Winter Wonderland in Prague

Winter has arrived! The first snow fall started November 24 and that was the last time I could see the ground. Now it is covered in at least a foot of snow. It is really pretty seeing the roof tops and tree branches covered in snow. I remember when I first saw it snowing here in Prague I was in the tram on my way to work. I was so exicted to see the rain drops turn into snow!

It is really beautiful to look at from inside where it's warm but BRRRR when you step outside you are freezing. It got down to -7C! The worst is when it's really snowy and cold because that's when things go horrible. The trams always break down or get stuck, so you might be in the middle of nowhere waiting and waiting in the bloody cold or sitting in the tram waiting and waiting hoping it will run again otherwise you might have to walk a few miles and figure out you're going to get there. Prague is notorious for having bad drivers and if you add icy snow into the mix, you guessed it, lots of catastrophies. Over 100 people died in one day due to the weather. Like I said, the snow is very pretty to look at from the inside.

What is really great about this time of year is that it is Christmas market time! All around Prague, they set up Christmas markets and large decorated Christmas trees. I live by the Namesti Miru Christmas Market where there are lots of booths selling lots of Christmas goodies. Traditional things they sell would be mulled wine which is a hot wine with spices. It is huge over here and it very different than anything I have ever tasted. They sell Tridel's which is a sweet bread wrapped around a stick and turned over a hot fire. Then they sweeten it with sugar and cinnimon. It is delicious. Of course they have their sausages and meat booths. They also sell Crepes and this fried dough with ketchup, cheese, and garlic. The tree is directly in the center and there is christmas music being played.

There are markets all over town and the biggest of course is in the Old Town Square. They have three times as many booths selling anything you can think of. The tree is humungous and beautifully decorated. They have live music of children singing Christmas carols. No wonder Prague is a highlight of places to see during Christmas time.

I learned though that the Czech Republic are one of the few countries that hold on to their traditions. For instance, they do not have a Santa Claus. Instead, on December 5th, they have an angel and a devil. They walk around the town and ask little children if they have been good or bad this year. If they are good, the angel rewards them with presents. If they are bad, the story goes that the devil takes you to hell. If I was a child, I would be the most obedient well behaved child on the planet. Especially when the parents hire the angel and devil and inform them that their child didnt make their bed. My Dad would have loved that method of me making my bed everyday.

Also, about to come to Prague is Carp! Carp is a fresh water fish that basically are like Turkeys on Thanksgiving. What the Czech people do is set up childrens pools all over town almost on every street corner and have TONS of carp swimming in them. You choose your fish and you have the option of them killing it for you or you can take it home alive. They kill it right on the street by slamming it on the ground and smashing it's head with a hammer. Aw, nothing says Christmas spirit than smashing Carp to death on the sidewalk.

After Christmas, they release all the left over Carp into the Vltava River where they all meet the same fate as their brothers and sisters....DEATH. They can't survive in the river therefore all die. Let's just say I wont be swimming ever in that river.

In two weeks I'll be home in San Diego and would love to see you! I leave to go back to Prague on Jan 1 where my real traveling will begin. Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays :)