Some Trivia About Prague

This is not a travelogue about Prague, and after all, we were only there two days, but I thought I would mention a few pieces of trivia I picked up. Apologies in advance if I get anything wrong, I'm just recounting what the tour guide said, and what we experienced, and as much as my memory will allow. As I am having problems adding photos to my posts, I will publish the trivia first, and it will be followed with a SEPARATE POST with the images. (Sorry for it not being all together. Blame the computer being "difficult".) Trivia Item One: Apparently the first showing ever of Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni" was in Prague, and Mozart had a better reception for his work in Prague than in Vienna. Trivia Item Two: there is a bridge full of padlocks with lovers names on them to symbolize their eternal love. This is a copycat gesture from the novel "I Want You" by Federico Moccia. Trivia Item Three: Czechs like a doughnut type of sweet called TRDELNIK. The dough is wrapped around and around a metal rod and roasted over hot coals, then dipped in sugar. Very popular, both with people and wasps. I ignored the beasties and tried it. It was nice, but more of a bread texture than a doughnut. Trivia Item Four: The Communist Museum and McDonalds are next door to each other. Ironic or what? Trivia Item Five: According to our tour guide, the Star of David, as a symbol of the Jews, was first used in Prague. Trivia Item Six: Prague is a very popular city for Russians to get married in, and they like to have their photos taken in some of the historic locations. I did overhear two "body guard" looking type fellows speaking Russian in front a limosene at the castle, waiting for the wedding party, and also saw Russians having their photos taken on Charles Bridge in their wedding outfits. Trivia Item Seven: Performances of plays and literature are very dear to the Czech people, as there was a movement to try to stamp out the Czech language. So many people wanted to attend live performances that there weren't enough actors to go round, so puppets were used instead. Puppets are still a common sight in a lot of shops and people buy them as souvenirs of Prague. A whole craft industry has grown up producing some very elaborately carved and beautifully decorated puppet characters. Will post images separately in the next post. Tootles for now!