake the Disease"...two awesome performances by Gore himself...and yes, I do feel extra happy that I got to personally witness the HB moment...totally unplanned, I got to pick a Prague show on Martin's b-day...here's the clip if someone is curious...I know I've watched it over and over again, because both of the songs are among my favourites as well..


it feels so heartwarming to see all those people holding the b-day wishes for Martin (well for me, if you aren't really a fan, then it probably means nothing), and then, as a cherry on top, comes Gahan with a kiss for Martin...and the audience goes wild :)
yes, here I got to listen to "Shake the Disease" live...at each concert there was one new song, so don't tell me it wasn't worth going to all three of them...:P


back to Prague and the postcard...of course I had to send one to myself...ok, actually it was Nataša who wrote it and sent it, I picked it..and that's why i am showing this card in its almost full size...ive already mentioned that it is not always easy to choose what to send to yourself...but I still cant figure out why oh why did I choose this one...cos it was huge? cos I was all like, well I have so many cards from Prague already and this one or that one is very likely someone's gonna send it to me..eventually (I've gotten psychic all of a sudden)...the Jewish cemetery was cool but not like my favourite place in Prague..so yeah, a rather illogical choice...and a proof that size does not matter, so don't fool yourselves about it...

some facts and figures while we are already here...
the cemetery lies in the Josefov, the Jewish Quarter of Prague. It was in use from the early 15th century (the oldest preserved tombstone, the one of Avigdor Kara, dates back to 1439) until 1787. Its ancestor was a cemetery called "The Jewish Garden", which was found in archaeological excavations under the Vladislavova street, New Town. The numbers of grave stones and numbers of people buried there are uncertain, because there are layers of tombs. However, it has been estimated that there are approximately 12,000 tombstones presently visible, and there may be as many as 100,000 burials in all.
Here you can also see the Klaussen Synagogue, located at the entrance of the cemetery.

the stamps sold at the post office were of course, nothing fancy and without the possibility to have a few to choose from...so as usual, it is a boring one...issued in 2011 in a set of two Folk Architecture stamps...and the funny moment when the lady at the counter starts measuring every single postcard...I will never, ever ever understand why someone even thinks of measuring them...i mean, they surely do not exceed the standard of 20 grams...

and funny that earlier last year I also received a card of the Jewish cemetery...but who could have remembered that while in Prague....not me obviously...

and this one comes with a lovely Mucha stamp, from a set of two stamps issued in 2010 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birthday...
When it comes to Mucha, that's a story about itself...and seems I haven't posted any Mucha cards so far, so should change that in the future...

edit: with so many cards, and an avalanche of thoughts, it was bound to happen...i overlooked this one more card from the Jewish cemetery, giving us a close up of one of the grave stones:

CZ-420453

arrived as an official earlier this year...if you can tell me what's inscribed in here, go ahead..it will be highly appreciated :)

and the card arrived with some gorgeous stamps! a
the great train stamp from a set of two issued in 1995, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Olomouc-Prague railway line. Next to it is a car stamp from a set of two Means of transportation stamps issued in 2013...and the last one is just soo beautiful!! Issued in 2002 in a set of two stamps representing UNESCO whs cities. This one shows the chateau complex in Litomyšl
So it would have really been a pity not to include this card as well...even though now this post became even longer than it initially was :)

geez, I just realized how long this post is...ouch! sorry sorry sorry...blame it on Prague! :)
(

Prague, Czech Republic

I know that the majority of my Czech Republic cards come from Prague, but they definitely have some great ones!

This one came as a surprise from Janek...or to be more precise, by his little adorable twins! :)
And theyve chosen such a great card! I know you cant see it properly, but this is a 3D card! I wish someone one day would invent a scanner which could show the depth of the 3 images as well...or show properly those lenticular ones...coz like this only I can enjoy the beauty to its fullest.
The card shows the Old Town in Prague which is also a UNESCO WHS. This is the Old Town Square and the building you see at the very front is the Tyn Church (or The Church of Our Lady before Tyn) which is one of the most preeminent symbols of Prague Gothic style. A funny fact about this church is that at first the towers seem identical...BUT...they are not. One of them is in fact a bit more solid and it is said that it represents the stronger side of the family, the man.
Well, whether it is the left or the right one, you decide :)

And some of the most fantastic stamps ive received on a card! This is actually like a part of the whole sheet of stamps issued in 2009 dedicated to the Krivoklatsko Region - A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The stamp is in the middle and shows Tyto Alba.

