Monthly Archives: April 2011

Thoughts on Prague

Posted by on April 21, 2011

The Astronomical Clock in Prague

The Astronomical Clock in Prague

This leg of the trip I’m on was never intended to be much more than an opportunity to see some of Europe that I hadn’t seen, before I head off on a cruise from Venice. My three days in Prague was no where near enough time to really explore the city, especially when you factor in a day of recovering from the flight over. Thankfully I should be back here in November for TBEX Europe where I can see some of the things I missed.

Here are some of my thoughts from the few days I’ve spent here: (more…)

Categories: Czech Republic | 15 Comments »

Questions & Answers: April 2011

Posted by on April 20, 2011

Time once again to dip into the mailbag and answer questions about all things travel, blogging and Green Bay Packers.

Irish Polygot Benny Lewis asks: My question: Does the sense of wonder diminish with time over travelling, or do you still come across places that leave you breathless?

No, but things are different now.

There is a sense of anticipation and wonder of the unknown that exists when you first start traveling. Most of that feeling really doesn’t have anything to do with any particular location you visit. It is just part of doing something new. The thrill you get of actually being somewhere new, however, is still there for me.

One thing I’ve done is changed how I travel. For the first 2.5 years, I spent most of my time going from place to place as if they are links in a chain. Now I do more jumping around around the world. Next year I might do things in yet a different way. The key to not getting burned out is to change how you do things.

I’ve been to a lot of places, but there are still far more places I haven’t visited, than places I have. I could travel for several decades and never visit a place I’ve been before, with the possible exception of airports.

(more…)

Categories: Q&A | 10 Comments »

8 Things You Might Not Have Known About the Czech Republic

Posted by on April 19, 2011

My arrival in the Czech Republic means not only a new country for me, but a new installment of “8 Things You Might Not Have Known…”

  1. Prague is the defenestration capitol of the world. If you are like me, you probably love a good defenestration. Two of the most famous defenestrations in world history both occurred in Prague. The first defenestration occurred on July 30, 1419 when seven members of the Prague city council were thrown out by a mob lead by a priest demanding the release of several prisoners. When the city council didn’t give into their demands, the mob stormed the city hall in Charles Square and threw seven people out the window where they were subsequently killed.

    The second defenestration took place on May 23, 1618 when a group of Protestants threw three Catholic representatives of the Emperor out a third story window in Prague Castle. All of the defenestrated survived the fall by landing in a pile of horse manure. One of the victims, Philip Fabricius who was a secretary to one of the imperial regents, was later given the title the “Baron of Highfall”.

    There have been other less noteworthy defenestrations in Prague over the years as well.

    2. (more…)

Categories: 8 Things Czech Republic | 14 Comments »