Charles Brug/ Charles Bridge

Die vervelige Feite

Charles Brug is 'n beroemde historiese brug oor die Vlatava rivier. Konstruksie is in 1357 begin, gedurende die bewind van Koning Charles IV, en is in die begin van die 15de eeu voltooi. Tot 1841 was dit die enigste verbintenis tussen die Praag Kasteel en die Ou Dorp en aangrensende gebiede. Dit is oorspronklik "Stone Bridge of Praag Brug" genoem, maar is herdoop na Charles Brug in 1870.

Die brug is 621 meter lank, en amper 10 meter wyd. Dit rus op 16 boë, en is beskerm deur 3 torings. Die Ou Dorp brug toring word beskou as een van die verstommendste gotiese strukture ter wereld. 'n gelid van 30 beelde versier die brug. Die beelde is in barok- styl, en is oorspronklik om en by 1700 opgerig, maar dit is sederdien vervang met replika's.

The Boring Facts

 Charles Bridge is a famous historic bridge that crosses the Vlatva River in Prague. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. As the only means of crossing the river Vltava  until 1841, the Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas. The bridge was originally called the Stone Bridge  or the Prague Bridge  but has been the "Charles Bridge" since 1870.
The bridge is 621 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers. The Old Town bridge tower is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world.
The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700 but now all replaced by replicas.

Die beskilderde koepeldak van een van die ingange.

The painted vaulted ceiling of the entrance

En my eie Waarneming

 As ek in dit in my eie woorde moet beskryf vertel ek van hordes toeriste, van musikante, van kusntenaars en aandenkings stalletjies, en dat die brug 'n hartklop van sy eie het.  En vertel ek van die alomteenwoordige asemrowendheid van die stad waaroor jy op enige gegewe punt van die brug uitkyk.
Die beelde vertel stories van Heiliges, maar vir my is dit simbole van ongelooflike toegewyde en talentvolle vervloë kunstenaars. Dis 'n sprokies- brug, en ek is seker dat as ek in misweer daaroor sou stap sou ek in 'n towerwereld anderkant instap.

And my own Reflection

In my own words I will tell you about masses of tourists, about musicians, about artists and small curio stalls. I will tell you that the bridge has its very own heart beat, and that it offers marvellous views of the breathtaking city. The statues tell stories of saints and religion, but it speaks to me about unbelievably talented and devoted artists of yesteryear.  It is a magical bridge, and I am sure that, if I would cross it on a misty day, I will find myself in an enchanting other world.

 Massas Mense

Hordes of people

 Musikante

Musicians

Die waterwiel is nog in werkende toestad, hoewel dit al vir jare nie meer graan maal nie.

The water wheel is still functional, though it hasn't milled grain for years.

Die opsigter van die wiel.

The watchman of the wheel.

Die ry plastiekpikkewyne buite die moderne kunsmeuseum is saans liggies, en vorm so 'n duidelike kontras met die sober, ernstige grys beelde dat dit nie anders kon as om my te laat glimlag nie.

The row of yellow penguins that lights up at night, outside the museum of modern art, is such a contrast to the stern, grey statues it made me smile.

Op 'n ernstiger noot, hier is 'n paar van die beelde:

On a more serious note, here are a few of the statues:

Volgende keer : In die middel van die ou stad

Coming up: The centre of Old City

.

Praag/ Prague

Om in Praag te wees, is soos om by jou geliefde tannie te kuier. Die tannie by wie se huis jy jou voete op die koffietafel mag sit, en meer as twee koekies mag vat. Die tannie wat jou liefhet nes jy is, en waar jy nie nodig het om jou skoene en kouse heeltyd aan te hou nie. Dis anders as jou ma se huis, maar net omdat hulle eers later saans gaan slaap, en omdat hulle ander soorte kos maak. Jy eet jouself nog steeds knuppeldik, en wens jou ma wil die resep vra.

A visit to Prague is a bit like visiting you favourite aunt's house. Where you feel comfortable. Where you may put up your feet, and eat more than two biscuits if you feel like it. Where you are loved and accepted.  It's different from your mother's house, because you may stay up later, and she doesn't serve the same food. But you can still eat enough, and you wish your mother would ask the recipe.