Thanks so much to Janek and his twins for something so wonderful!

Prague, Czech Republic

Since im in a rather joyful mood, due to Rafa's achievement..I decided that instead of the initially planned number of 3 cards...that I go to 5 today :)

I guess that the majority of cards im showing you from the Czech Republic, come from Prague, but I do try to give you a chance to see different parts of the city at least.
And this time im presenting you the famous Dancing Building....It was designed by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in co-operation with Canadian architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot (where the previous building had been destroyed during the Bombing of Prague in 1945). The building was designed in 1992 and completed in 1996.
The very non-traditional design was controversial at the time. Czech president Václav Havel, who lived for decades next to the site, had supported it, hoping that the building would become a center of cultural activity.
Well, due to its uniqueness i think, it DID become famous....though i always wonder how does it feel to be on the inside....
Originally named Fred and Ginger (after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - the house resembles a pair of dancers) the house stands out among the Baroque,Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings for which Prague is famous. Others have nicknamed it "Drunk House".
On the roof is a French restaurant with views of the city. The building's other tenants include several multinational firms

the stamp is from a set of 2 issued in 2004 representing Technical Monuments.

thanks for reading. I promise that i wont be making Rafa-related posts for a while :)

Prague, Czech Republic

Last year I was pleasantly surprised with a few cards from the Czech Republic sent by dear Janek. The first one I posted was portraying Franz Kafka. This second one is a huge amazing card showing Prague.

And here is a view of the very famous Charles Bridge or Karlův most as the Czechs would say it.

The bridge is 516 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two of them on the Lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side. The Old Town bridge tower is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, erected around 1700.
During the night the Charles Bridge is a quiet place. But during the day it changes its face into a very busy place, with painters, owners of kiosks and other traders alongside numerous tourists crossing the bridge.

if you wanna read more, ive already spoken a bit of the Charles Bridge at this post.

Janek used a lovely stamp from 2004 showing the Brno church.
I honestly never understood how when even going on a holiday, he is able to find such a great variety of stamps to use on his postcards. Im really happy he does!
Btw, the other picture above and the one on the left arent stamps...they are pictures the same as the postcard, just shown in black and white version. However, the funny thing is that they were both cancelled as if they were stamps :)))))

Prague, Czech Republic (04).

I lovely Prague view which shows the Hradčany Panorama....

Do you know that the castle which you can see on the card is actually the largest castle complex in the whole world with about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide?. Its history stretches back to the 8th century. It's the place where the president of the Czech Republic lives (heh, some lucky guy!). The St. Vitus Cathedral is located in the castle area.

Prague, Czech Republic (03).

I dont have a tendency to include more than one card per post, but since i received these from the same person and they show the same bridges, thats why i decided to include them into one...



these cards are sent from Lucie from the Czech Republic...the card above was requested for a swap, but the one below is sent as a RAS coz she had seen it in my wish list and she thought i may need some cheering up coz of what i had written under the 'mood section'...thank you Lucie...it DID indeed cheer me up a lot...I LOVE this card...the colours make it just sooooo magnificent!!



Prague is famous for many things and one of them are the numerous bridges....the ones on the card show the bridges over the river Vltava, and the most famous one is Charles' Bridge (the second one from the front)

The Charles' Bridge (Karlov Most) construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of 15th century. As the only means of crossing the river Vltava (Moldau), the Charles Bridge used to be the most important connection between the Old Town, Prague Castle, and adjacent areas until 1841. Also this 'solid-land' connection made Prague important as a trade route between east and west Europe. The bridge was originally called the Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) or the Prague Bridge (Pražský most) but has been the "Charles Bridge" since 1870.

Prague, Czech Republic

A nice map showing the town of Prague...well, not whole of it, just a small part..


Well, from the things here, im familiar with the "Karlov Most" or Charles Bridge in its English version...probably one of the most beautiful i had seen...so far on cards only, but would love to be able to go to Prague one day...

im just confused of what those green/red/orange dots represent....with the "M" letters....are they showing an underground line maybe? I dont know, im just taking a guess here...

Prague, Czech Republic