More sights, from the train

More interesting visions from the train as I traveled to Loket on Saturday.

A shocker...

Yesterday afternoon(Monday) the CityElefant train from Prague to Usti nad Labem derailed on a point switch and its first carriage derailed, crumpled into a concrete retaining wall causing One death, the train driver, and injuries to 11 people,2 serious. The accident occurred only a few hundred metres away from its destination.

This was the exact rail line I traveled on this past Saturday and Sunday, traveling north to Usti nad Labem from Prague then Loket. Over that same switch and those same rails. Ach Jo.

Could have happened on Sunday, instead, it happened yesterday. Phew.... Wow, you never know. And CityElefant trains do not go as fast as the Rychle(Fast)Train I traveled on!

Photos: Czech news from the web

UPDATE: Friday, 2 July 2010: Apparently the driver either fell asleep or had a heart attack, since the train was suppose to switch onto the adjoining rails at a speed of 40km.. he was doing 105km!!! The train jumped the track at the switch due to the highly excessive speed. 4 people are still in serious condition in the hospital.

As seen from the Train this past weekend....

As I travel throughout this country, all one has to do is look up... onto to the tops of Hills or "mountains" and it is amazing all the history one can see.

These both were in Usti nad Labem, an hour northwest of Prague (via Train).

An Old Gate

On one of my travels, I came across this old Gate, with an old stone and wood fence for as far as you could see. A gate to an old estate most likely, which has gone into disuse and disrepair. Alas... a pity.

..stayed in Loket's Bílý Kůn (White Horse)

Last Night I stayed in Loket's Hotel Bílý Kůn. It was exceptionally nice. The building was built at the time of the Castle in the Middle Ages and has many famous visitors;

7 stays by the German Poet Goethe(Johann Wolfgang Goethe) from 1807 through 1823 to a 2005 cast visit for the James Bond Movie "Casino Royale"

It is located right on the Town Square in a light shade of pale green. A wonderful terrace in back over looks the river Ohře and the homes below the town walls. A nice relaxing place for an evening glass of wine as the sun was setting. ...and the food was quite excellent as well.

Castle Loket

The building of the stone castle used to be dated to the reign of the Czech king Přemysl Otakar I (1197-1230) but with the finding of a Romanesque chapel which experts consider one of the oldest buildings of the Czech type, it is possible to date it to the 1170s or earlier.

The Town of Loket

First mentioned in documents dating to 1234, Loket became a significant border fortress, and its importance increased due to medieval colonization and related economic development.

Spent the weekend in: Loket

Loket, a small town in southern Bohemia, about 12 km from Karlovy Vary, about 60km from Germany. It is about 3.5 hours by Train from Prague. It is a fortress town, all within the walls of a castle complex 800 years old. A town that fairy tales are made of; on top of a hill, surrounded on 3 sides by the Ohre river. Such a lovely place. Made for relaxing.

Loket castle belongs among the oldest castles in the Czech Republic. First mentioned in decrees in 1234. Famous because Charles IV used to enjoy coming here.

The Top photo: Early Afternoon
The Bottom photo: 8:30 last night as the sun was setting. I enjoyed seeing the different hues and colors throughout the day.

The Lion of the Czech Republic

...on Most Legií (Legions Bridge)

Happy Birthday Mom !!!

Wishing a really wonderful day today Mom! Hope the sun is out and warmth fills your whole day. With much Love - Me.

UPDATE: I am an idiot. This was not my mother's birthday, but her Mother's, my Grandmother. I missed posting this on the correct day of June 21st!!! But at least I sent a card with the correct birthday on it. Phew. Not sure how I did this. Sorry Mom. ;-)

...in Vinohardy

Another from Karlovo náměstí

...as the sun was setting yesterday, I couldn't pass this up.

Strawberry season

Just as in the US, it is currently strawberry season here in the Czech Republic.
Of course, the supermarkets have them, but you see small stands in many places around Prague selling these delicious berries. Here is a stand outside the Flora Mall. Many exits to Metro stations have small stands selling fresh strawberries, which will change shortly to fresh blueberries.

Jahody = Strawberries, for 45 crowns per basket or about $2.10. Interestingly, the baskets are not what you might call heaping full as they would be where I come from...and many times they look a little worse for the wear, perhaps the term is a bit tired... but still, a great price and a great summer treat.

In an open court yard

Byway in Lysa nad Labem

Charles Bridge Dve

Ever see one in a location like this....?

I hadn't until...

This McDonalds is under a Freeway Bridge close to the Florence metro area of Prague. It is entirely under the super structure of the bridge. Take Tram 24 or 8... and you will go right past it.

At least if it is raining, you won't get wet. !!!

Roses in Full Bloom

These are in the Franciscan Garden, showing that the flowers certainly believe Summer is here. There are thousands of Roses here, lining all the walkways in the oasis of calm.

Photo: from Last Friday afternoon

First Day of Summer....

Almost Noon here; Sunny and 54 F. !! Strange Weather this year here in Central Europe.

But, Hey, it is the First Day of Summer... yippeeee!!

Charles Bridge

Beatlemanie ( Beatle mania)

...then, not far from this café, one can find the National Muzeum’s “Czech Museum of Music”. Since there was "Music" in my past avocation and since it was a place I have wanted to visit, I did.

The current exhibition: Beatlemania. The Exhibition chronicles the lives of the Beatles and their music from the early days in Liverpool and initial concerts in Germany, to their break-up and beyond.

But more interesting, it also provided music history on how it was here in Czechoslovakia during the 60’s and 70’s. How the music influenced the kids(my age then as well) here at that time, the music scene, the clothing, and the trends. A time when people made crude homemade electric guitars, amplifiers from spare miscellaneous electronic parts and copy-cat groups formed in order to imitate this new sound and genre of music.