streets
The great thing about Prague is that everything is within walking distance. Not to mention, there is something attractive and interesting in every corner.
I love cities with unique architecture like these. Its so interesting how central europe's architecture differs so much from the west.
Prague is probably the most charming city i've visited in Europe - no offence to Paris or London. We all know I absolutely love Paris, and I probably ALWAYS will, but Prague, with its pretty streets, wide river, quirky old town, pastel coloured buildings, and AWESOME panoramic views, I couldn't help but fall in love.
Architecture is my number 1 weakness. Streets that look different. Special. Colourful. I'm sold.
Maybe its because I grew up in Singapore where housing estates all look pretty much identical, I find myself being drawn to places where the streets are different from one another.
Considering I'm not super well versed in architecture, and I don't exactly know the different eras and influences, I can't say what I specifically like about each and every building. All I can say is, it is DIFFERENT, and it makes me happy to see cities where each street looks different, houses on the streets are not identical, different colours, different textures, and yet everything is still in a way harmonious.
Maybe its because I grew up in Singapore where housing estates all look pretty much identical, I find myself being drawn to places where the streets are different from one another.
Considering I'm not super well versed in architecture, and I don't exactly know the different eras and influences, I can't say what I specifically like about each and every building. All I can say is, it is DIFFERENT, and it makes me happy to see cities where each street looks different, houses on the streets are not identical, different colours, different textures, and yet everything is still in a way harmonious.
Mini-Story #1: This is the coolest clock i've ever seen. It was first installed in 1412 which makes it... 603 years old. This Astronomical Clock shows not only the sun and moon phases but it also has the zodiac and star sign readings on it. On the bottom of the clock, there are 365 names, one for each day of the year, which is sort of like a name recommendation for people who gave birth that day. What I liked the most were the figurines beside the clock. At each hour, they move when the clock chimes. The figurine on the top left holding a mirror will shake its head, representing that beauty is not everlasting, one of the other figurines represent greed, and that greed will lead to human's down fall, and the Skeleton on the top right, would nod, representing we're one hour closer to death, and that life is finite.
So much thought placed in one clock.
Mini-Story #2: This windows were the 2 windows where they threw people out of them as an act of punishment. Giving rise to the term Defenestrations of Prague. It was not a very high window, probably 2 stories high? According to the walking tour guide, the first time people were thrown out of the window and they placed spikes on the ground. The second time, people were thrown into a pile of dunk, as an act of rebellion and they didn't intend to kill.
In the centre of Prague, there was also a huge christmas tree and market, with the fairytale like church (supposedly the one that inspired Walt Disney - or so people say) glowed in the background.
Not only is the city centre beautiful, at night, by the river, you get to see the colours and lights from the buildings on the other side reflected onto the water. Perfect for a quiet night stroll.
Prague is indeed magical. I enjoyed myself so much during my time there. I can even declare Prague the most beautiful european city i've been to thus far. Many may disagree (and claim paris/amsterdam/london etc. to be the most beautiful), but there is no doubt that Prague is on the list of most beautiful european cities.
Maybe it was the company, maybe it was the 3 full days of perfect weather, maybe it was because it was the first central europe city i've been, but to me, Prague is incredibly charming and romantic.
Plus, its significantly cheaper in terms of cost that the western european cities. Prague is a MUST VISIT.
Hope you enjoyed the pictures and the little stories (and my incessant gushing about how Prague is "beautiful". Thank you for reading ;)
WHAT I WORE
Purple Knit Jumper: GUESS
Grey Touch Screen Gloves: Marks & Spencer
Admiring Streets and Architecture - Prague, Czech Republic
12 February 2015 Prague, Czech Republic
Seeing pictures of the 2 Men Kissing made me curious about the hype over it. Prior to visiting the East Side Gallery in Berlin, I thought that said image would be the most impressive art piece/wall, since it is so iconic and everyone enjoys instagramming pictures of it.
Let me first apologise for using the image as my blog header image. The Kiss was photographed in 1979 and it is a "common ritual for socialist buddies" according to Stars and Stripes. But (and here's why I apologised), THERE IS MORE to the East Side Gallery than the The Kiss.
The East Side Gallery is filled with walls and walls of detailed and impressive street art, some (in my opinion) are so much more interesting/thought provoking than The Kiss. Yet I don't understand why they aren't featured. WHY?