Praag vou haar arms oop, verwelkom jou, en gaan dan aan met haar daaglikse dinge. Sy is pragtig aangetrek, maar sy lyk al al die jare so, en dis nie net vir jou onthalwe nie.

Prague welcomes you with open arms, makes sure you're comfortable, and then goes about her business. She is beautifully dressed, but that is how she looks all the time, and  not to impress you.

Ek weet nie eers waar om te begin vertel nie. Miskien by die vervoer. Ons gebruik publieke vervoer- trems treine en busse. Dis gerieflik, goedkoop en vinnig. Daar's net 'n paar minute tussen treine en trems en daar is altyd 'n volgende een op pad. Jy moet net jou staan ken. Daar is nie altyd sitplek nie, en nie alle bestuurders trek glad en gelydelik weg nie.

I hardly know where to start. Maybe with transport- without it I wouldn't be able to see all the wonerful sights, would I? We use public transport, mainly trams and trains. It's cheap, easy accesible and quick. there's minutes between trains and trams- you always know another one is on its way. You just have to find you footing, and hold on.

 

 Hierdie is 'n ou trem wat nog naweke gebruik word. Die wat ons normaalweg gebruik, is modern.

This old tram is only used weekends; the ones we normally use are modern.

Die enkele ding wat my hier regtg bang maak, is die roltrappe by die treinstasies. Baie van hulle is skrikwekkend hoog. Ek kyk nie op of af nie, net hier op my tekkies, anders word ek sommer naar. Een van hulle is 87 m hoog, en dit neem meer as twee minute om van een punt na die ander te beweeg. Kyk hier onder:

I am really at ease here, except for the long escalators in some of the stations: they scare the living daylights out of me. The highest is 87m, and takes more than two minutes to convey you from point A to B. But a necessary evil- imagine how long it would take if you took the stairs! And there are not many elevators.

Na die Kasteel- On to the Castle

 Die Praag- kasteel is in in die 9de eeu begin. Dit is volgens die Guinness Book of World Records is dit die grootste kasteelkompleks in die wêreld, met 'n oppervlak van 70 000 m².

Prague Castle was established in the 9th century.  According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m².

Ek gaan julle nie verveel met honderde foto's nie, maar hier is darem 'n paar:

I won't bore you with hundreds of pictures, but here are a few:

 Hierdie is 'n somershuis wat Koning Ferdinand I vir sy vrou Anna laat bou het. Koningin Anna is in 1547 dood nadat sy geboorte geskenk het aan hulle 15de kind, en het nooit haar Reanaiscance- styl somershuis klaar gesien nie. Koning Fedinand het Praag verlaat voordat dit in 1560 voltooi is.

This is the summer house King Ferdinand I comissioned for his wife, Anna. Sadly Queen Anna never saw the beautiful renaisance building completed. She died in 1547 after their firteenth chikld was born. King Ferdinand left Prague before it was completed in 1560.

 St Vitus katedraal (in 1344 begin bou).

St Vitus Catherdral (strated 1344)

 Kyk na die gesklilderde detail:

Look at the painted detail:

Die omruil van die wagte elke uur is baie aanskoulik.

Changing of the guards:

En nog 'n kykie op die pragtige stad van die kasteelgronde af:

And another glimpse from the castle grounds over the lovely city:

Binnekort in 'n volgende vertelling: Charles Brug, Vyšehrad,  en die stadsplein.

Later ook die ietwat grieselrige besienswaardigheid in Kutna Hora.

Hou hierdie spasie dop!

Coming up soon: Charles Bridge, Vyšehrad and the citycentre.

Later- the somewhat gruesome attraction in Kutna Hora.

EK het julle Wene belowe/ I promised you Vienna

Enige iemand met 'n halwe brein sou maan dat 'n dag en 'n half in Wene te kort is. Dit was. Gelukkig het my Brombeer my 'n wals in Wene belowe, wat ek toe nie gekry het nie, so eendag sal ons teruggaan. Vir die wals. Eendag.

