Prague: Where beer is cheaper than water

I just got back from my first weekend trip and it could not have been better! I went to Prague, which is the capital of the Czech Republic, and it was such an amazing weekend! We left Thursday night around 9 and got there at 10:30-11 AM - Longest and most uncomfortable bus ride of my life, but so worth it. From the moment we left our hotel and went on our way, I knew I was going to be in love with Prague. Usually known for its cloudy skies and cold weather it was actually sunny and beautiful out. I loved the sun because it brought light onto every building which was so beautiful decorated. We were starving so my friends and I got sausage from a stand on the street, and it was delicious.

Don't judge that is was from a street vendor- it was awesome! 

After getting food, we went on a tour of the town and Prague is just filled with amazing history with a blend of modernism. It was different from Florence in the fact that there was actually a town square where I feel like Florence doesn't really have that.

First we headed to the famous astronomical clock located in Old Town Square. I thought it would be bigger in person, but it was beautiful. Every hour it chimes and it attracts a fairly large crowd. While waiting, we got to enjoy the sights of the castle in the background and I got to try hot wine! Waling the streets of Prague felt like you entered a storybook- everything was so gorgeous.

The Castle was unreal looking! 

If Summer and Fall were to mix together, that is how this wine tasted. 

After Old Town Square we headed to Charles Bridge. The walk to this bridge was a treat in itself because of all the amazing buildings. It was like an artist was assigned to each building, getting to paint it and make it unique in its own way. I loved looking at the architecture of each building, especially because it was so different from Florence.

The Detail on this building was just spectacular. 

The Bridge was named after him! 

Walking towards the bridge my breath was lost from the beautiful sight. Especially on such a gorgeous day when the sun was shining, being able to see all of the different color rooftops surrounding the river was spectacular. 

Lawrence in Prague!!

The bridge itself offered spectacular views of the city.

2 swans looking like heart.. on valentines day too! 

After taking in the sights of the bridge, we headed to the much anticipated Lennon Wall. Students and people over the years kept drawing over the wall constantly regardless of the owners attempt to paint over it night after night. Eventually when they got fed up and sold the property, the new owners let people do what they wanted with the wall- because they we're clearly going to do it anyway!

One of my contributions to the wall. A special note for my brother because without him I wouldn't even be able to be in Europe right now!

My original contribution! 

After the Lennon wall we decided to stop at a pub and grab a beer. We were taken to place that just happened to be centuries old... So old in fact that Mozart himself used to drink there! It was a dark place with the coolest interior. We ordered black beer, and I'm not a huge fan of dark beer but it was so smooth. Definitely worth the try! My taste buds are changing and adapting to new tastes and I couldn't be happier about it!

And then, just when I thought Prague couldn't amaze me anymore we left he pub and went to the Prague castle. After climbing what seemed like a million steps, I saw one of the most spectacular views of Prague. Unfortunately, due to an early mass I never got to go inside the castle, but on a positive note I know how a reason to come back to Prague!

I'm so grateful that the sun was out for our day in Prague. It really illuminated everything. After this, my friends and I separated from the group where I had the most amazing idea ever (seriously taking credit for it) and decided to go up the clock tower while the sun was setting. We had a panorama view of the city, and it was honestly beautiful. The way the sun was setting on the buildings was unreal. While we were looking out at the castle, there was a man singing Chasing Cars beatifully and the moon appeared except it wasn't the usual white or even yellow- but pink. The candy cotton sky made the moon an amazing hue of pink. The combination of the moon, the song, the view and just being there with my amazing friends definitely made this the best Valentines day ever.

As if this day could get any better, my friends and I went out to dinner right after. Since I've been in Italy for a few weeks now I have been eating a lot of Carbs, Pork and sauce so I wanted to try something different. We went to a traditional  Czech place and wow my food was delicious. I got a meat platter with potato croquettes and it was so nice to have different types of meat on my plate that wasn't covered in sauce. 

Steak, ham, pork, pork medallions with a creamy mushroom and onion sauce at the bottom..
my mouth is literally drooling at the sight of this food! 

I need to go back to Prague and get this again!

The Fact that this wasn't even my whole day in Prague justifies the fact that it was a perfect city. It was so magical just walking around and taking everything in. I loved Prague and I will go back one day, I wish it was possible to go back again while i'm still in Europe (I could dream) but if anyone ever has the chance to go, I would definitely take that opportunity to do so! 

Food on Saturday

Today, I woke up not feeling so great. I am definitely developing something in my throat, but I bought some (expensive) medicine, so hopefully I'll start to feel better soon!

This past weekend, I had a blast staying in Florence.. This weekend my city decided to take a much needed break from the lingering clouds and the sun was out! The first few days here I thought the rain was never going to stop, which can be frustrating but when it's sunny out you really appreciate how beautiful the city looks under the Tuscan Sun. 

View from my rooftop! 

Nothing like a beautiful view of the Duomo

I started my day getting food with my friend Brenda at this little bakery I stopped by last week trying to find directions. The second you walked in you could smell the yeast rising in the bricked ovens, pastries becoming fat with fresh nocciola cream and the pieces of mozzarella becoming one with the thick tomato sauce on the pizzas. I knew I had to come back to this place, and I'm so happy I did. For only 3.50 Euro, I got: 

Just came out of the oven- Ham and Cheese

The Calzone was filled with sauce and pepperoni and the smaller one was a pastry like bread, so flaky and delicious with cheese and sauce. 

So many delicious options!

So as if I didn't eat enough, my friends and I walked into town to go to a chocolate festival. And I literally don't even know where to begin with this one. When we walked onto the street, there was a group of actors putting on a show. They were decked out in clothing from the early renaissance time and were throwing up flags. 

horrible picture, but you get the gist of it.

After the little show, we entered one of the two tents and it was chocolate paradise. Vendors from all over Italy filled the tent on both sides offering free samples of every single chocolate you could think of. There was even a table where they had Belgium waffles on a stick and drizzling it with chocolate and vanilla, topping it with sprinkles and nuts. It was so hard not to try everything but I wanted to get my hands on everything I could! I ended up trying some pistachio chocolate, which wasn't my favorite but still very yummy. A white chocolate creamy nocciola and the a nocciola truffle. Safe to say my taste buds were extremely happy that day. 

Different types of liquor!

After all of this my friend Brenda and I found an awesome new supermarket right near our house. I'm still not used to the fact that there isn't one big place everyone goes too, but a million (okay 5) smaller places that all have different things. It gets a little hard at times because I don't know which one to go to, but I've only been here for a few days so I'm sure i'll get the hang of it more!