Prague

Have you ever thought that the eternity is very close to you and that you can reach it within 10 minutes of a comfortable flight? Justbuy a ticket to Prague & wait till the plane goes higher than curvy clouds … and you’ll see what I mean. It’s really beyond paradise - to watch those big gray and white plastiline turning into wonderful sculptures of Michelangelo & Belini.

You know I’ve flown to many countries but the clouds above Prague are the most wonderful of all. I cannot explain it that clearly but you can see the difference only when you are over them. Just compare: there are quite often no clouds above Cyprus. The clouds above England are simply foggy things that overshadow the whole sky. Above Russia there is a mix of sunlight and thunderclouds which are obviously not the same as the clouds I am talking about. Italian clouds might be quite close but still they’re more like German ones or Spanish - they all miss something very particular, very Prague-like.

So, under the Prague clouds, unfortunately, you will find a bit less than a paradise because of crowds of tourists & crowds of restaurants but still it’s a great city. Just try to imagine yourself standing at the hotel gate with a map in your hands and with an inquisitive mother at your side you is ready to explore every street of the city, but who actually can;t remember the name of a bus stop. It’s an adventure, isn’t it? Especially when you aren’t really good at reading maps yourself … However, having managed to reach the first quiet street you actually needed, you begin to feel quite proud of yourself. That won’t last long, because as soon as a waiter recognizes a Russian in you, you won;t get any order properly. Have tested that myself, works, unfortunately every time.

The short route between Debenhams & Mark & Spencer is usually prolonged by a little Czech bookshop. God knows why I even bother to flick through Czech books when I don’t even slightly speak Czech. Supposingly, it’s our family “madness”. You know, every family has its own thing to be crazy about. Well, ours are books.

Still, having found the European fashion industry descending even lower than we have expected, we fancy ourselves a piece of true Czech bakery. Deliciously delicious! But we have no right to return without any modish klamotten - it’s a very bad taste, you know. So the trial of finding something for mum begins. Why on Earth does her choosy-picky nature wake up only in a clothes shop? Why has she never become a detective with such an ability to see all the  disadvantages of a garment in one second? Her way of finding every piece of clothing impossible for being bought drives me mad. But I dare say French do have a lot to say in fashion because never had anybody been let down by a fine beige trench. And of course, a soft red scarf to match mum’s dramatic face features. And a clue one - for mum’s eyes. And a green one - it reminds her of her youth.

Not everybody will understand, but these heavy bags were not at all heavy because we were strolling right down Charles Bridge, hoping not to lose each other in a loud crowd of tourists. And the tiverbank was so perfectly situated that it really deserved half a dozen selfies. Me and Mum. In Prague. You cannot blame us.

But a definitely great thing is to go out at night. Imagine you’re walking in a busy street and the evening warms you with the feeling of history captured by stones & transformed into cathedrals & statues. Imagine yourself dashing charming smiles and pretending to be elegant. And even though there are those who somehow always manage to disturb you, it still doesn’t prevent you from singing with the buskers while they merrily play a tune.

And have you ever dreamt of sitting on an old and dirty bench touching frustrated piano keys with your stiff fingers, remembering Beethoven’s “F;r Elise”? Nay, you won’t believe me. Even mum didn’t until I played for her in front of all those people. Quite embarrassing when you forget the notes or mistake keys being so long out of practice. But the cold & solemn approval of St. Lyudmila’s Cathedral ringing bells lightened me up. And as I started by describing clouds, I should say they are very polite in Prague. They always seem to agree with the towers which colour they should wear tonight and what shade of time-tested stone they will outshine this evening. That is why I like this city. It’s dignant but not silently solemn as many other proud cities are.

I hope to come back again one day. I promised I would return to Prague. Not in a year. And not in two. Because one must wait rather long to start longing to come back. You must be really tired of your own city to start dreaming of Prague and its red roofs and narrow streets full of mystery and marvel.

It’s a special world that you are allowed to see but never get used to. That is why only four days & that's why  - so rare. The plane is taking off again in those magnificent Narnian clouds. So it's high time I switched off my phone .

But … I will be trying hard not to forget that incredible feeling of freedom of time .

Prague, stay the same and never dare to change this perfect atmosphere of peace & harmony.
“cause I’m coming back. Soon …

27.08.2014.

***
02.01.2022.
was clearly under a really great impression of The Chronicles of Narnia.

8 years have passed. I haven't been to Prague ever since & have never stopped wishing I was back. Maybe one day … maybe ….

*картинка их интернета*