Wat kan ek sê van die stad van musiek, wat nie alreeds holrug gery is nie? Van die eerste blik op die magtige Donau was ek betower. Ja, ek weet ek bgin klink soos 'n opwen orreltjie. Dis oud, oud. En pragtig en anders as my geliefde Praag, verstáan ek Wene, want sy praat Duits.

Ons het nie veel foto's geneem nie, want dit het Saterdag katte en honde gereën. So mooi- die grys gereënde strate, met die bont sambrele.  Maar wag, hier is 'n paar foto's

Anybody with half a brain would warn me that a day and a half is not enough to spend in Vienna. It wasn't enough. Luckily Mr Grumpy Bear promised me a waltz in Vienna, and he didn't deliver. So some day he will have to take me back. One day.

I can't say anything about the city of music that hasn't been said before. But I have been enchanted from my first glimpse of the Donau. Yes. I am repeating myself. It's ancient. And Beautiful. But unlike my first love, Prague, I understand Vienna, because she speaks German. 

We didn't take many pictures. It rained on Saturday. So beautiful, wet grey streets, old grey buildings and splashes of coloured umbrellas. But here's some pictures:

Mozart

 Dis die Kunshistoriese Museum.

 The Museum of History and Art

Om die museum sit sulke cherubs

These little cherubs adorn the building

en iemand met 'n sin vir humor het dié een 'n glas in die hand gestop. Nou lyk hy ekstra vrolik! Sommige persone sal dalk daaroor frons, maar ek en my Brombeer het dit vreeslik snaaks gevind.



and someone with a sense of humour gave one a glass, Now he looks even merrier. It may be frowned upon by some, but we found it hilarious.

 Hier is die St Stephen's katedraal:

This is St Stephen's Cathedral:

 

 Daar was soveel mense. Ek het in 'n bank gaan sit terwyl Brombeer die foto's geneem het.

It was packed. I sat in a pew, while Mr Grumpy Bear took some pictures.

 

 Kyk die gekleurde vensters- anders as die prentjies vensters, is dié net gekleurde blokkies. Dis pragtig.


 Iemand het besluit om die beligting in die kerk ook met gekleurde gloeilampies te doen. Is daar nie genoeg prag en praal nie? Ek het nie van die bontspul gehou nie, en soos almal weet, deins ek selde weg van 'n paar blertse kleur.

Look at the pretty coloured windows- unlike the usual pictured windows, these are just squares of coloured glass. They are lovely.

Someone decided to use coloured globes for lighting. Isn't everything in there glamorous enough? I didn't like it, and everyone knows I am not scared of a little colour. But that may be just me...

Hier is die plek waar ons graag gestop het vir koffie- dis net om die hoek van die losieshuis waarin ons gebly het, en blykbaar een van die tipiese tradisionele Weense café's. Die kelners is hoflik, maar baie gereserveerd, en baie baie bekwaam. Die pryse is heel billik. Vir ontbyt het ons daar 'n saggekookte eier en twee varsgebakte broodjies met heuning/konfyt geëet. Die heerlike koffie word, soos hier in Praag ook, met 'n glasie water op die kant bedien. O so beskaafd.

This is the café where we caught our breath a few times. It is just around the corner from where we stayed. Apparently it is one of the traditional Café's. The waiters are competent, but reserved. The prices are fair, and the food and drink sublime. For breakfast we had soft boiled eggs, with freshly baked rolls, served with honey or jam. A small glass of water is served with the wonderful coffee. O so refined!

Nou mag daar van my lesers wees wat agter hulle hande sal proes, as ek sê hierdie was vir my amper 'n groter hoogtepunt as die Donau:

There may be readers who snicker when I say this was as exiting as the Donau. My first sighting of Yarn bombing!

Dis 'Yarn Bombing', en dis gepleeg in Mariahilfer, 'n straat vol wonderlike winkels. Om 'n lelike konstruksie stelasie te verfraai.

This yarn bomb was dropped in Mariahilfer Street, a wonderful shopping street, to prettify some scaffolding.




