Rob has a day off!

Rob finally has a day off, so where else would we go but, yes, the Communist Museum. Rob loved seeing that it was upstairs from McDonalds (see posters for museum on left side of photo). We both ended up in tears at the end of the video about the Velvet Revolution and then we walked to Wenceslas Square so he could see where all the protests took place. We had just watched footage of Russian tanks moving down the square. And today we see it alive with zillions of people and businesses. Viva La Capitalism. And freedom.



In what proved to be a wonderful complementary activity (though not planned that way), we next went to the Jewish Quarter. We went to the Old/New Synagogue, which dates from the 1200's and is the oldest synagogue in all of Europe. Prague lost 80,000 to the Holocaust and each name is inscribed on the walls of the Pinkas Synagogue, next to the cemetery. The cemetery dates from the 1400's when it was the only place that Jews were allowed to bury their dead. So when they ran out of space, they buried on top of existing graves. There are thought to be 100,000 graves there, but only 12,000 grave stones are visible. They are packed tightly together, all leaning one way or another. Some leaning on each other. They looked to me like little people. Visitors put prayers on tiny slips of paper and put them on the grave stones with a small pebble on top, or sometimes just put a pebble on with no prayer. It makes the cemetery look alive - as if someone has reached out and acknowledged the individual, even though the markings have long been worn away.



We went to dinner at the Havarny Pavilion, which is high above the city. Rob had filmed there the day before and wanted to show me the view. Unfortunately, he chose the day that the "Winter Terrace" was being installed, so we had to dine inside. But for a long time, we had the charming pavilion (and piano player) all to ourselves. Later, a big group came in, and ended up singing "Habby Birzday do you..." I love that pronunciation...









Then we went to a Black Light Theater to see a typical Czech entertainment. It's a blackened stage, and some actors are in colorful outfits, some in total black so you can't see them - you can only see their props. It makes it look like things are suspended in air. The best part was a juggling sequence in slow motion. Very low tech and wonderful. Even had some nudity. "Something for everyone," as Pat would say.

The pianist at intermission played "Hello Dolly" which seemed like yet another sign from dad....