Prague has seen a lot in its history. Empires have risen and fell, wars have raged around it, and yet, it still stands. While it has seen a lot, this means there’s a lot to see while you’re visiting. Beth Brennan, personal adventurer and cofounder of Finding Woo (http://www.findingwoo.com), discovered this firsthand. She traveled to the city, bringing back a unique perspective through her findings and through her camera lens.
The capital of the Czech Republic has been at the center of European history. Some of that history is still visible. Looking down on the city from the top of a tower, one can see rooftops cluster for miles, topped with iconic spires that reach to the skies. Larger buildings look like castles, giving a medieval backdrop to modern city life.
This history isn’t forgotten. Rather, it informs the day-to-day business of the residents. An intricately detailed astronomical clock draws attention in the downtown. There’s an Old Town section of the city, which contains classics like the National Marionette Theatre. Every cafe serves beer, since the city is renowned for this drink. In fact, the main tourism page for Prague has “Beer” as one of its main links, leading to 28 breweries and pubs. Pedestrian walkways are bustling with people. Some are tourists. Some are locals. Some are people plying their trade. There are scores of shops, cafes, artists, and performers hustling for time and attention from the many passersby.
One of the most notable walkways is the Charles Bridge, commissioned in 1357. The 1,700-foot span crosses the Vltava River and serves as a place for vendors to hawk their wares to people enjoying the view. Even Time Magazine notches it at number 2 on the top 10 things to do in Prague.
Although Brennan cataloged the classic works of art, she also captured the more recent, and even the more ephemeral. Street art shares equal time with architecture that is hundreds of years old. The so-called “John Lennon Wall” is a constantly changing graffiti tableau. According to the Smithsonian, the wall first had an image of the late Beatle with some song lyrics, after he died. Western images were considered revolutionary at the time, and the authorities tried to cover it up. Eventually, the artists outlasted the authorities. The wall stayed up until 2014, when a group of artists painted over it with white, which dared other artists to add to it. Now, it constantly changes.
The logo for Finding Woo is a compass, and it’s for good reason. There’s always travel. There’s always somewhere to go, something to learn, a way to grow. Finding Woo is about navigating the world – the outside world as well as the one within your heart – to find your own journey. These “on the road” adventures by cofounder Beth Brennan are about exploring other lands to find out what’s within you.
“Put on your walking shoes and explore!” she urges.
To see photos and commentary from Brennan’s adventure in Prague, visit
http://www.findingwoo.com/finding-woo-on-the-road/czech-it-out/.
About Finding Woo: Created by longtime friends Beth Brennan and Geri Suster, Finding Woo is about navigating the spiritual adventure called life. It is all about play, adventure and even struggle, as these are among life’s best destinations. They encourage people to join the journey at www.FindingWoo.com.