Vir diegene wat nie weet nie "Yarn Bombing" is 'n soort straat- kuns, soos graffiti, maar natuurlik minder permanent. Dit het in Nederland begin in 2004, en het sederdien soos 'n veldbrand oor die wêreld versprei. Aanvanlik is mense se oorbly brei en hekelwerk gebruik, maar deesdae owrd daar ook spesiaal vir die doel gebrei en gehekel. Ek vind dit plesierig en innoverend, en kan nie wag om self daaraan deel te neem nie. Gaan kyk bietjie hier as dit jou ook intereseer.

For those who are not familiar with the concept of  Yarn Bombing, it is a kind of street art, like graffiti, just less permanent. It was first reported in the Netherlands in 2004, but it took the world by storm. I find it happy and innovating, and I can't wait to take part in one. Go here if you are as fascinated as I am.

In my vorige inskrywing, het ek vertel van die fênsie hotel wat toe nie so fênsie was nie. Want in Wene het ons in 'n nederige losieshuis ingeboek, en was aangenaam verras. Dis binne in 'n ou gebou, maar heeltemal modern. K&T is spartaans gemeubileer, maar beskik oor alles wat nodig is om jou moë lyf te laat rus. Dis skoon en baie gerieflik. Om in en uit die gebou te beweeg het elke keer my asem weggeslaan. Want dit lyk so:

In my previous post I told you about the fancy hotel that wasn't as fancy as it pretended to be. In Vienna we booked into a humble boarding house, and we were pleasantly surprised. Situated inside a very old building K&T is very modern, with all the necessities to rest you tired body. It is clean, and comfortable. And the building is a treat to enter:

En hier staan ek, met my uil-handsakkie (wat my beste reisgenoot naas die Brombeer is), baie selfvoldaan want ek is in Wene, en aan my is 'n wals belowe.

 Here I stand, with my little owl bag (it turns out to be the best travel companion besides Mr Grumpy), very chuffed, because I am in Vienna and a walz was promised to me.

Dis dan my storie oor Wene. Vir oulaas is hier 'n foto van die Donau. Dis deur die trein of busvenster geneem, maar julle kan darem 'n stukkie sien.

This was my fling with Vienna, then. Here is a picture of the Donau, taken through the bus or train window, just to give you a slight glimpse of its magnificence.

En dis hoe die Oostenrykse platteland deur die teinvenster lyk. Mooi, né.

And this is the Austrian countryside. Isn't it lovely?









 En vir julle wat nog dit nog hoegenaamd kan verduur om verder te lees, hier is 'n gedig waartoe my ervaring my gedryf het:

Vienna moved me to poetry, but sadly only in Afrikaans.

Wene

Ek het die Donau gesien

blou, blouer as blou

en ou gebou na ou gebou

beelde in parke

en perde en koetse voor kerke

terwyl ek verbete

aan my sambreel vasklou.

Cesky Krumlov

Ek sit hier, in ons woonstel, in Praag. In Praag! Ja, ek kan nie beskeie daaromtrent wees nie, al probeer ek. Ek belowe dis nie my ma wat my so geleer het nie. Sy het my geleer mens spog nie so nie. Mens wees nederig. Maar soos ek seker al honderd keer gese het, daar is niks, niks nederig aan Praag nie. Dis oud. Dis statig. Dis mond-oophang mooi.
Maar ek wil eintlik vandag van Cesky Krumlov vertel.

I am sitting in our studio-apartment in Prague. In Prague! Yes, I am boasting, because I still can't believe my luck. My mother taught me to be humble, but there is really nothing humble about Prague. Prague is breathtaking. She is ancient. She is dignified.

But today I want to tell you about Cesky Krumlov.

 

 Dis 'n  plattelandse dorpie, wat uit die middeleeue dateer. As vriendin Gerdi my nie daarvan vertel het nie, sou ek waarskynlik nooit eens daarvan geweet het nie. Dis naby die Oostenrykse grens, met die Vltava rivier wat daardeur vloei. Die dorpie tros om 'n kasteel, en kerke.

