In the summer of 2008, I was exploring the old town of Prague and found a cafe .
The Grand Cafe Orient on the first floor of a 5 story cubist building known as The Black Madonna
was built in 1912 by Josef Gocar, a 31 year old architect.
The first floor was initially a department store and cafe.
Then later on, turned into bank offices,
then it became Center of Czek culture and arts.
Now it is a cafe and houses the Museum of Czek Cubism.
In the cafe, everyone was in pairs or in groups.
I was alone.
Waiters looked on with pity at a young lady eating alone
in this beautiful old part of town.
I chose to sit in the middle so I can see and appreciate
all the angles of this unique architecture.
Just a day before that, I was walking and strolling
the Charles bridge , waiting for the astronomical clock
to strike the hour so it makes the beautiful sound
and tasting a cup of beer in the square with my husband.
I truly enjoy exploring a new place and
sharing the experience with a company of people
but I also cherish that day
when I get to sit alone with my coffee and pastry
staring, observing, and feeling quietly because
Alone is not always lonely.
Which cafes do you go to during your travels?
Which ones made an impression?
Do you enjoy traveling alone as much as you enjoy in company of family and friends?
What reflections do you get when you explore alone?
some of the interesting Places to visit :
Grand Cafe Orient
"One of the café’s sweet specialities is their custard-filled choux pastry “věneček”; in a charming nod to Cubism, the pastry is executed here as a square rather than the usual circle" ( source : grand cafe Orient)
photo credit: https://www.tripsavvy.com/prague-cafe-list-1502130 / Dorian Lee
The Cubist museum at the Black Madonna House
Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_the_Black_Madonna
Church of Our lady Victorious
"This Early Baroque building, dating back to 1611, was rebuilt from 1634 to 1669 by the Carmelite order. The church is famous for its statuette of the Infant Jesus of Prague, originally from Spain and donated to the Carmelites by Polyxena of Lobkowicz in 1628. "
Dancing house
"By architects Vlado Milunić and Frank O. Gehry. It's concept was inspired by the dance skills of the famous film couple – the stone tower symbolizes Fred Astaire and the glass tower, his partner Ginger Rogers"
Franz Kafka House
No. 22 Golden Lane is a tiny house where the Author Franz Kafka once lived. He lived in many houses in Prague . Fans of his work can tour the Franz Kafka museum ( https://kafkamuseum.cz/en/ )
Photo: by Cherry
Charles Bridge
is a medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the early 15th century
Relief of a saint's dog in Charles Bridge
On the Charles Bridge statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in Prague is a well-loved and pet bronze relief of a dog.
Tourists like me and my husband touched it.
"legends speculate the knight and dog may represent loyalty and duty, which St. John of Nepumuk once espoused to his flock and church" Source: https://mymodernmet.com/saint-john-of-nepomuk-dog-prague/
Photo of dog : by Cherry/ her husband
Prague Castle
"is the largest ancient castle in the world. The history of the castle began in 870 when its first walled building, the Church of the Virgin Mary, was built." source : Wikipedia
Photos: by Cherry / her husband
Prague Astronomical clock
is a medieval astronomical clock attached to the Old Town Hall in Prague.
The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still in operation. The clock mechanism has three main components – the astronomical dial, representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details; statues of various Catholic saints stand on either side of the clock; "The Walk of the Apostles", an hourly show of moving Apostle figures and other sculptures, notably a figure of a skeleton that represents Death, striking the time; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months.: source: Wikipedia
photo by: Cherry/ her husband
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