Prague Castle

It is quite a sight. Ancient (by American standards), elaborate and magnificent. No photos allowed in a lot of the area inside though.
The real action goes on outside though. The guards for one thing. These are the real storybook guys we have seen in all those children books. They stand rigid, without perceptible movement. And they stand all alone. At least that is the theory. But a guard's life is not pure loneliness. Women seem to find them irresistible. They will stand beside them to be photographed. Some of the women will look stern, like the guards do, others will smile and wave for their friends and family back home. Some of the younger ones will grin and giggle at the guards, Some good-looking ones nestle up to these rigid guys who don't appear to notice that a pretty woman is leaning her head on his shoulder. Some even speak enticingly to the guards - since the words were in Czech I couldn't tell what they were saying but you could see the guards blink and swallow. But they continued to look straight ahead. Maybe it IS a lonely life after all.

And there are the musicians performing within 100 meters of the guards. These guys are lively, earnest, wildly gesturing with elbows and shoulders in constant movement and feet stepping smartly in perfect time to various waltzes and tangos and whatnots - Blazing contrast to the motionless and silent guards.



© John Womack, 2006. All rights reserved.
Photos with Canon Elura 70 on SD card.