Let me first give tribute to my favourite wall. Favourite for no concrete specific reason actually. It is not the most colourful wall, neither is it the most detailed, but I really like it. Maybe it's because of my love for masquerades and masks. Then again, this wall can be interpreted in so many ways. From that of living in a masked society, to... just pretty masked animal look-a-likes.
In fact, the pictures that are shown here of all the walls are those that left an impression. They made me stop and stare before bothering to snap a photo. They made me go "Wow! how to people paint something like that?!" Honestly, these are such thought provoking images, they definitely deserve more recognition.
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| I found this image to be so haunting. |
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| THIS. IS. GOLD. |
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| This is a gate that use to be an entrance between both sides of the wall. |
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| Check Point Charlie Illustration. |
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| This one really reminded me of Japan! |
Anyway, for my outfit that day, I went with a mostly black and grey ensemble (didn't want to clash with the colours for the berlin wall!) with a pop of blue on top. Never used to enjoy wearing turtle necks in the past, I always thought they made me look like i had no neck or too long a neck. But this one has such a nice colour plus it keeps me warm!
Here's what I wore:
Grey Winter Coat: Coldwear (Similar Here) | Black Pants: Takashimaya (Similar Here) | Black Ankle Boots: Ecco (Similar Here) | Light Purple Knit Turtle Neck: New Look
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| Ending off with an image that shows both side of the berlin wall, a reminder of Divide. |
Hope you enjoyed the pictures of the East Side Gallery. What are your thoughts?
Colours of the East Side Gallery - Berlin, Germany
27 January 2015 East Side Gallery, Mühlenstraße, 10243 Berlin, Germany
The 2nd part of the Belgium weekend trip with my fellow schoolmates interning around europe was spent in Brussels. From what i've heard from people who have been to belgium/fellow interns living in france, one day in brussels is more than enough to visit its iconic places. Honestly, I'm not sure about that, I would probably like to have a couple more hours (well Jerald and I had only 10 hours to spend in brussels) to enjoy the night lights and food more, nevertheless, we had a great time.
Well, before we headed to brussels, Jerald and I woke up bright and early for our complimentary breakfast at the hotel and headed for the Choco-Story Musuem.
Unfortunately we didn't have much time to stay and watch the whole chocolate making demonstration, BUT free chocolates is always a plus :)
Had to run for the train again for the 2nd time on this trip! The whole train running thing is scary. Its like running having mini shocks sent to your heart. Not good. Need to learn to estimate time better and give more allowance!
Unfortunately, we encountered a sad situation while eating here. We ordered 2 dishes to split and share because some of us weren't hungry and we wanted to eat other things like waffles after. When the waiter saw that we only ordered 2 portions he was pretty discriminating, and charged us less as if we were poor students.
Well, maybe we are, and I'm definitely not complaining about getting a cheaper meal, but it's so wrong to discriminate people BASE ON WHAT THEY EAT. Or if they choose to have tap water instead of 5euros coke. Get this whole judgement thing a lot when eating in the EU especially when I go out to eat with Jerald alone. Portions are SO HUGE here, I rather share than let food go to waste because I can NEVER finish. Why do people judge so easily. Its sad.
After lunch, we headed to the Digital Comic Museum. It was really really good. Huge museum which we didn't really have time to visit EVERY single thing, but managed to cover the bulk of it! It was so entertaining to read about the different types of comics and the process in from the individual sketching to the story board to actually forming and printing of the comic books. Definitely made me want to get into a comic series!
So continued to roam the streets until dinner time. I found Mr Bronze man. Remember Mr Gold Man from Amsterdam? Well Mr Bronze Man was just as nice, and he spoke in squeaks. Which was so entertaining!
Also we found Biscuits with a Message. One packaging said "Not only for good kids", and another "This is the Speculoos that will love you back". HOW CUTE IS THAT.
Famous Godiva Chocolate Strawberries everyone else convinced me not to buy and that I could make it on my own.
After walking around for a while with no where to go to, Daryl brought us all to this park that overlooked part of the city. Sadly, the cloudy weather meant not a very clear sunset view, but still, we had a nice walk there :)
That wraps up my short weekend getaway to Belgium. Visiting different cities in Europe is so much fun. The people and architecture of each country (even each city in each country) is so different all so very unique! I JUST WANT TO SEE THEM ALL!!
Can't wait to travel non-stop for 20 days during winter break! So glad for this opportunity to explore and live in Europe. For all the inconvenience and the getting use to a new culture, even sometimes the level of discrimination, being able to see these countries in real life and capture them in pictures, its all worth it.
10 Hours in Brussels
9 September 2014 Brussels, Belgium
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