Brooke Mahanes

As we drove along the autobahn, a large metropolis loomed in the distance ahead and I began to think, "wow, there's Prague!" And then Irene (our tour guide) kicked in over the mic with facts about the city. A rush of excitement took me. From what I had heard, Prague is basically Paris in the '20s.

The bus cruised further and further into the former communist city, and I was shocked to find the architecture of the buildings to be the same as Vienna, but not as well-kept. Apparently in Communist times rent was very low, allowing little money for renovations and restorations. The great thing about Prague is that it mixes the modern architecture which we are all wed to (skyscrapers, etc.); the Baroque architecture which Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich introduced us to; and a new to us (but old) style of architecture, the Renaissance (1300-1500s). According to Irena, the first settlements were in B.C. times, so it's also blessed with early human history.

Our walk to dinner tonight gave me a small impression of this bright, bustling city. I look forward to experiencing it deeper tomorrow morning.

[ Back to From the Performers | Back to Home Page ]

Copyright © 1998 by The Charlottesville City Schools