The country town was established in the middle- ages. I probably wouldn't even know about if my friend, Gerdi hasn't told me about it. It near the Austrian border, and the Vltava river runs through it. It nestles around a castle and churches.

Die Kasteel  The Castle

Die oorspronlike deel van die kasteel is al voor 1250 gebou. Ek gaan julle nie met die geskiedenis verveel nie, maar gaan lees gerus hier as dit jou interiseer.Wat my amuseer is die feit dat die kasteel al sedert die 1700 deur bere bewaak word. Hulle bly in die moot  onder die brug wat na die kasteel toe loop, en oukersaand kry hulle 'n boom vol gemmerbrood, vrugte en ander lekkernye. Julle kan hier en hier meer oor die bere lees, en foto's sien.  Ons het nie geneem nie, daar was te veel mense op die brug. Maar ons kon hulle darem te sien kry.

The original part of the castle was build before 1250. I wont bore you with the history, but you can read about it here. What amuses me, is the fact that bears have guarded the castle since the 1700's, and four of them still do. They live in a moat with a bridge over it. On Christmas eve they are treated to gingerbread, fruits, and other titbits they enjoy. We didn't take pictures, there were to many people on the bridge, but you can go here and here to read more.

Die kasteel begin hier, voor, en eindig doer agter waar die gotiese toring uitsteek. 

The castle starts here, and it goes beyond the Gothic tower at the back.

 Kyk hoe pragtig is die toring!

Look at the lovely tower!

 St Vitus Kerk/ St Vitus Church

Die St Vitus kerk is in 1340 begin bou. Dit word steeds gebruik, en 'n mens mag nie binne foto's neem nie. 

They started to build the Church of St Vitus  in 1340. It is still operational, and picture taking is not allowed.

Hotel Ruze

 Die hotel waarin ons gebly het, Hotel Ruze, is in die sestiende eeu oorspronklik as 'n klooster en universiteit gebou, en grens aan die kerk.

We stayed in Hotel Ruze, which  used to be a monastery and university, attached to the church.

Die renaissance binneversiering pas perfek by die geskiedkundigheid van die 16de eeu gebou. So het ons kamer gelyk:

Its charming Renaissance decor matches the history of the 16th century building. This was our room:

Kyk die lieflike ou plankvloere, en oral hang ou sklilderye. Ons het ongelukkig vergeet om van die res van die hotel ook foto's te neem, maar daar is mooies op  hierdie  webblad.

Look at the lovely wooden floor. Unfortunately we didn't take pictures of the rest of the hotel, but you can go  here to have a look.

En die lieflike uitsig deur ons kamervenster.

The lovely view from our bedroom.

Ongelukkig is dit waar my lofsang van die hotel eindig. Die verblyf was terleurstellend, en gladnie wat ek van 'n vyfster hotel verwag het nie. Te klein handdoeke, en een met 'n gat in! Geen badskuimpies, en roompies nie- net sulke suinige baie klein koevertjies met tort-gel/sjampoe, 'n wattetjie, en twee oorstokkies! Geen pantoffels of japonne nie. En geen sjokolade op die kussing teen slaaptyd nie. Om die waarheid te se, is ons kamer nie eers reggemaak vir die aand nie. Geen bo-lakens nie, en geen koffie en tee- maak geriewe nie. As jy dors word is ietsie uit die peperduur minikroeg jou voorland, of iets (ewe duur) van die hotel se kroeg af.
Eers het ek gedink ons is dalk maar net in Suid- Afrika bederf met uitstekende akkomodasie, want ons drie ster plekke is baie beter as wat dié een was.  Maar ek was verkeerd. Die veel goedkoper, en spartaanse losiesiehuis in Wene, was uitstekend. So, hotel Ruze is net vir kyk. Vir lekker bly is daar sekerlik iets beters!
 Hoekom so grênd wou wees, in elk geval, mag jy dalk wonder. Dis so mooi! Dit het so spesiaal gelyk! En dit was my verjaardag!

