Harry Potter Train Travels across Country Borders

Since last time I posted until yesterday, not much happened except classes and minor exploring of Leipzig. However, yesterday and today held many new experiences that I would like to share!

Yesterday we went to the Runde Ecke Musuem in Leipzig. This was the main headquarters for the Stasi in the GDR. It was very creepy learning about and seeing the rooms where these police spied on the lives of the citizens in East Germany. Zach made the comment, "Now this is where big government leads."
Here is a link to a site that will give you more information about the Runde Ecke: http://www.runde-ecke-leipzig.de/index.php?id=76&L=1

Then we went to, what is said to be, the second oldest coffee house in Europe, Coffe Baum.

Today was one of the most exciting days yet. We woke up and got ready for our 11:26 (you don't specify am or pm in Europe) train ride to Prague, Czech Republic. The ride was about 4 hours total with a transfer in Dresden an hour in. We were so surprised we didn't get lost and miss our trains in both of those train stations. Parents, be proud! We arrived in Prague at about 3:30 and journeyed 20 minutes to our hotel. We are staying in this cute place called Miss Sophie's in our own private apartments.

The train ride was beautiful, but most of us slept. (I know this is creepy, but it's the only picture that turned out okay from the train ride)

First sights of Prague

First of all, Prague is beautiful. It might be the most pretty place we have seen yet, which is saying a lot since we have seen some pretty incredible architecture in Dresden and Leipzig. Just walking around the city is enough, but we already had an activity on the agenda at 5pm! We walked to Old Town Prague and had a tour in Klementinum. This is a place which contains the Hall of Mirrors, a gorgeous room where Mozart debuted many of his works. When we arrived, an orchestra was holding a concert, performing Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I know. I died. We got to see the Klementinum Library- or as we like to call it, "The Beauty and the Beast Library." Let me just give you an idea of what this room looks like.

The library was started by the Jesuits who migrated to Prague in the 1600's and the oldest books date back to the 1300's. Keppler discovered many of his theories about astronomy in this very place! We also got to see the primitive, yet genius ways they analyzed the stars and conducted other science experiments.






Next we ate a traditional Czech dinner at a place called Bohemia Restaurant. Apparently, Prague is the place where many of the Bohemians settled. Payton and Emma, sadly I haven't seen anything Bohemian that would match your room. I'm not sure if real Bohemian style is what we've always thought it was!

Then we explored Old Town Prague, constantly in a state of awe at the beauty of the buildings, cathedrals, clock tower, and overall atmosphere. We saw many street performers from fire throwers, to singers, a pianist, and even an old middle eastern man playing a creepy instrument that I've never seen before. The history of the city is rich, and the architecture is the coolest we have seen yet, but that's not all the city is known for. The nightlife here seems crazy- kinda reminds me of my experience in Pattaya, Thailand last summer or Las Vegas. Don't worry, we are being very safe.

I will post more later, but just for your info, our next activity is a guided tour of the Prague Castle- the largest ancient castle in the world.

Enjoy some photos we got on top of the tower at Klementinum.