The bus ride from Dresden to Prague is a quick 2 hour ride, but the landscape changed really quickly. Barely an hour into the trip, first signs of snow across the ground was spotted.
The snow scape lasted for quite a while, and then went back to normal non-snow view.
Although no snow was seen on the grounds in Prague, just a few moments after I got off the bus, I saw snow flakes! The wind was also really strong, and made the cold even more unbearable - not much fun when you are trying to drag your luggage along and navigate your path on the smartphone, so wearing gloves were also tricky!
Prague is the only city on this planned trip that I had been to before, and as such, Prague was meant to be a transit city to get into Slovenia, and I didn't have plans for doing any sight seeing here.
My first order of business was to get a massage since I have been on my feet quite a fair bit from when I started my trip about 3 weeks ago. Massage was fantastic, and very decently priced at about Euro 33.for 1.5hr of traditional Thai massage.
The rest of the time I was randomly walking the streets - of course a visit to the Old Town Square where the Astronomy Clock and the Gothic Church is a key feature, but also this massively huge decorated Christmas tree.
It also appeared that a Christmas market was expected here, but due to covid restrictions, it wasn't allowed to operate.
While randomly walking around the old town, I came across a church which I thought to check out. I was glad I did, as the interiors were stunning with beautifully painted ceilings. Basilica of St James didn't look much on the outside and could easily had been ignored.
Also went off the beaten path to Vítkov Hill - Google maps indicated a monument at the top. Views are apparently supposed to be good here, and it sure was.
There was one thing however I had wanted to see, just because of the timing I happened to be in Prague - Every day in December until December 23rd, a lamplighter dressed in period clothing arrives on Charles Bridge at 4pm to manually light up the gas lamps.
This tradition is meant to bring back the romance of the 19th century, when most of Prague’s public lighting had to be turned on manually every single day.
As my last day in Prague happened to be the 1st of December, I reached Charles Bridge at about 5 mins before 4pm. I waited for about 15 mins, but there doesn't seem to be any sign of a lamplighter. By 4.15, I decided to leave and as I was about to get walk off the bridge, there he was!
A whole crowd had gathered around him to witness the lighting, it was hilarious!
I stayed and watched him light maybe about 3, before deciding to leave and get my last massage (yes, my 2nd!) before I leave for Slovenia tonight.
It's a very long travel, totalling almost 14.5 hours with a 2.5hr wait in Zagreb, so the 2nd massage is very much needed!
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