Maar ek is nie hier om te kerm nie. Die hotelpersoneel was baie profesioneel, en bekwaam, en die ontbyt was heel bevredigend. So dit was nie 'n slegte ervaring nie, net onbevredigend.

Unfortunately opulence is all there is to it. It was quite disappointing for a five star hotel. Small towels, and one with a hole in it. No small lotions and soaps. No slippers or robes. Our beds were not turned down, and there were no chocolates on the pillow. No tea and coffee making facilities. If you happen to be thirsty you have to go out, or have something ridiculously expensive from the mini-bar, or the hotel's bar. 
I thought that we may have been spoiled by our excellent standard of accommodation in South Africa, but the lovely (much, much cheaper) boarding house in Vienna proved me wrong. Hotel Ruze is lovely to look at, the personnel is capable and friendly, and their breakfast is fine, but, if you want a more comfortable stay, go somewhere else! 
Now you may wonder why we went for something so grand in the first place. Well, it seemed amazing. It seemed special. And it was my birthday. 

Ete en Drinke/ Eating and Drinking

Aan na die volgende. Ek het heuningkoek en tee (dit was my verjaardag!)  gehad op die dek van een van die vele restaurante.

I had honey cake and tea as a birthday treat on the deck of a restaurant.

en dis die uitsig wat ek gehad het.

and this was the view we had.

 Sien, die meeste restaurante het so 'n dek met 'n lieflike uitsig.

Most restaurants have decks to admire the views from.

Maar dié een nie, want Restaurant Catacombs

 is in die maag van die dorp, in 'n katakombe! Vir ingeval iemand nie weet nie, 'n katakombe is 'n ondergrondse begrafplaas. Gelukkig was daar geen teken van die vroeëre ontslapenes nie! Wat van hulle geword het, weet ek nie.

But not this one, because  Restaurant Catacombs is in the belly of the town, in a catacomb. Where the remains of the ancient dead that was buried there, are now, I do not know.

Daar is plekke op die trappies waar ek nie eens regop kon staan nie, en Brombeer moes heeltyd gebukkend trappe klim.

There were places on the stairs where even I couldn't stand upright. Mr Grumpy Bear had to duck the all the time.

Die kos was so-so, maar ons was gelukkig, want die bier en wyn was koud, daar was soveel skoonheid om ons, en die beste van alles, ons was bymekaar!

The food was mediocre, but we were happy. Because the beer and wine was cold, loveliness surrounded us, and best of all, we were together!

Nog 'n paar Foto's

A few more Pictures

 Selfs diefwering kan mooi wees

Even burglar bars can be amazing!

 Die riooldeksels lyk amper almal só

Most of the man-hole covers look like this.

 Die dorpsplein

The town square

Een van die vele stegies

One of the many small alleys.

En 'n laaste Woordjie/
 And a last Word. 

Oral is winkeltjies (veral juweliers winkels) en eet en drinkplekkies. Drank is vrylik beskikbaar, en ons het self 'n hele drankwaentjie op straat gesien, wat deur vrolike javels wat defnitief hulle ware getoets het, beman is.  Dis ingestel op toeriste, so dis nie besonder goedkoop nie (behalwe bier, dis goedkoop). maar die mense is heel vriendelik, en kan meestal ten minste 'n bietjie engels praat. Ons was net 'n dag lank daar, maar dit was te kort, ek sou graag 'n paar dae wou bly. Net nie in hotel Ruze nie.

Fluit fluit, my storie oor Cesky Krimlov is uit. As daar enige-iets is waaroor jy wonder, vra gerus. Ek sal antwoord as ek kan. More vertel ek van Wene.

Small shops (especially jewelery) and eating and drinking places are everywhere. Liquor is readily available, and we saw a liquor cart on the street. The cart's boisterous proprietors have surely tested their merchandise! The town is tourism-orientated, so it isn't cheap (exept for the beer). But the people are friendly enough, and most of them speak at least a little English. We were ther only for a day, but I would have liked to stay longer. But not in Hotel Ruze.

This is my story for today. If you have any questions, ask away. I will try to answer them. Tomorrow I will tell you about Vienna.